05-29 Kidlington Oxford Canal

Wednesday 27th May:    Bridie woke early frozen from overnight near frost conditions and we decided to set off early (8:15)  in near perfect conditions, sunny blue sky and slight breeze.  Hardly anyone else on the move as we cruise down the Cherwell Valley.  Some stretches of canal sadly lacking in signs of maintenance or any visible towpath.

At Heyford Bridie had great difficulty raising the lift bridge and she had to sit on it to keep it up.  It crashed down after I had passed through as she was unable to control its descent.  Other boaters reported similar difficulties and one elderly fellow complained that he had had problems and reported it two years ago without anything being done.  Maybe when a boat or it's crew are crushed CRT will take notice?

Stopped at the boatyard to fill with diesel and then watered up before setting off again.  Enjoying the mood until Dashwood locks where we  found a hire boat stuck in the lock unable to open the bottom gates sufficiently to get out of the lock.  A  boat we had passed earlier had warned us of a problem with this gate.  We helped open and shut the gate, flush water through and the boater used a pole to prod behind the gate all to no avail.  The boater behind us came to assist and also had a go with the pole and eventually we managed to force the gate back enough for the hire boat to escape.  Mindful of my time spent painting and the fact that the boat following had been close behind us I let him through first though queues were now forming above and below the lock.  We then decided to brave it and found it not too difficult although we put the first scrapes into the paintwork.  At the next lock Northbrook the situation repeated although this time it was a GRP that got itself well and truly stuck for a while and removed some of his aluminium trim trying to push through.  Again we let a different following boat proceed before us before we dared to try and again queues were again forming in both directions.   Each of the following locks seemed to exhibit the same trait with the bottom single gate not returning flush with the wall and reducing the width for the boat to pass through, though none as badly as the first two.  We did not wish to moor in Enslow, limited moorings anyway and close to the main road, so proceeded on to Thrupp passing along the river section on the Cherwell

to Shipton Lock where Bridie valiantly struggled to open the iron gate of the diamond shaped lock.  Once we were in the lock a boat arrived from opposite direction and the elderly boater came to Bridies assistance with the second gate.  He admitted to having trouble opening these gates too.   Arriving at Thrupp we made slow progress along the lines of moored boats (predominantly Thrupp CCC private moorings) with very limited mooring space for visiting boats.  We eventually found a spot and moored right outside The Jolly Boater -first priority a pint and glass of wine sitting outside admiring our battered boat (again).  Once tidied up we went in for a further pint or two and an evening meal.

Thursday 28th May: Moved another two locks ready for final push through Dukes cut tomorrow and moored below Kidlington Common lock about midday. A mixed cloudy day with sunny interludes not too warm but not too cold either both managing to sit outside for a while this afternoon.   Had the contents of the front gas locker out, two bottles included before cleaned it inside

and then using up a can of hammered silver Hammerite paint trying to cover up the rust.

Restored the locker contents once the paint had dried and attached the anchor ready for the Thames.    Had altercation with crew of Oxford hire boat who left bottom gate open at 6pm.   They insisted the hire base told them to leave the gates open and told me to **** off and mind my own business!  Given that we had experience of having Bridie getting worn out closing lock gates following a hire boat up the Napton flight I thought it was my business!  I went and closed the gate and no further boats came up the lock today.

Friday 29th May:  Change of plan.  We stayed put and watched the squally showers keep passing through.  Never really very heavy but sharp and sometimes long lasting.  For short periods the sun came out and the canal became calm then clouds appeared and the wind got going and down came another shower.  We did attempt a dog walk in the afternoon setting off in one of the sunny spells  and ventured into Stratfield Brake a local nature reserve but had not got far before we got wet! Otherwise managed to catch up with the blog a bit and read some books.