Today's Canal : Oxford

Not much of a blog for today; heavy-ish rain was forecast for much of the day, ETA between 10 and 11, with a high probability. As a result we planned our start carefully as we needed to do a large re-stock at the Tesco stop by Bridge 58, also the nearest to the town centre (but not very near) We have called here many times and knew that it was likely to be very busy on the moorings. The length was extended quite a bit a few years ago but space will be at a premium. Our hope was founded on enough boats leaving early before the next wave arrived to re-occupy them. We were away just before 9 with about an hour's run ahead.

The first bridge, Kents Road has a design on the walls that recalls the most widely known aspect of the town : the birth place of football with a funny shape. (It also has a fancy name plate not seen anywhere else) When William Webb Ellis made his famous dash, a local shoe maker, Gilberts, made the balls for the famous Rugby public school. They continued to be the dominant maker and still supply to most of the important international matches. After a takeover in 2002 they are now based in East Sussex.

The next landmark was Clifton Wharf, now hoe of Clifton Cruisers. A couple of the boats were being prepared for new hirers. Over the past few years the visitor side of the business has expanded. When we called here for some engineering help in our early days with Take Five, there was but a single portacabin and limited use of the old wharf buildings.

The wharf also manage a set of moorings, barely visible from the main canal as they utilise a section of the old contour canal that was cut off when the 19C straightening took place.

Eventually we reached the edge of the town and the start of the moorings. Soon the line of moored boats became continuous and we only saw one possible spot, quite a way from the supermarket. Continuing is a big risk as if there turns out to no other space before the road bridge at Elliots Field, there is no possibility beyond, other than for long term moorers.

Just as we were thinking that we might have to do a lengthy revers we spotted that there was just room for one more on the off side, the one-day designate mooring next to the water point. We grabbed it! However,  the mooring rings are not ideally placed and go keep the boat remotely alongside we needed to deploy two extra springs. By now the rain had arrived.

We took our time over a mug of coffee before setting out to Tesco. Shopping compete we returned, using out foldable trolley to help. It was then time for lunch.

Mid afternoon there was a break in the rain and Christine went back down to the shops, mainly because her electric toothbrush had just expired and cease to function, She also called at Mountain Warehouse and found a special bargain on trousers!

So, not the most exciting of days, just as well we do not have a tight schedule to maintain.

2.3 Miles - 0 Locks