Another good night was had, and the sun was streaming through the trees when we got up.
There was a cameraman at Isis Lock as we approached. He wasn't there to record our passing but was taking pictures of a kingfisher that was flying about in the basin.
I noticed that the red warning lights were flashing but it was only on the way back in the lock, after winding, that I saw they explained the way to do the winding in the running waters. We had witnessed two boat ending across the barriers, driven by the current. On the way back I saw that the way we did it, was the recommended way!
In 2013, when still excited about the prospect of running the canal system perhaps, C&RT were contemplating having the canal continued past where it ends now by Hythe Bridge, to where it used to, by going under the bridge to the old basin that had a covered wharf and an extensive coal wharf. It was just a car park at the time, but actually is owned by Nuffield College. This is what it looked like after WWII before being filled in.
These are some of the murals at Frenchhay Road Bridge. They are some of the best I have seen.
As we were waiting to go up Dukes Lock these chaps came and altered the Dukes Cut Thames board to red. I did ask them if the River Cherwell section was open/ I was told they were in warning at the moment.
We stopped for water at the point after Dukes Cut. The Duke's Cut was opened in 1789 and named after the Duke of Marlborough as it passes through his land. It is separated from the Thames by a stop lock just under the railway bridge.
The leaves are still on the trees, but it wont be too long!
There was plenty of room between the Boat In and the lift bridge at Thrupp and we decided to stop as we had never stopped here before. I put the aerial up to get the rugby and the Strictly Results tonight. After the England match we went for a walk, over the lift bridge and through the field. These trees looked lovely in the sun.
The fields must have looked lovely when they were in full flower, as there was still some flowering in the meadow. It seems that this deer was enjoying the grass too.
After getting back we decided to head for a pint at the boat too.
I should have been washing the side of the boat really as the bank is a perfect height. Maybe tomorrow!!
2 comments:
You obviously got through Kidlington Green Lock before it was closed by damage, then. I’d been expecting to read about you being stuck in Oxford!
Hi Adam, we did. And it wasn't us, honestly! We have been told that a boat hit it very heavily, but in the C&RT Notice it says the beam was broken. We think it was one of those with a sawn off beam and made up to full lengths by braced planks. We were then told at Thrupp that Bakers Lock onto the Cherwell was on red, but was only on amber. It is like 'Chinese whispers'.
Thanks for reading Tony and Helen.
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