Tuesday in Oxford

We checked the river yesterday (Tuesday), the caution boards still being on red.  There were signs that the level is dropping.  One of our “neighbours” on the mooring decided they would chance it and headed off down the river like a cork out of a bottle!

This is our neighbour (nb ‘Bumble B’) – brave or what?  The other boat, coming up river, took an hour to get from Osney Lock to Louse Lock (next to our mooring)! Normally done in about 10 minutes tops.

James just had to take a picture of the engine of the boat coming up river in the last picture when it got to Louse Lock.  A Kelvin K1, about 1935 vintage – ticking over at 150 rpm! Superb sound.

We took a walk around the Jericho area which is close to where we’re moored. Now a very expensive area of Oxford to live in but originally built as a working class area.

The Italianate church of St. Barnabas in Jericho.

The huge Oxford University Press building in Jericho.

We took a climb up 13th century Carfax Tower (from the Latin quadri-furcus (four forked)).  It’s where the four major roads at the ancient heart of the city met.

The view North with the High Street to the right and the dome of the Radcliffe Camera (centre) and the spire of Brasenose College.

View to the north east showing Christchurch College and the cathedral church left of centre.

Just showing that we were there and that James overcame his fear of heights!

Our last port of call was the Bodleian Library where had a short tour of the oldest part – the Divinity Hall (with its’ fantastic ceiling) and the old library above it (no photographs allowed)

Our evening was well spent enjoying the company of Jayne, Stephen and their son Thomas, who has been taking advantage of them being in Oxford, and visiting for a few days.  We had drinks on board ‘Chance’ and then went to “Fire and Stone” again for a lovely meal.

Stephen, Doug,, Jayne, James and Thomas half way through the pizza.

Oxford Odyssey

Yesterday was our first full day in Oxford, waiting for the River Thames to go down from its present flood conditions.  We used the day to do some  sight seeing and some serious walking to get some exercise.  Oxford is one of James’ old haunts as he finished his studies here in the 80’s and it was good to see some of the wonderful sights the city has to offer again. 

The bicycle park at the railway station!

We went down to the river to see what it was like – the picture doesn’t show just how fast it was running but, as you can see, the ducks are giving it second thoughts.

We walked down the river and then back into the city via Christchurch Meadows and into the more formal area of Christchurch College.  James is in the gardens with the collegiate church of Christchurch (Oxford Cathedral) in the background.

Doug at the start of Christchurch Meadows (the rugby pitches) looking towards Magdalen College.

The courtyards and quadrangles of the colleges are architecturally stunning.

Looking up the High Street towards Carfax Tower (at the top of which you can get the best view of the Oxford skyline) with just a couple of the “dreaming spires” in view.

The Radcliffe Camera with the Bodleian Library to the right.

The view of the quadrangle inside the Bodleian Library as you enter.

The Bodleian Library quadrangle as you leave.

Oxford version of the Bridge of Sighs.

Our day was a good one with the weather bright and sunny again and some good exercise under our belts.  In the evening we met up with one of James’ old friends for a great Italian meal in ‘Fire and Stone’ in George Street.

A Family Day in Oxford

Yesterday we left Lower Heyford – the day starting bright and sunny and it continued in that vein all day (how lucky are we!). We’ve also had the privilege to have seen numerous Kingfishers on this stretch of canal – they play ‘leapfrog’ with boat as we move along the cut. 

Early morning sunshine and the autumn colours are showing up nicely.

We have been following the River Cherwell for mile after mile over the last couple of days, often it came within touching distance – and it wasn’t long before we got to Enslow where the canal joins the river for a short distance.  Although the warning boards were showing the river well into the amber, it wasn’t flowing too fast and so both boats made the trip to the next canal lock with ease.

Nb ‘Dolce Far Niente’ safely entering Shipton Weir Lock from the River Cherwell.  This is the second multi-sided lock on the Oxford Canal and this one was very leaky – with only slightly less water coming in than going out! 

Just thought we’d show a photo of the man steering!

In the afternoon we moored at Thrupp, after having a quick chat with Maffi, who very kindly walked to the lift bridge and let us both through.  We enjoyed a lovely evening with Stephen and Jayne at The Boat Inn - the food and service were excellent and afterwards we all returned to ‘Chance’ to continue our evening chatting and relaxing.

Today, after leaving Thrupp we were soon down to the outskirts of Oxford…………………

………. and this is the entrance to Dukes Cut, the first chance to get onto the River Thames.  The red caution board told us that the river (at the other end of the cut) is in flood and not fit to travel on. 

Cruising into Oxford we passed a lot of unconventional craft moored along the canal – but this floating shed is about the funniest!

As we got to the end of the canal at Oxford there were no mooring spaces left - and no winding hole to turn and go back - except by going down through Louse Lock and onto the river to wind – so that’s what we did.  Having winded and passed back through Louse Lock, a little bit of investigation by Doug found the two best moorings in Oxford (and the only two!) were still vacant.  All it involved was for us to reverse down an arm of about 300 yards and we’d be there.  

Unfortunately our bow thruster battery is “ill” at the moment and so Doug had to get physical with the boat pole and help to keep ‘Chance’ straight as we reversed.

Here are both boats at the end of the line and the closest we could possibly be to the city centre.  We even have our own water tap! How lucky we are!

The best part of the day came later in the afternoon when our daughters, Frances and Vicki, with partners Kel and Tom, came to see us!  It was an easy car journey for them to get to Oxford from Swindon, where they live.

We had a lovey afternoon and, before they returned home, we enjoyed a takeaway pizza tea with them.

James, Vicki, Frances, Kel and Tom tucking into the takeaway.

A Surprise Visit!!!!!

Leaving our moorings on Friday morning at 8:30 ‘Chance’ and ‘Dolce Far Niente’ continued their cruising onwards down the wonderfully picturesque and intriguing Oxford Canal.

There are some interesting features on the “Oxford” including this wonderfully shaped Aynho Weir Lock.  Having to negotiate the River Cherwell which crosses the canal just before the bridge can be a bit hairy if it’s flowing well (thankfully this time it was behaving itself) and then you’re straight into the lock.  With the shape and size of the lock it’s difficult to keep the boats from bouncing around and hitting the concrete surrounds. We understand its built this way to allow more water into the canal.

We stopped at Aynho Wharf for “a full service” on both boats – water, fuel, toilet pump-out and coal.  Here “Dolce” has swapped places with ‘Chance’ and is undergoing her service.

Onwards to the Somerton Deep Lock (12 feet deep) which is pretty deep compared to most canal locks.  (there isn’t a Somerton Shallow Lock!)

‘Chance’ half way down Somerton Deep Lock – this is why you mustn’t leave the boat windows open when you’re locking down!

“Dolce” at Somerton.  Here’s Jayne working well!

Idyllic countryside scenery – the blue skies prove what a great day weather wise we had again today, with only one short shower to damp down the dust.

A row of lovely old pollarded willow trees – all stumpy and bent!

We moored just short of  Lower Heyford bridge 205 – finding a quiet site just big enough for two boats.  While sitting peacefully doing this blog last evening there was a loud rap on the boat (‘cos we don’t have door knockers!) and, who should be there but Adam of nb ‘Briar Rose’ fame!  A great surprise, Adam had guessed at our rough position from our blog details and detoured from his schedule to make a visit.  Without question, Jayne and Stephen rustled up a fifth portion of grub and we all enjoyed an evening aboard “Dolce” before Adam had to leave us for his journey home.

All snug aboard “Dolce” on a cold night – James, Jayne, Doug, Stephen and Adam. (Good invention – these auto cameras).

Banbury and beyond.

Last night we had a great evening with Jayne and Stephen and Del and Al.  We all went for a meal at  The Red Lion in Cropredy.

James, Stephen, Doug, Jayne, Al and Del just about to enjoy our meal.

Afterwards after our meal we adjourned to the pub’s music room where Del, Stephen and Jayne all had a chance to play some amazing guitars owned by landlord Gary. There were a couple of Brian May models and also a unique Fender Telecaster (rewired!). Accompanied by Del, Al sang some songs for us – including one written and composed by Del and herself.  After leaving the pub the musical evening continued aboard ‘Dolce Far Niente’ until the early hours of the morning!

This morning we left our moorings above the lock at Cropredy.  Del and Al are going in the other direction so we said our farewells to them while they kindly helped us through the lock (probably because they wanted to see us safely gone in the opposite direction!).  It was a real treat to see you both again, have a good winter and we’ll see you next year.

‘Dolce Far Niente’ coming into the Copredy Lock – Jayne, Doug and Del.

On our way.  This is ‘Chance’ at Bourton Lock – the old lock cottage is still in need of repair after many years.  We don’t think there is any road access so it’ll need a hermit to take it on!

Just a bit further on we negotiate the M40, which we’ll experience a bit later on again in our journey.

Banbury comes next, where we moored up to do a bit of Wilkinsons shopping and some very nice pasties were found for lunch.  This is Banbury Lock right by the shopping centre.

It was at Banbury that Tom Rolt had his boat ‘Cressy’ refitted prior to his cruise around the, near derelict, waterways of England in 1939 and which he recounted in his book “Narrow Boat”.

Further out from the town and we moored at bridge 168 for Jayne and Doug to go to Morrisons for the groceries. They came back laden to point of collapse while James and Stephen had just been sitting on the bow of Dolce and chatting! (James is writing this blog!).

On a bit further and we moored up between bridges 170 and 171 – a great little mooring suggested by Al earlier today (thanks Al).

We’ve been very lucky today as the forecasted heavy rain has held off until after we moored up.  We now have only the sound of the rain and the noise of the M40 to lull us to sleep tonight (not too bad).

This evening Jayne and Stephen came on board ‘Chance’ for a meal and a bit of a relax (after the heavy shopping).   

Jayne , Stephen and James just about to tuck into a dessert of lemon torte and crème fresh.

Napton to Cropredy.

We said a sad, final farewell to June, Bob and Phoenix of nb Autumn Myst yesterday as we left the pound at the bottom of Napton Locks to work our way up the flight and southwards along the Oxford Canal.  We’re travelling with Jayne and Stephen on nb ‘Dolce Far Niente’ (DFN) for a while and our little convoy started around 9:30 after DFN had watered up.

Big hugs! Doug with June(!) Bob and Phoenix.

Very kindly, Bob helped us up the 7 locks of the Napton Flight with Phoenix helping as well!

This is the view back towards Napton on the Hill as we reached the top of the flight.  Sadly, the famous windmill is all but obscured by trees these days.

A quick chat as we waited for the second lock at Marston Doles to fill. Stephen, Doug and Jayne with DFN in the lock.

To quote our Canal Companion book: “For eleven dizzy, dreamy miles the Oxford Canal traverses its depopulated summit”  We couldn’t agree more – it’s been four years since we were this way on our last boat. The views around each corner are wonderful and the canal winds its way all higgledy piggledy following the contours of the countryside.      

DFN following us along this lovely stretch of water.

We found super moorings just short of bridge 130 where we soon made ourselves at home.  The weather today has been great and has certainly made drying the washing easy!

Today we carried on our lovely journey along the top pound of the canal the weather, again, has been very kind to us, getting warmer as the day wore on.

The autumn colours starting to look good along the bankside.

DFN following us through the Fenny “Tunnel”.  No longer a thousand yard tunnel, the rock it was bored through was brittle and the top was taken off long ago.

Emergency repairs are under way on one of today’s locks – just a rope was provided to open the gate.

As we entered Cropredy (our mooring for this evening) we noticed the work on the new marina was not going so well.  Spring 2013 isn’t far away!

On our arrival in Cropredy we found good mooring above the lock, and we were so pleased that friends Del and Al on nb' ‘Derwent6’ were waiting for us.  We introduced Jayne and Stephen to Del and Al and arranged a meal for all of us in the “Red Lion” this evening.

We popped into the village for a walk and paid a visit to the “Red Lion” where we booked a table for this evening and, on the spur of the moment, bought a beautiful wall clock made by the landlord’s father.  It’s made from aircraft wood with a very unusual escapement at the top.  We hope it will look good at home in Sussex.