Thrupp to Banbury

Sorry for the lack of blogging since we were at Thrupp, but the computer signal has not been up to much. This was the view from our cratch as we squeezed nb Kara Sea into the last remaining space next to us below Shipton Bridge. We popped into each others boats to chat over drinks. We briefly met Bones and Maffi before they went off to the vets with Boots and Molly. We also saw Mark to wish him a Happy Birthday before we left. We had received a text message to say that Betty and Graham were stuck by lift bridge 193 because Betty had hurt her back, so would we join them there.

We passed through Somerton Deep Lock looking very picturesque in the sunshine. I couldn’t shut the bottom gate as it was so heavy so Bottle climbed up the ladder out of the lock to help me. We moored up at Lower Heyford overnight right opposite the church and the clock struck on the hour all night, ding dong!

 

We then had another beautiful days cruising up to B193 to moor in front of nb  Tranquility and soon afterwards we were reunited with nb Piston Broke who had cruised south to join us. So, it was out with the chairs on the towpath with nibbles and drinks to catch up on what we had been doing since the big freeze-in at Braunston. The next day we left Lynne and Paul doing jobs aboard while we walked the five mile round trip into Deddington. We saw this unusually shaped thatched house as we passed through Clifton en route. We frequented the Co-Op, delicatessen and Foodies Cafe for refreshments before our long return walk.

This location must be one of the quietest most idyllic mooring spots and needless to say it is one of our favourites with views across the fields. The River Cherwell meanders nearby and Curlews and Skylarks could be seen and heard. Tranquility had to leave for an appointment and Lynne and I walked Crystal and Saffi over the footpath to the railway viaduct near Souldern Farm. I wonder how many blue bricks it took to build those lovely arches? After spending a few nice days together we helped Piston Broke on their way south through Somerton deep lock. While walking back to Oakfield we spoke to a man who was laying traps in the river to catch Red Crayfish. He has obtained the landowners permission to do so and is doing us all a great favour in reducing their presence as they are causing damage everywhere.