Sunday 21st September 2008

Apparently Osney Lock in Oxford went YELLOW at 3pm yesterday so there are a lot of boats moving today to get off the Thames including Paul, Jo, Mike and Gerry though I think it will be chaos so I'm not going until tomorrow.  Took Bill on the long walk round into to town to get the papers and back via the Broad Face pub and who should turn up but Tad and Chris off Nb Tuppence together with three of the summer relief lock keepers who've finished for the year now, Dan the Hat, Kevin and his springer called Gerry (groan) of Nb Big Ben and Uncle of Only Fools and Horses.  Barking mad the lot of them but great fun.

Monday 22nd September 2008

Walked up to the town the long way again to get a few bits and pieces and set off at 9.30am.  Came up through the lock with a right nutter on a hireboat who said he is a Thames Lighterman more used to massive tugs and barges than narrowboats.  Never, he was all over the place and barking orders like the captain of the Titanic.  Sorted out the expired license at Abingdon Lock - 5 day extension free of charge cos of the floods.  Also watered up and pumped out courtesy of the mad hireboater who left a full card in the machine, thanks friend.  Oh he also tried to turn around and promptly got caught on the weir pillars after crashing into two other waiting boats.  Just as well he's going the other way!  Set off finally for Thrupp off the Thames and back onto the canals in lovely weather though the river is still flowing very strongly.  It seemed to take ages to get to Sandford Lock even though it's only 4 miles.  Usually cruise at 1400 rpm but had to go to 2500rpm to go against the stream.  Much calmer between Sandford and Ifley though very strong again through the narrow section between Folly Bridge in Oxford and Osney Lock and Bridge.  Good job I left it 'till today to move as there was CHAOS at Osney Lock yesterday as I suspected with boats coming down stream crashing into each other and getting stuck on the weirs opposite the lock.  Apparently a little row boat was crushed and a couple of people injured and one even ended up IN the canal.  Thankfully out of Oxford and on up through Port Meadows though here a sudden squall blew up with torrential rain as a final farewell to the Thames.  Finally back on little calm canals with single locks.  Tied up in Thrupp by 7.30pm in the dark. VERY LONG DAY over 10 hours cruising.  Took Bill for a couple of well earned beers in the Boat and was welcomed like a long lost brother, fantastic.

Tuesday 23rd September 2008

7.30am moved Beau off the bridge moorings onto a 7 day mooring space.  Dieseled up off a work boat passing through.  Walked down into Kidlington and got some oil for an engine service plus filters - £20 for 10 litres better than Halfords at £34 for the same amount.  Filters also less than half price.  Auto Parts of Kidlington if anyone is interested just behind the Wise Alderman pub.

Wednesday 24th September 2008

Walked Bill to Kidlington to the vets for his booster injections and also got some special (meaning very expensive!) flea and tick stuff plus worming tablets - no change out of £100 but he's worth every penny.  Came back via the fields and also picked up another 10 litres of oil and the extra filters.  Did the oil change in the afternoon.  A very productive day and a well earned few beers in the Boat.

Thursday 25th September 2008

Found another brilliant walk here in Thrupp, along the River Cherwell towards Kidlington and then back across the fields, about 5 miles altogether.  Cleaned the port side of the boat.  Took Bill for another walk and then to the Boat for a few beers and to say tarra to everyone 'till year after next, or next week, who knows?

Friday 26th September 2008

Set off for Lower Hayford after a walk into Kidlington.  Lovely weather, hot enough to even take my shirt off and sunbathe.  Canal is busy today with lots of boats moving so some delays at the locks.  Tied up and over to the Bell for early doors.  Excellent village pub, well worth a visit.

Saturday 27th September 2008

Walked Bill along the towpath and up through the village.  Set off for Aynho Wharf at 10am.  Caught up with a bunch of lads on a hire boat.  Good laugh.  Tied up by 2pm.  Went over to the Great Western pub at 3pm to be told they're closed 'till 6pm - ON A SATURDAY!!!!  However, back for 6pnm and a couple before dinner.

Sunday 28th September 2008

Set off for Cropredy by 9.30am.  Lovely cruise in fine weather.  Tied up by 4pm on the 14 day moorings and set off via the shop to the Brasenose and the Red Lion.  Had a good natter with a couple of guys off other boats.  Also John off the work boat Nebulae came in too.

Monday 29th September 2008

Walked Bill up the towpath passed the lock and back via the shop.  Cleaned the roof at long last and off to the Brasenose by 2pm.  The new landlord is a fascinating guy to talk to.  He used to own the Blues Rooms in Painswick, Gloucestershire which is famous for having most of the top line R&B band on of the time from both the UK and the USA.  Good afternoon remembering our formative musical years.

Tuesday 30th September 2008

Staying over another day, weather has turned wet and windy and it looks set for the week.  Walked Bill along the towpath and up to the Brasenose for a few.

Thursday 11th September 2008

Exactly what is it about me and rivers?  Every time I go near one it floods.  Maybe that's an omen, stay away from rivers!  The Thames is still on RED so still no movement.  The Little Red Breasted Merganser came back today to be fed and she chased off all the Mallards, good for her.

Hear are some photos of her.  She's only a chick as it seems her wings aren't fully formed yet.

River still on Red and it's still raining so here we stay yet another day.

Friday 12th September 2008

River still on red so Colin of tupperware boat Premiers Crus walked up to Warborough to explore the shop and the pubs, The Cricketers and the Six Bells.  Had a couple in the Cricketers.

Saturday 13th September 2008

Still stuck on red, usual routine with Bill around the lawns.  New boat turned up today from just above Benson Lock, Nb Tuppence with Tad and Chris on board.  Tad's the mooring officer for BW at The Rock of Gibralter moorings which are between Thrupp and Banbury.  Colin has now gone home as he has to go back to work on Monday.  Bill and I found a lovely walk up through lanes and narrow paths away from the main road to go to the Six Bells for a few.

Sunday 14th September 2008

STILL NO GO.  Walked up to the Cricketers for a few beers at 2pm.  Good natter in the bar.  Had a wonderful roast lamb sandwich - yum yum.

Monday 15th September 2008

Called up the Environment Agency rather than the locks as they have a picture of the whole of the Thames. According to then it "could" be Tuesday or Wednesday as long as there is no more rain.  More like Thursday or Friday!  All pubs closed today so quiet play day with Bill on the lawns.  Topped up the fresh water using my new containers, good job I got them eh?

Tuesday 16th September 2008

Guess what? yup still on RED.  Messed around the lawns with Bill and his new friend Ned a greyhound puppy, all ears and legs.  Adam and Claire arrived last night on Nb Chief Cornstalk.  Walked Bill up the lanes to the Six Bells.  Excellent summer (?) beer from Brakspears called Honey Bee.  Very refreshing.  Good giggle with the landlady and the barmaid.

Wednesday 17th September 2008

Adam, Claire and Ned and NB Chief Cornstalk have moved on even though all locks are still on RED.  Walked up the lanes to the shop at about 1pm and had a couple in the Six Bells on the way back.

Thursday 18th September 2008

No change on the river all still on RED.  According to EA could go YELLOW tomorrow.  Walked up to the shops and back via the Six Bells.

Friday 19th September 2008

Got a call from Sylvia at the EA all locks BAR Osney are now on YELLOW, yippee.  So quick walk round with Bill a cup and a flask of coffee and off we go.  Only heading for Abingdon today.  Took a while to get there as the currents are still very strong and instead of cruising at 1400rpm I was using 2000rpm to get ahead of the stream.  Finally tied up and went into to town to explore and do a bit of shopping.  Lovely old town with many very old buildings.  Had a few in the garden of the Nags Head and back to the boat. Guess who's also turned up, Paul and Jo off Nb Repent at Leisure and Mike and Gerry off Nb Tubbs, last seen at Woolhampton two weeks ago yesterday.  They got stuck on the Tesco mooring below Caversham Lock.  SO joined them for a few beers and some snacky bits.

Saturday 20th September 2008

Apparently Osney Lock and bridge are now passable and most of the boats are heading up there asap, it'll be chaos with all the boats waiting at the various locks so I'm waiting until Monday before I go any further.  Found a nice walk for us up to the lock and then through the park to the town centre.  Got the papers and went into the Broad Face for a few beers.  Excellent pub with excellent food too.  Got back to Beau to be invited to a BBQ with Paul, Jo, Mike and Gerry.  Good laugh again.