06-09 East Street, Osney Island, Oxford on the River Thames

Tuesday 9th June: Rather a grey and windy start to the day which was exacerbated by being moored below the weir stream in a rather exposed position with the wind coming straight up the Thames. Had an early wake up this morning not a cow but a swan stuck between boat and mooring getting in a panic and banging on the boat.  I had to loosen stern ropes and let the boat drift out and encourage it to get out with the mop!   Couldn't get back to sleep after being out in the cold at 5:30.  Once ready we headed off downstream for Oxford.  Rather grey skies and ran into a couple of brief showers on the way.  Past Dukes cut this time and then through Kings and Godstow locks and finally moored at the moorings in East Street

just above Osney Lock

at lunch time.  After a few chores and lunch we left the dogs on board while we headed out and did the Tourist bit in Oxford.

We then had refreshments in "Chequers" and dinner at the Slug 'n Lettuce before returning to the boat for coffee and to feed and exercise the dogs.

Wednesday 10th June: Another grey and cool start to the day although too sheltered here to tell how windy it might be on the river.  Paid £5 to stay on mooring for another 24 hour to be able to go and visit the Botanic Garden in Oxford.  Had about 1.3 miles to walk into Oxford and down the High street to the Botanic garden

opposite to Magdalen College.  We enjoyed mooching round the hot houses and noting the temperature difference to the cool air outside. But after a while the weather improved, the sun came out, and it was quite warm out of the wind so we were able to wander freely and see the colours lit up by the sun.

We also enjoyed wandering around the Physic garden reading all the details about plants usage in medicine.

By late lunch time we were getting hungry and thirsty so wandered back into town ending up at St Aldates Tavern near Christchurch for a fish and chip lunch.  Followed this up with a brief shopping expedition, but Oxford was manic with shoppers, students and tourist's - loads of crocodiles of youngsters and oldies playing follow the leader from site to site - so not our scene so we returned to PO to collect the dogs and go for a walk down the towpath as far as Folly's Bridge.