We had a lovely evening last night with the Norton branch of the family. They arrived at around 7pm with fish and chips and we had plenty to catch up on.
After a pretty full on boating day yesterday, today we took things much easier. We set off at 8.30 heading for the tunnel. It was fairly breezy and chilly, but such was the warmth and humidity in the tunnel that as we went in my glasses steamed up.
We passed two boats in the tunnel, and then I could see another in front going our way. It was a boat which had passed us quite a while before we set off, and when we got to the top lock they waited for us, so we had a locking partner to down with. Matthew had been keen to come and do the locks with us this morning, so he and Nigel arrived just after we’d come down the top lock and were waiting for someone to come up the one below. In fact we met boats at every lock. Matthew took over the steering, and while I stayed on board just in case, there was really no need; Matthew is more than capable and I was surplus to requirements. Some of the transitions were pretty tricky too, with boats coming the other way with not much room.
Apart from anything else, it was nice for me to have a proper chat with Matthew about the new school he’s starting next month, and the holiday they’ve just had on the Llangollen.
We got to the bottom I’m an hour, and as there was space outside the marina we moored up for tea and more chat. Once Nigel and Matthew had headed off home, we walked up to the village where the butcher is open on a Sunday morning, to get some things I’d forgotten to get for a cooked breakfast tomorrow. Then we wandered down to the marina for a mooch around, and ordered toasted sandwiches for lunch from the Gonzoozler’s Rest. These took ages to come, and the whole time the sky was darkening. Eventually a few drops of rain fell, so when our food was ready we took it (plates and all) back to the boat so we could sit inside. In fact, the rain came to nothing. After lunch, we moved down to the water point at the Stop House, which turns out to be a very slow tap, and we returned our plates to the Gongoozler’s (Adrian had even washed them up!). After quite a lengthy wait for the tank to fill we headed out of town, past the junction bridges onto the North Oxford.
We were aiming for Bridge 87. There were a few boats there, but there was still space for us, and we spotted a familiar boat a bit further along. Once we were secure, we walked along and spent a very pleasant hour on Momentous catching up with Jenny and Pete, and their dogs who seemed really pleased to see us, for some reason! Late this afternoon the sun has come out again, and I’ve just put a chicken in the oven to roast.
6 miles, 6 locks. (28 miles, 20 locks)
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