Rediscovery Cruise: Day 10

We had used the measuring tool on Google Maps to estimate that the river where we were moored was about 75ft wide — so we could swing round from our mooring to head back.  The engine went on just before 8, but before we could do anything we waited for a couple of swimmers to come past.  The Adrian pushed the bow off, I held onto the stern for a bit, and the current gently took us round.

It was a lovely morning, before the wind got up a bit.

As we arrived at St John’s lock, a widebeam was just going in.  We paid a visit to the bins while we were waiting.  We would see them at almost every lock today.  That lock and Buscot were on self service, but once we had crossed from Gloucestershire back into Oxfordshire, Grafton Lock had the lovely lock keepers on duty that we’d seen at St John’s yesterday.  The old Radcot Bridge is now over a backwater, and is difficult to see because of moored boats.  The one over the main river dates only from 1790.

The camp site by the glamping place, which had only one camper van in it yesterday, was packed!  Many people seemed to be making the most of the weekend before the Rule of Six comes in on Monday.  There were lock keepers at Radcot Lock and at Rushey.  Next comes Tadpole Bridge.

When we got the Shifford Lock the widebeam was only just going in; the lock keeper then turned the lock for us and saw us down, but as it was now 1pm he also turned the signs to self service as we descended, and imparted the news that it was his lunch break, to a couple of boats now waiting below.  It was a very busy scene at Newbridge, with pubs both sides of the river, and lots of boats about.  They included some electric punt type things, rented from beyond the bridge.

There was a lock keeper at Northmoor Lock, but Pinkhill was on self service.  We thought we’d better get some diesel at Oxford Cruisers, but (apparently due to the pandemic) they are currently closed at weekends.  We’re not desperate.  We pulled in shortly afterwards on the meadows above Swinford Toll Bridge.  Here we have more opportunities to spot military planes, of which we’ve seen lots over the past couple of days, as we’re on the approach to Brize Norton.

24 miles, 8 locks.  (128 miles, 75 locks)