Above King’s Lock (River Thames) – Thursday 18th September

We said our farewells to John and Fi and moved across the river so that I could make a quick visit to Waitrose for milk and salad.  I was also fortunate enough to find more of Muffin’s food as we were running VERY low!  On my return we set off with Daisy Chain up through Abingdon Lock. 

While we were in Sandford Lock two guys walked passed who, according to the lockie, are cray fishers and have been on board for eight months but were going home for a couple of days.  They have caught 2000 kilos 17 weeks!

 

Bridge over the portage at Iffley Lock

Next it was Iffley Lock with its lovely bridge over the canoe portage though the lockie was the most miserable we have come across on the Thames.

Now that isn't going to go under Osney Bridge!

Daisy Chain coming under Folly Bridge in Oxford

We went through Oxford – fortunately we didn’t want to stop as there are a lot of continuous moorers there taking up the mooring opposite Christchurch Meadow.  Osney Lock was on self-service but another boat was working it, then it was the low Osney Bridge.  The plants on the roof are looking really good for this time of year and I was a bit worried about them but as it turned out we were fine.

Will we?

Yes

Passed the first entrance to the Oxford Canal and along Port Meadow where you get the feeling you are on a lake (sorry no photo).  Godstow Lock was on self-service and I was able to start it but the nice lady lockie came back from lunch and took over.  We pulled over after the lock to let Muffin have a pee – he was desperate!  I love the old Nunnery there and will have a look round one day!

The Old Nunnery at Godstow

Through King’s Lock – the first of the manual locks – then passed the entrance to Dukes Cut and the other entrance to the Oxford Canal.  We pulled over just past Duke’s Cut in a place we stopped in back in 2010 when we came this way before.

The channel to Isis Lock and the Oxford Canal

Dukes Cut leading to the Oxford Canal

We let Muffin off the boat as we arrived and within minutes he had rolled in something and was then tied up again.  Later on, as we were all sitting round chatting, I let him off and he rolled in something again – he didn’t get showered so there is a nice hum about him!

12.64 miles

6 locks