Car Shuffle

 Today's Canal - Oxford

We had about two and a half hours cruise to complete before Mike could collect the car from Droitwich.

We reached our planned mooring sooner than expected, thanks to the early start, just after 8. All three locks needed filling but Somerton Deep (the clue is in the name) was a bit easier to open and shut the bottom gates than we remembered form the past. 

The next lock was less than half the drop of Somerton but the exit under the bridge is such that the bow of the boat is in the shrubs before the stern is clear and able to turn the boat because the canal immediately takes a turn to the right. 

This lift bridge used to be quite difficult to operate when we were last here but it has now been mechanised and proved much easier! 

Some time later, Mike set off to walk to the nearest bus stop which was about 15 minutes away. He left in good time as the online information was rather inconsistent. In the end he was about twenty minutes early but it did indeed arrive and took him to Banbury diverting via several villages along the way. The bus has a sign that its capacity was reduced to 19 for social distancing but there were only about 9 at the most.

A short walk from the bus station to the train station where Mike discovered that he could catch a slightly earlier train to Birmingham than suggested the National Rail website that went into New Street whereas the offered service involved walking from Moor Street to New Street. alas, there were no food services at Banbury station.

The train arrived on time and had plenty of room - only  four or five other passengers in the coach!

It ran a little late along the way but made up by the time it arrived at New Street. Mike was not only looking for some lunch but also a paper. Alas WHSmith in the station had very few papers and not ours at all. He walked out of the station to a nearby Tesco but with no greater luck.

He then checked out the food at the station which was rather limited - many of the shops were still closed but he did find a rather tasty baguette at Pret a Manger, rather more appetising than those on offer at Greggs or Smiths, who had very little choice or stock.

The main station concourse was also very empty - it was hard to believe that this was a Saturday afternoon in August when normally it would be packed with travellers. 

There was still a wait for the train to Droitwich but luckily it was parked at the platform after its previous trip and passengers could board. Mike had his part of the coach to himself and only one other person in the other part! In the past we have found this service to be packed with few empty seats if any.

Mike booked a taxi from Blue Door and it was waiting for him as he exited the station.

Altogether the journey went well but at times it seemed very surreal having a disconnect with the real world!

Mike set off in the car - most of the journey was by motorway and he called at the first service station - he collected the only copy of our paper! Half way rain arrived - Christine had earlier texted go say that she was experiencing heavy rain at the boat so it was not a surprise but the resulting spray made visibility a bit trying. In the end he arrived back at he boat almost an hour earlier than he had feared it might take.

Meanwhile Christine had been cleaning and sorting out. 

5.3 Miles - 3 Locks