Our mooring last night turned out to be really lovely. This morning there was more sunshine, although it was chilly to start. We set off about 8.20 and were soon at Lower Heyford, where there are lots of moored boats. The lift bridge here is electric, so Adrian had only to push the button.
Shortly afterwards, the church and tithe barn are up on the hill.
At Allens Lock a single hander on a share boat was ahead, and we saw his at each of the first few locks. At Heyford Common Lock, a horse was looking over the parapet one side, and was then joined by another looking towards the lock.
By Bridge 199 is a nice house with a lovely garden, which includes a medieval-style gazebo. It almost looks as though they’ve been having jousting contests.
As we passed the Somerton Meadows moorings, a boat pulled out behind us which we thought we recognised. Talking to the people at the next lock, we found they volunteer at the Crick Boat Show; the chap was one of the moorings managers for several years. At Somerton Deep Lock, the boat in front had trouble getting in because the gate doesn’t open fully — and we also had a real struggle to get in there. I don’t think I’ve ever revved the engine so hard; we also had a top paddle open to try to give us a bit more depth, and three people pushing on the balance beam. Consequently, there are no photos!
Aynho Weir Lock is one of the diamond shaped ones, designed to let extra water down.
Nell Bridge, immediately before the lock named after it, has at some point been covered by a road widening project. We wondered if they’d been allowed to do something like this these days.
We stopped at lunchtime at The Pig Place — only to find they’re closed Tuesday to Thursday in the autumn. The shop is also closed, so we couldn’t spend any money at all, and had to have lunch from our dwindling supplies. The owner came to see us, to say it wasn’t worth opening midweek at this time of year — although as we were the second boat to stop, maybe it would have been. To be fair, the opening times are on the website, but a closed sign on the moorings wouldn’t go amiss.
We passed under the M40 — and will do so twice more tomorrow. Again the motorway bridge has a little lift bridge right in front of it that’s visible from the motorway if you know when to look.
Last lock of the day was Kings Sutton. Just below the lock, the tree which was partially blocking the canal last week has been removed. There was also a herd of young cattle all looking over the fence, which some of even lying down to eat.
We continued to Twyford Wharf and moored up just before the lift bridge. There is the aroma of animal feed wafting across from the mill over the valley.
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