Back Home and Fracture Clinic

We packed the car slowly, but there was quite a lot to take for various different reasons. We were ready to leave by around 11:45 but opted for a final mug of coffee before setting off - we had rolls packed for lunch en route.

In the end it was 12:30 before we locked up the boat and 12:45 (after a visit to the marina office) when we finally hit the road. Traffic was generally quite light especially as it was the first day back to work for many after the long bank holiday weekend (aka Easter)

We made it back home without incident and just about the normally estimated best time.

Today we had to be at Swindon for 10am for Christine's Fracture Clinic appointment. Again, we found them well organised and although busy they got through remarkably quickly.

First an x-ray and then a short wait to see a consultant. It seems that the break is healing well, much as expected (so she can claim to have been behaving herself . . .) and an appointment with a physiotherapist will be made, hopefully before our scheduled return to the boat. A regime of exercises awaits. We were back in the car just a little over an hour from our arrival.

Housekeeping

This would normally have been 'car shuffle' day but as we ended up back where we started this time, that was not needed. Instead we allocated the day to various housekeeping tasks that normally get left 'to next time'.

Christine spent most of the morning sorting out the various clothes boxes, mainly in preparation for the change from the cool to warm or even hot season. This past week has actually been generally remarkably warm.

Mike had a short list of maintenance tasks, none of which was very substantial or earth shattering but inevitably each turned out to take rather more effort than could have been expected. One of the internal bolts to the bow doors has gradually become more annoying: it holds the door closed as well as ever but has lost its ability to stay unbolted, to the extent that just closing the door caused it to drop down into its recess in the door frame. First, Mike tried to see if a little force from a hammer might tighten it up enough but the metal declined to be at all malleable. We had to go in to Banbury to get some bread rolls, both for today and on the way home tomorrow so we stopped off at B&Q to buy a replacement. They had the right size in stock but when we got back to the boat we discovered that it did not have the same 'footprint' as the original, with screw holes in quite different places and overall much narrower and would obviously be a replacement. So, he thought, we will fit he new one at the top where the roller blind hides it from  normal view. At this point, he thought to fit the bottom one at the top (not a problem  being a bit loose this way up, it just drops down out of the way) and use the top one at the bottom. The bought one is now in our spares box where we already had one of the right size left over from Take Five but brass not chrome.

The main task set by Christine was to sort out several of the cupboards with tools and spares bits, as well as a box that had been sitting on a bunk bed for some months! 

The rear deck port locker had let in rain again and as Mike was drying it out, more rain arrived but at least he discovered how it was getting into the locker -  through the holes for the self tapping screws holding the lid hinges. These had to be removed during last year's repaint but they are no longer tight and thus leak. Of course, only two of the three in each hinge would shift. By now Mike was reluctant to drill them out, not sure whether we have the right size self tappers in our screw box. In the process he found some epoxy filler that we bought last year to deal with a similar problem with the screw holding the rear door lock in place. That fix seemed to have worked so let's try it here, by forming a large lump to mould around the underside of the screw, keep them steady and perhaps, may be perhaps, also keep the rain out. We shall see but if not we now have a better measure of what is needed and how long it might take. It might be that bolts and nuts, rather than self tappers is the way to go, especially as there is quite a bit of load placed on these hinges.

Normally, car shuffle day sees Christine giving the boat a good clean through whilst Mike is gallivanting around the public transport system. Yesterday, Christine asked in the marina office if they knew of a boat cleaner and was given a name of someone that does quite a bit of work here. She called immediately and has booked them to come in whilst we are back home - relief!

It looks as if it will be 4 or 5 weeks before we can cruise again, not least as The Arm needs plenty of time to heal properly. Her first visit to the fracture clinic in Swindon is on Wednesday so hopefully we will have a better estimate then (it might advise longer, of course) Some re-planning of this year's route is needed. We had been intending to go down the Nene and onto the River Great Ouse - we have never made it quite as far as Bedford. However, we do know about the manual guillotine locks on the Nene which are rather physically demanding. A route confined to narrow locks will be our first consideration but that will be busier sections than the lonelier parts of the empire that we normally head for in the summer. We shall see . . .

Quiet Easter

The morning service at Great Bourton was not until 11 am so we were able to take the start to the day at a slooow pace.

There was a reasonable congregation - around 25 with a few children and what seemed to be visiting either parents  or grandparents. The liturgy was tailored for the occasion when some of those attending might not be too familiar with what happens. It was led by a retired priest who looked as if she was well known to regular members. 

Afterwards we headed straight back to the marina so that we could fit in a 'proper' coffee before lunch - but no biscuits, too late for that!

After Mike spent the first part of the afternoon preparing our evening meal (a very tiny roast turkey joint and a peach and kiwi fruit upside down pudding)

Later Mike went Cropredy church to complete photographing the grave stones - he did the first part some months ago. Christine relaxing and pottering.

Back in the Marina

Today's Canal : Oxford

Just the final short hop back to the marina today. The weather had turned much more 'average' for the time of year, with overcast skies and a chill in the air. Actually, later it turned better with a smidgen of sunshine in the afternoon, once the morning showers had passed over. Fortunately they held off until we were moored up again.

When we moored yesterday we were the only boat, plus one already there, on a fairly long stretch of good mooring. As can be seen, when we left this morning there was quite a line of boats.

The small group of canoeists (probably from the centre in Cropredy) passed us just before we left and without warning turned to come back towards us and then seemed to play 'chicken', heading straight for us until the last moment when we could not see where they were! 

Later, one of the group paddled up close and was very cross with us because we were taking photos of them, "Very suspicious", he exclaimed ominously. He seemed unconvinced that we were photographing the canal features (bridges at this point), not in slightest interested in them and, in fact, rather wished they were not in the frame!

Then a long line of long term moorings which meant that the canoes could not pass us and so had to stay behind at a snail's pace! Much more interesting was to see our namesake boat.

And so to the last lock of the trip: Cropredy. A hire boat ahead was taking some time in the lock. Turned out that the lady who was working the paddles and gates was not confident to cross over the top gate footboard and so only opened the nearside paddle. As the bottom gates are quite leaky, they reached a steady stage a few inches below full with as much going out as was coming in. Once we opened the other paddle the lock was soon ready.

A new challenge just at the last minute - there was no-one around to open the swing bridge into Swan basin and so, for the first time, we had to do it ourselves. Not difficult to open and come through but closing it had to wait until we were moored, but by then another moorer had turned up and wanted to come across so closed it for us.

The wind had now picked up a bit more but we have now a routine for getting into the mooring slot  - made a lot easier by having a vacant pontoon next to us! Wider target to aim for.

After lunch we drove into Banbury, mainly to visit M&S on one of the out-of-town retail parks, so that Christine could use up some money-back coupons buying new pyjamas for Mike - as with most of the clothes he has on the boat they are hand-me-downs from home use and so these particular items had been declared as having reached the final end of their usable life! Christine was looking for a baseball style hat (but with a bit more style!) that has a wide brim to help keep the sun out of her eyes when steering (hoping that she will soon be sufficiently mended to resume those duties. It took three stores before she found a suitable size and design. We also drove to Morrisons - to get some items for a change of menu tonight. If we had company, we might have to call it party time!

1.7 Miles - 1 Lock

Slat Mill

Today's Canal : Oxford

We were away in good time today with just a short section before the services below Banbury Lock. The weather was quite pleasant although it gradually became a bit gloomier and chillier later with just a few drops of rain.

This moored boat reminded us the lengths some owners will go to find a relevant but unusual name for their boat. We assume this is an all-electric boat.

We arrived at the services with a boat that had passed some time before we set off, still ensconced and doing its tasks rather slowly with rest intervals in between. Once we were able to move up and start our own tasks we had quite a lot to do. As well as most of the water tank to fill, there was also the elsan, glass, recycling and general rubbish to dispose. Not sure how they will fit in the extra food waste bin when it finally makes its appearance. Having the bins under lock and key is rather important in this urban setting. This service block seems to attract enough vandalism as it is.

Once we were through the lock the next obstacle was the lift bridge by Tooley's boatyard. Despite Mike's intention to do it all himself. Christine wisely persuaded the chap from a boat on the upper water point to do it for her!

Alongside Tooley's we spotted Milly M, known to us from our time mooring at Lower Heyford. We think he has been here for a while now.

Responses to an earlier blog hinted that we should look out for Dink as we passed her house (sadly, Malc passed away a little while ago) Alas the only creature in the conservatory today was the rocking horse - and it failed to respond to our wave!

Rather more traffic today - some boaters coming down reported queues of up to five boats but we only had shorter delays. Mostly there was a boat waiting to come down and willing to lend a hand. The first two locks conveniently have bridges just below where the steerer can jump ashore having taken the boat almost into the lock and allow it to drift gently to the end (or with Christine able to slow it down it needed)

The second two locks had no such help so Mike need to take the boat right in and then use the boat roof and the lock ladder to get ashore to work the lock.

We found a convenient stretch of good mooring just above Slat Mill Lock - by the time we had finished lunch we decided to complete the short run to the marina in the morning. The chance of rain this afternoon had also been increased in the latest weather update.

4.4 Miles - 4 Locks

Banbury

Today's Canal : Oxford

There was a bright, almost cloudless sky for the start of today and, unlike yesterday, no wind. Almost opposite our overnight mooring was the Pig Farm, once a popular stop either for supplies or the tea room. Now there seem to be no pigs and despite a sign inviting boaters to stop by, the only items for sale were logs and kindling.

It was very pleasant just cruising along - the southern Oxford has long been rather slow paced, especially if one wants yo avoid a breaking wave which can easily erode the banks. Some of the trees now have leaves but others are yet to block out the sunshine, making for a pretty dappled scene.

A lifeless tree still makes a rather spectacular shape against the bright sky.

We were the second of three boats that arrived at the first lock, Kings Sutton, all at the same time. The one at the front was noticeably slower than the two behind, so we had bunched up between Nell  Bridge and here. However, this gave us a lucky break as the crew from the boat behind offered to let Mike hop aboard and they worked the top paddles to bring the boat up.

As we neared Banbury we could see a sudden large cloud of black smoke. The air was so still that it hovered in the same place, just slowly dispersing. We later discovered online that it was the result of a shed fire at a house opposite the hospital which the local fire brigade were able to tackle very quickly. We could also see that, as it was on the main road into town, traffic delays built up all too soon.

We arrived at Grants Lock as the first boat was just entering at the bottom. No boat was coming down so this meant Mike had to turn the lock. The third boat arrived just as he was starting the fill. Both this and the previous lock have bridges across the tail of the lock which makes single handing much easier. Bring the boat from the lock landing into the bridge hole and as it drifts underneath jump off and then be ready to close the bottom gate. The trick is to judge the speed of the boat so that it has enough momentum, just, to reach the far end of the lock but not too much to run hard into the bumper bar. In any case, Christine was able to use the throttle if it needed slowing down. We did not even need to take a rope off to help, nor did we need a rope after leaving the lock as the crew from the following boat offered to close the gate for us!

After a very pleasant half hour cruise we reached Samuelson Bridge where we found almost the last space for our length was free, very close to Morrisons for a top-up shop. As it was the bank holiday week end and we had seen quite a few moving boats we thought that it was a bit risky to rely on find a space where we moored on the way down, above the next lock and in the main centre of town.

The forecast indicated about 50-50 chance of rain this afternoon but although cloud cover arrived it remained dry - except for about six drops as Mike returned from shopping at Morrisons. This time he was successful at finding the lemon curd, even our favourite brand.

5.4 Miles - 2 Locks

Nell Bridge

Today's Canal : Oxford

Overnight a strong wind had arrived and was predicted to last until lunch time. We decided not to try and move until most of the storm (not rainy) had blown itself out. The tall buildings close to both sides of the canal make a good wind tunnel.

Mike made another foray to Lidl for a few items. Alas he could not satisfy Christine's (and his own) craving for lemon curd - our store cupboard jar ran out after our first day aboard! Alas, Lidl no longer stock it - apparently it did not sell well . . . Sells even worse now. He also tried Holland and Barrett but they too kept much the same variety of jams and spreads as Lidl, just with fancier brands!

11 o'clock and we decided to give it a go - we had a lift bridge and lock just ahead of us with the service block below Banbury Lock. As luck would have it, another boat came past us as we were untying and agreed to leave the bridge up for us - in the end they kindly also closed it so Mike did not have to work out a single handed method for a lift bridge. 

We followed them down the lock - they were filling with water so we took our rubbish and elsan down before emptying the lock, Fortunately no other boat came along. They turned out to be fairly new and enthusiastic continuous cruisers and were on their way down to the K &A, so maybe we will see them again.

On today's route there are quite a few lift bridges (and some former bridge holes) but thankfully none of them are left closed. Nevertheless, in today's wind, it took plenty of concentration to steer through without bashing the sides!

The first lock was Grant's - the one where the lock cottage burnt to a shell a few years back, with nothing having happened since then. We stopped on a useful mooring just above the lock to have our lunch.

As we were untying to re-start our cruise, a boat came charging round the bend just before the lock and made sure that we knew they were entitled to steal the lock from us. No doubt they have yet to learn about the DIS markers. In the days of working boats, such an action would most likely have led to a 'confrontation' but we are in no hurry today as we planned to moor for the night having winded above Nell Bridge

At Twyford we held back to let an oncoming boat to come through the narrow gap between boats moored either side, only for them to suddenly turn into the short winding hole (60 ft according to Waterway Routes, 62ft according to a boater at the next lock who proudly told us that they had turned their 62 ft boat there last year!) without giving us any warning.

Anyway, in the process we learned that they are on a tighter schedule to get back to Oxford in their hire boat having had a delay with five boats in a queue at one lock. So, when we both reached Kings Sutton Lock we suggested they went on ahead and they were duly grateful.

Another pleasant stretch followed - a stiff breeze but much less strong than this morning and so easier to steer. Old and new bridges - the M40 is the third time it crosses the canal since we left the marina.

Suddenly a very low flying transport plane came overhead - we just managed to capture a picture of it. It felt very much larger in real life and even closer to the tree tops! It was too quick to get the camera out when the plane was at its nearest.

We turned in the winding hole as planned - a bit more difficult than it should have been as a CaRT work boat was moored opposite (us lesser mortals are not supposed to moor at a winding hole!) We found some good Armco for tonight's mooring, close to the last of several other work boats. The winding hole is just the other side of the lift bridge, just where the blue boats are.

6.2 Miles - 3 Locks

Banbury

Today's Canal - Oxford

When we awoke there was some light rain - the state of the towpath suggested that it had been coming down for a little while - but by the time we were ready to set off a bit before10, it was dry again.

It was a rather grey day as we set off, under a standard accommodation bridge and then the M40.

After about 20 minutes we arrived at today's only lock - Hardwick. A little way off we could see that a boat was coming up and so we could hover gently and then replace them once they had passed us by. Saved having to tie up in order to fill the lock, and open the gates. We had wondered why they were only using one of the top ground paddles but once in the lock we could see why - the offside one was chained and locked.

To add to the delays in the lock, only one bottom gate paddle was working. This one looks as if it is chained and locked by a determined gaoler!

The entry into Banbury is marked by Dink and Malc's house - we know it is theirs as the sign top left says so, and has done so for many years. However, we have no idea who they are! It makes a useful landmark, were one needed. The imminent arrival of various industrial sites is another clue.

When we passed here in 2020 and again in 2021 (see here and here) the site was for sale. It was then only scrub land but it was obviously bought by an enthusiast who has put a lot of work into making a smart mooring.

We passed Sovereign Wharf (only open on Fridays!) and so knew that the main town centre moorings, just beyond Tom Rolt Bridge were now only moments away. This always a nervous moment (would we be able to moor?) but we soon saw that there were plenty of free spaces. We were tied up just after 11 - so not a long cruise!

The plan was to visit the town centre for a bit of retail therapy - Christine had already noted that Roman, Trespass, White Stuff, Grape Tree and several other outlets had a presence here, mostly in the Castle Quay shopping centre opposite our mooring. She had thought that there was a Body Shop but alas that turned out to have closed down.

After coffee, Mike made a quick trip to the nearby Lidl to get some milk. We opted to leave shopping until after lunch!

We collected so many items in the first two shops that Mike had to make a quick return trip to drop them off on the boat. At White Stuff, Christine found a cardigan that she fancied but was then persuaded (by a combination of Mike and the sales person) to find a top to go with it. She also checked out the items we had seen in an unsolicited ad for Roman - but will probably order those on-line when we return home.

There were supposed to be some afternoon photos but alas they disappeared into the ether in the process of uploading from the phone to laptop!

2,3 Miles - 1 Lock

On the move

Today's Canal - Oxford

With today's forecast being quite reasonable, and tomorrow's rather uncertain, we opted to make a move today. After filling up with water and disposing of rubbish we were ready to untie.

A stroke of luck - Black Swan (the on-site engineers) were moving a boat out of our basin to their dry dock and so had already opened the swing bridge between the two. They also offered to close up after we had passed through.

As we made our way to the marina entrance the sun shone even though a breeze had picked up a little. We turned right to head towards  Banbury,

After a short, level cruise we arrived at our first real test - Cropredy Lock. With Christine not able to steer or work the lock, it was time for Mike to brush up his single-handing skills. At least these are narrow locks so not as difficult to control the boat in the lock as with wide ones.

All went well - obviously it took a bit longer than usual as Mike had to walk back to the boat to bring it into the lock, Normally this would be the role of the steerer once the lock was made ready. This lock also has the advantage of a bridge immediately below the lock which means that the boat can hover here whilst the gates are closed behind it on the way out. We also had help from two very small children, keen to join in the experience. Christine was able operate the throttle so that Mike did not have to bow haul the boat out.

Just after the road bridge in Cropredy, the fuel boat Dusty (now part of the Jules Fuels 'empire') was tied up at the wharf to take on a fresh load of solid fuel for its next deliveries. This boat has been a well-known supplier along this canal for many years, with several different people in charge.

Next came Slat Mill Lock where we repeated the process, except that with no bridge below, we had to tie onto the lock landing bollards whilst Mike went back to close up the bottom gates after we had passed through.

Our last lock of the morning was Little Bourton Lock where the former lock cottage has been under restoration for almost a couple of decades in our time of passing this way. Newly planted flower troughs at the front suggest that someone is still taking an interest, but it does look far from habitable yet.

There are few good moorings between here and the centre of Banbury so we opted to pull in a couple of boat lengths beyond the lower lock landing at the last of the Armco for some time. The motorway is audibly close (some degree of traffic noise is inevitable until after Banbury. The main downside is that our mobile signals are slow and probably not able to support streaming tonight. 

After lunch we decided to quit whilst ahead (as it were) and stay put for the rest of the day. At least we have proved that we can still make progress whilst Christine's recuperation continues. Our distance cruised was not great - two and a half hours - but quite a bit was slow with moored boats and at Slat Mill we had to wait whilst a boat waiting ahead, worked down. In the circumstances we felt quite satisfied with progress! We even remembered to take a few photos.

2.7 Miles - 3 Locks

More Recuperation

Still not yet ready to venture out from the marina by water, we went to the parish church in the village for the morning service for Palm Sunday. Whilst we were told that they do get a number of boater visitors, both passing in through and those staying at the marina, we appeared to be the only non-locals today.

The service was - for a present day small village - quite reasonable, 40-50, and was led by the vicar Sarah. It was a straight forward Service of the Word, special for Palm Sunday, but did include a procession all around the outside of the churchyard, complete with a real donkey, which was allowed briefly to come into the church to lead us out, waving our palms. (It behaved 'impeccably'!) We were supposed to be singing a well-known hymn but as most of us were left behind by a donkey keen to get back (to its next feed?) we were stretched out and could not always hear each other and which verse we were suppose to be at! It was a bit early for the Red Lion but, afterwards on our way back, we did notice that there were plenty of customers at the small Mulberry Cafe. 

Back at the boat we set about some serious and dedicated recuperation, until it was time to prepare the evening Sunday Roast. However we did give a little thought to planning the days ahead - but we shall have to see how we are in the morning. Christine would quite like to visit some of he shops in Banbury sometime - either by car or by boat!

Virtual Shakedown Cruise

We came back to the boat yesterday, arriving around noon after a straightforward drive with few delays. This was meant to be our usual start-of-season shakedown cruise where we find out what facilities need fixing before setting off on a major summer voyage. We had hoped to be off a few days ago but other things found their way into the diary so it was not until yesterday, Friday that we finally got away.

A couple of weeks back we spent a couple of nights in a small apartment made from an old wharf building in Gloucester Docks. The initial purpose was to attend a special service at the cathedral but we also managed to tack on visits to a couple of long standing friends from our time in Cornwall. One now lives in Dymock and the other in Cheltenham.

Alas, as we were walking from the apartment to the cathedral, Christine tripped on the rough cobble stones and fell heavily on her left arm. Helped to her feet with the aid of several passers by, she thought that it was only bruised but by the next morning there was no avoiding the fact that something more was amiss. Monday morning and we presented ourselves at Gloucester Hospital A&E where Christine was  very speedily triaged and x-rayed. Her upper arm was broken - together with a now horrendous bruise to her elbow and lower arm. The only treatment is rest and she was given a sling to hold the arm in position. At least we were able to complete our planned visit before returning home.

It is clearly going to be at least the scheduled six weeks before she will be able to have reasonable use of the left arm but we opted to come up to the boat and to see how things move forward. At least it will be a change of scenery.

After lunch yesterday Mike had some work to do on the hob - mainly to attempt to replace the thermocouple on one of the rings. All four of them had been taking a long time to latch on and maintain the gas flow but as each  thermocouple is just under £30, we did not want to splash out on four until we could be sure of our ability to make the swap. This model from Thetford is no longer manufactured and newer ones have a very different foot print for setting into the worktop. We thought we had found one on a camping/caravanning website but after first taking our money and confirming the order, they eventually said that they could no longer supply it! A repair was about the only sensible option so we ordered one thermocouple for the worst offender. At the same time we also found a source for replacement screws that hold each burner in place. One has needed replacing for some time.

Mike tackled the screw issue first, thinking it to be the easier and more obvious task. Wrong! The main part of the screw/bolt was still in place and resolutely resisted removal. After a lot of aggravation an adequate repair was made but it could do with a little adjustment later. On then with the thermocouple, helped by a short video someone had posted on line. Of course, these always tell you how easy it is when in practice it requires some special knowledge, skill or equipment. In fact it was just about spot on and the task was properly completed in a much shorter time than the first! Then Mike had to reassemble the protective shelf under the hob and put the cupboard doors back on. Time then for a rest before preparing the evening meal!

Today we spent the morning shopping at Morrisons in Banbury and, at the same time, charging the car battery,

In the afternoon we drove a short distance to the National Herb Centre where we were promised (by staff in the marina office) that they did tea and good cakes!

We will be taking each day as it comes - one arm out of action means that Christine will not be able to steer or help with locks so, until it is back in action, we may just try and single hand just a few locks - we have to be back home Tuesday after Easter anyway.