Souldern

 Today's Canal - Oxford

The day was generally grey and at times quite chilly. There was a sharp, short shower at one point. Quite a change from earlier in the week.

We set off for our run into Banbury where we were scheduled to meet up with Joanna and Ellie who were driving up from Windsor to collect Jess at the end of her trip with us.

For some time this cottage alongside the canal on the edge of town has had a picture of its occupants: Dink and Malc. The picture is still the same but the outside has had a makeover since we last took a picture.

Just beyond, this waterfront plot is for sale. A local moorer said that it priced at £125,000!

After passing Sovereign Wharf we passed down the straight in the centre of town. Both sides are being redeveloped - on one side is a large Premier Inn. At the moment it feels as if the result will leave the canal feeling rather hemmed in. Why could the local council not have taken the chance to embrace a canal front and open air rather than allow the maximisation of commercial return?

An original working boat, the last wooden hull built by the famous Nursers from Braunston, has been brought here for restoration.

Tooleys dry dock has been here for a long time, defiant against the onslaught of the giant shopping megaliths, but is still going strong and well known for their work and help.

Banbury Lock marks a change in design of the canal, especially the locks. Most notable is the use of single bottom gates as well as very much deeper locks. We paused briefly below to empty the elsan at the service block.

On the southern edge of town we moored up at Samuelson Bridge to await visitors but there was plenty of time for Christine and Jess to cross the road to stock up at Morrisons.

After a lengthy lunch break, Ellie caught a train from the adjacent station whilst Joanna and Jess returned to Windsor by car.

All of the lift bridges south of Banbury for the rest of today's journey are usually shown on maps as normally left open. However the first, Bridge 170, was closed and it was not easy to get ashore or to raise it. It is alongside yet another development site.

Sadly we heard just a couple of weeks ago that the lock cottage at Grants Lock and been badly damaged by fire. It certainly looks a sorry sight. There were four boats waiting below the lock and all of the crews were looking very glum - perhaps not helped that the pound they had just come along was rather low. They insisted that we got on board whilst they worked us through - hence the photo taken from a very low angle.

This is how the lift bridges should look!

Our last lock today was Aynho Weir Lock. It protects the canal from excess flow on the River Cherwell which crosses on the level. The diamond shaped chamber helps pass through a larger quantity of water needed to serve the next lock, Somerton Deep, whose name tells all.

Just after Souldern Bridge we could see several boats moored on the next marked spot but were surprised to find in the midle a free length that was just enough for us to slot in - and it had a tv signal!

When Joanna arrived she came bearing a gift for Christine from Alice, our middle grand daughter who is becoming a rather accomplished artist.

8.7 Miles - 5 Locks