I couldn’t sleep last night. I
get these nights every now and again and was still up playing on the computer
as 2.30am. Thank goodness this doesn’t
happen often.
We were ready to pull pins at 9.30am and set off to Grants Lock where
we found a queue – so what’s new :-( Up
through the lock and along the very shallow canal. At the bridge holes for the old lift bridges
it was extremely shallow even for us who only draw 18 inches.
 |
| Looking back to the M40 |
We noticed how the canal has changed since we came along here last in
2011 – there are more moorings places and it certainly looks nicer now.
It wasn’t long before we could smell the coffee coming from the Kraft
factory. Looking at Wikepedia I found a
few interesting bits of trivia. During
October 2006, a block of Kraft Foods that was being prepared for demolition
caught on fire and remained on fire for most of the day. There was a non-lethal fire at the coffee
plant on Tuesday 7 December 2010. In
Spring 2010, a truckload of Kenco Coffee was stolen by a driver who conned his
way into the plant.
There was another queue (of the same boats that were at Grants Lock) at
Banbury Lock. We filled up with water
and were back in the queue before the hire boat behind us came into view. I love the little lock in Banbury and there
are so often masses of people around who want to help however today it was just
boaters and gongoozlers. The basin above
the lock had four boats in it one being right where I wanted to swing but being
the professional helmsman that I am I did it perfectly!!!!!
There were quite a few spaces by Castle Quay shopping centre so we
pulled in and moored up. I went for a
solo shopping trip into town however I mainly bought Richard clothes with the
odd thing for me! I also did a food shop
in M & S – luxury :-) Richard then
went off for his solo shop and came back with TV aerial plugs! Still we both found our shopping trips
exciting :-)
While I was shopping I saw some people eating fish and chips and got
the craving for some so we walked back into town, found the fish and chip shop
and then took them back to the boat for dinner.
They were lovely.
Banbury is a riot of colour with lovely red and yellow flowers
everywhere – either in troughs or hanging baskets. The bridge over the canal is particularly
lovely but I forgot to take a photo – I will remedy that on our way back.
3.52 Miles
2 locks
1 lift bridge
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