Heading North.

When I woke up it was a little cool once the feet left the bunk. Our thermometer said it was 7c. It soon warmed up and then it was lovely.

At Roundham Lock we met a boat coming down and that was the way for the rest of the day.

We stopped for water on the outskirts of Thrupp, by the Wise Alderman pub. We were soon off though and passing through Thrupp. I had heard a lot about the place, but have never been before. There were moorings available but we needed to get on a bit further so continued. From the canal it wasn't exactly another Stoke Bruerne so there must be more to it ashore. As we approached the lift bridge we spied the services and skips so dropped off our rubbish as we waited. I hire boat hurtled in to the basin and sharp right hand turn but didn't make it. In the end it seems that they weren't coming through the bridge so I opened it for Helen and ended up walking through the moorings to the next bridge hole to get back aboard.

The only view of Thrupp I have.

At Shipton Weir Lock the lock is lozenge shaped. I expect that this is because with only a usual rise of 1ft would not supply enough water to the pound below so the large size lock makes up for the rise. Beyond the lock the canal drops down into the River Cherwell for half a mile or so.

There was noticeable flow on the Cherwell today but it was wider and deeper and the willows made it feel like a river. The old chimney of the disused cement works sticks up on all sides as you navigate.

At Baker's Lock we head up back into the canal. This sign seems a little superfluous to me.

Some narrow boats do go a little over the top with the satellite dish. It must give them a bit of a list.

An old canal warehouse near Enslow.

Either side of the locks round here are these stubby posts with DIS on. It seems there is a little argument as to what they are for, One school of thought is that it wasn't allowed to overtake a boat that had passed this marker and claim the lock ahead of them. Another school of thought is that it maybe that if a boat had passed this marker and was closer to the lock a boat coming in the opposite direction couldn't turn the lock against them. DIS is supposed to mean 'Distance'. I wonder what it really was for, Maybe it was for more than one purpose.

Just before Dashwoods Lock we found a nice mooring in the sun. Helen sat out and did some writing and some crocheting whilst I stowed the anchor and chain and the lifebuoy under the table so it is out of the way. I then put a short splice the the bow line as it had started fraying. It is still lovely here so I will get to sit out with a book for a while.