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