Author: travurple

Monday, we drove from Lyme Regis up to Cirencester, why Cirencester? For no other reason that it was in the right direction for our next friends/family visit in Cardiff and about half way(ish), whilst driving we passed the Cotswolds airfield, which was full of parked up commercial planes, British airways, Easyjet etc.. guess when nobody is flying you have to keep the planes somewhere. 

The Cirencester campsite was a Caravan and Motorhome Club site, the biggest we have stayed on, there must have been a couple of hundred pitches, only half the site was open but it was nearly full.

Tuesday, we walked around Cirencester, had coffee in the Abbey gardens, lunch in ‘Heather’s Café” in an old courtyard, then on to the Corinium Museum (Corinium being what the Romans called Cirencester), a nice museum with lots of locally found roman mosaic floors. Cirencester was a really pleasant surprise, we knew nothing about it, but it is a really picturesque town.

Wednesday, as the campsite is on the edge of the Bathhurst Estate, we walked across the Estate on the “Broad Ride” a wide bridleway through a forest.  We have never walked that far in a straight line, it was about 4 miles dead straight, to the Bell Inn at Sapperton for a very good lunch (Rog – Burger, Nic Steak & Chips) before walking back to the campsite. 

Thursday, we checked out of the Cirencester Campsite, drove to Tesco for a little shopping (mainly coffee beans), then moved to the petrol station to fill up with Fuel. Unfortunately, we were unable to restart the Motorhome, the immobiliser would not disengage!! After 20mins of trying to start it we final rang Green Flag breakdown, who dispatched an engineer, after another 30 mins the Motorhome started, before the engineer got to us, so we drove it back to the Cirencester campsite, cancelled the engineer, and arranged for an Alarm/Immobiliser specialised to come and fix the issue on Friday morning. What fun!

Friday, Mark the Alarm/Immobiliser specialist, arrived as planned, he only lived a mile away (and could have come Thursday afternoon, but his own van was in the garage for an MOT), after a couple of hours Mark had fixed our immobiliser problems! So, we could finally set off for the next stop at the Severn Valley Campsite, half a mile from the River Severn, and about half way between Cirencester and Cardiff.  That evening we drank the last of the Napton Cider, bought whilst we were on the boat. 

Saturday, we walked thought the small village of ‘Awre” (we never did find out how to pronounce it) down to the River Severn path, following the river north around a looping bend back to ‘Awre’,  spotting what we think were Otter tracks on the wet mud, (but did not see any Otters).  Then to ‘Severn Cider’ a local Cider and Perry producer. They produced a lot of different types Cider and Perry, so we had to taste a few. They had a limited selection of bottled cider, the rest were only available in 5 litres!, so we got a mixed case of Cider and Perry.  ( Nic decided that Perry was a revelation !). The Chap at Severn Cider confirmed they do have local Otters.

Sunday, got all packed up to leave, knowing that the immobiliser would not cause us any more problems, Nic attempted to start the Motorhome…. A deafening silence … nothing happened, a flat battery (we think). After reading the manual we finally found the battery under the floor in front of the passenger seat! (no not under the bonnet… we looked there first). Nic went to plead the ‘Damsel in Distress ‘again to the chaps who were building a new Shepard’s hut onsite. Actually, on one chap  who was building the hut, but his mate had just arrived on a motorbike, and thankfully his mate was a motor mechanic, what luck, so 5 mins latter they had jump started the Motorhome (call me (Rog) old fashioned but there is a +ive battery connection under the bonnet (nowhere near the battery) who knew!). So, we do not know if :

• the alarm/immobilised work has caused a problem with the battery, or
• we drained the battery, or
• the battery is ‘dead’, or 
• another problem. 

We are currently on the camp site in Cardiff, and restarting the motorhome is a problem for Tuesday morning when we need to leave the site.

On check in to the Cardiff site, they have previously had bikes stolen from the site, so have a large shipping container for us to store the bikes in, rather than leaving them on the back of the motorhome. Anyone reading the blog carefully will have noticed that this is the first reference to our bikes, that’s because this is the first time we have taken them of the back of the motorhome since leaving Pock a month ago! (it is only a month ago we had to check the diary – we have done so much I feels like a lot longer).

The Cardiff campsite is in Sophia Gardens and Bute Park, near the centre of Cardiff, so we have just been for a walk along the river, saving the City Centre for tomorrow. 

Monday was our last day in Henley, we went for a walk to the north of Henley through “Estate” land, which included trees planted in the shape of flags (when viewed from the air – see google link). We then went via a deer park and into a forest of fabulous autumn colours, across a golf course and back in to Henley. 

Tuesday we checked out of Henley and drove to Stonehenge, there is a new visitors centre a mile or so from the stones, so we walked there, which gives you the context of Stonehenge in the wider landscape.  We did get the bus back. On the side roads near Stonehenge there are a few encampments (campervans, tents etc.) not sure if they are 6 weeks early for the winter solstice, or there to protest about the proposed tunnel for the main road (as tunnelling may damage the site). 

Wednesday we had a quiet day on the Stonehenge campsite (about 3 miles away), we walked in the local village of Berwick St James and had a pint at the Boot Inn, a traditional oak beamed village pub.

Thursday we drove down to Lyme Regis, via West Bay, Bridport to meet up with Nic’s cousin and family. We checked in to a campsite we’d used in the summer.  When we say ‘checked in’ and ‘camp site’,  we mean drove into the field and parked up.

Friday, we walked down in the Lyme Regis, had brunch in ‘Town Mill Bakery”, then walked up to Nic’s cousin’s (everywhere, expect the seafront,  in Lyme Regis is either up or down!). That evening we had a fabulous dinner in Tom’s Restaurant. 

Saturday, we were treated to a drive around the local area. We went to Abbotsbury and walked up to St Catherine’s Chapel, with views over the Swannery and Chesil Beach, had lunch in a traditional pub. Drove on to Maiden Castle, an iron age hill fort near Dorchester. Back at the house, Nic cooked a Ghanaian peanut curry. After a view drinks and a film, we walked back up to the campsite.

Sunday, we walked from the campsite, across a few fields trying to follow a footpath to Charmouth. It was a little wet underfoot. Once at Charmouth we considered walking back to Lyme Regis along the beach, however the tide was coming in, and we were not confidant enough that we had enough time, so chose the coastal path instead. According to our map the coastal path, went to the seaward side of a golf course, however a couple of golfers insisted the path wen to the landward side of the golf course (then cut back across the course) so we followed their advice, then walked down in to Lyme Regis via Dragon hill and the River Lim walk. 

Monday, we left the Motorhome in Tonbridge, and were on an early train from Tonbridge to London Charing Cross, when we say early, the first cheap train after anyone still commuting in to London has already departed, so the 8:31am train arriving at 9:15am.  We then walked The Strand, Covent Garden, Soho, then to Horse Guards Parade, where the mounted guards were on parade and heading towards Buckingham Palace, so we route marched through St James Park to beat them to Buckingham Palace. We managed to see the changing of the Guard at a distance and followed the Marching Band, down Bird Cage Walk to their barracks. They continued their parade, which included the ceremonial leaving of a band member (a euphonium player), and we happened to be standing next to her parents in the crowd, so not a dry eye in the house/pavement.

Then Leicester Square Odeon at 12:45 to see the new James Bond film No Time to Die (only £7:50 per ticket).  Both of us really enjoyed the film (no spoilers!) 

So, to continue the busy day, we got the train to Wimbledon, checked in to the Premier Inn then headed to Nic’s cousin’s house for dinner, Nic’s other cousin from France was also there. A lovely meal, catching up with family.

Tuesday, the train back to London, a walk from Waterloo to the Tate Modern.   Modern art is not something either of us would say was our thing, we both did enjoy individual pieces of art, Rog – the geometric pieces and an installation about Australian modern concept of land ‘Ownership’ verses the traditional land “custodianship”. Nic – a couple of pieces which were portraits of young women, simple but beautifully done.

Lunch at a Japanese restaurant, Nic ordered the Salmon plate (sushi and sashimi) you have never seen as much salmon on one plate! Nic felt as if she was growing gills!

More walking, including the obligatory walk around Fortnum & Mason food hall, and, we kid you not – Heinz Bake bean and white chocolate truffles, what next !! according to the sales assistant they are “not good”! She also offered us a taster of any of the chocolates, but after all the lunch we could not manage it. Yes, Rog refused chocolate, put it in the diary. 

Wednesday, was a quiet day back in Tonbridge. So nice to enjoy the space of a whole house!!

Thursday, we drove to Henley on Thames, a very swish camp site, with vehicle registration number plate recognition gate, the ultimate no contact check in.

Friday, we walked around Henley, and there was an outside chance we could meet a friend for lunch (the one who couldn’t make it to Uxbridge whilst we were on the boat), unfortunately this could not happen again (you know who you are – we will meet up at some point – but thanks for inspiring another boozy lunch) we had a fabulous lunch, spending 3 hours in Hof’s a South African & German restaurant

Bonfire Night, the local Henley fireworks were at the Showground, a 1 ½ mile walk on a busy road with no footpath and £10 each to get in, so we decided not to bother, instead watched some fireworks on YouTube. 

Saturday, more walking and watching a rowing regatta, morning coffee at the Chocolate Café in Henley, with a stunning vegan beetroot cake. Then met friends for a walk north up the Thames towpath, we saw a canal boat which we  had leap frogged down the Grand Union Canal in late August.

Sunday, walked south along the towpath to Hambleden Marina, and then back down the other side of the river, after a slightly dodgy section walking on the road with no footpath.  We saw lots of red kites circling overhead, a welcome site as they have been rare sight in the past.  As we were about to publish this blog, fireworks started just outside the campsite, so we headed out to watch, a good display.

Sorry, another delayed blog!

Monday (25 October)  we drove to Blickling Estate, a National Trust property, previously the home of Boleyn Family (i.e. Anne Boleyn the 2^nd wife of Henry VIII), then headed to a garage in ‘Wells Next The Sea’, to get the Motorhome engine light checked out, however en route the engine light went out and, after a discussion with the garage, we were advised that if the light had gone out everything must be OK. Result!

We then headed to Burnham Deepdale to  a campsite booked for 4 nights.

Tuesday, we walked to Brancaster Beach (and back), west along the North Norfolk Coastal path, a nice walk, mainly along a wooden boardwalk. Busy on the beach with families and their dogs, it was half term after all. On the way back, we had lunch at ‘The Crab Hut” lovely seafood baps. 

Wednesday, we walked east along the coastal path to ‘Burnham Overy Staithe’ and back. It was a very windy day. 

Thursday, we caught the bus back to ‘Burnham Overy Staithe’ and then walked further east to ‘Wells Next The Sea’ , on the North Norfolk Coastal path, but this time mainly on the beach, which was tough going. So, by the time we had got the ‘Wells’ we had definitely earned our fish and chip lunch from French’s, followed by an ice cream (in October!!). we got the bus back to the campsite. 

At the Campsite that evening, there was a Star Gazing event with Mark Thompson (an astronomer off the telly), we had previously been unable to book the free tickets, but managed to get some on the day. So, after Mark being unable to hook his laptop up to a projector,  the HDMI cable is always missing- we all walked out back on to the coast path, under a heavily cloudy sky, however as Mark started to talk, the clouds dispersed and we were able to see Jupiter, Saturn, the Milky Way and various constellations.  An enjoyable and informative evening. 

Friday morning, we left Deepdale campsite, which had really nice modern facilities including individual wet rooms with underfloor heating. We drove, including for the last couple of miles over some terrible bumpy country roads, to see friends, just outside Ely. (Thanks, you know who you are, thanks for a great weekend) – Friday evening was more eating, drinking and catching up.

Saturday, we had a quick trip into Ely, then helped out with harvesting and bagging lavender, whilst watching international horse eventing from the south of France, involving friends of friends. More eating and drinking ensued that evening, (Nic likes nothing 

better than to be allowed to get stuck in , in someone else’s kitchen, and we even managed a bit of “Strictly” watching of the Halloween Special….Thank you J)

Sunday, we waited out a storm before leaving Ely, as we didn’t fancy driving the Motorhome in 55mph gusts. We drove to Tonbridge to see Nic’s brother and family.

Monday, we met good friends for coffee in Castletown (where our last Isle of Man home was!), who kindly took us up to Douglas to catch the ferry to Liverpool. A little lumpy crossing, but not too bad. Where we were met by other friends and taken back to theirs in Widnes, for a light supper of soup and bread, after seeing our food and drink exploits last week!

Tuesday, we all took their dogs for a walk to Victoria park in Widnes, followed by lunch out at The Tavern (more food and drink!) and then back to theirs for a few more drinks!

Wednesday, we got the train from Widnes to York, after a quick change of plan following an email from the rail company cancelling our originally booked train, so we got a different train 20 mins earlier, so we could still make our connection in Manchester. Rog’s Dad kindly picked us up in York.

Thursday, Nic’s Dad retrieved the motorhome from storage, so we could finish packing it.

Both of us had our flu jabs, and finished the day off with dinner with Rog’s brother and family.

Friday morning, we set off on the road trip, driving down to Norfolk to see Rog’s old school friend. After two hours driving, we pulled into a service station to switch drivers and an engine warning light came on, so we stopped to read the manual, which said it was Ok to continue driving with that warning light on, easier said than done as the immobilizer would not disengage. Whilst Rog was still trying to start the motorhome, Nic spotted some Army chaps in large lorry, so decided to chance the “damsel in distress” look and ask them if they could help, when, all of a sudden, the motorhome started. Hurrah we were off again.

So, our luck with motor vehicles appears to be continuing (see earlier blogs on the Van saga).

We got down to Norfolk only slightly later than planned. 

Saturday, we walked from the house to Reepham across the fields and along an old railway line, for lunch in the Station café and returned via Salle village. 

Sunday, we drove to Cley on the north Norfolk coast, walked around the Salthouse and Cley marshes to a café for tea & cake, shock horror the people in front of us in the queue bought the last scones.

Back to the house for a homecooked roast chicken with all the trimmings, to cap off another wonderful weekend catching up with good friends (after far too long), filled with good food and plenty of drink (but not too much – no hangovers!).

On Monday we attended a family funeral, a sad occasion but a celebration of life and chance to meet up with the wider family. 

On Tuesday, we travelled to the Isle of Man, from York by train via Preston, Lancaster then the ferry from Heysham to the Island. The journey took all day but was enjoyable. The trains were not too busy, but not many masks being worn.  We were collected from Douglas Sea Terminal after passing through the Isle of Man Covid boarder control (we are both double jabbed so all good). We had a lovely dinner with friends, unfortunately one was not well so unable to meet up. 

Wednesday,  after a walk around Colby, we each had a trip to the dental hygienist and our financial advisor, all of which were OK.   

Thursday, Rog met up with previous work friends for lunch, then “after work” drinks, then the bus back down south to Port Erin. Nic had drinks with good friends. We moved to stay with different set of friends for a couple of nights, and Rog remembered which house to go to at the end of the night, so not too drunk!

Friday started with a walk to Port St Mary (see photo), followed by brunch. Spent the afternoon watching a dodgy film with friends, then a curry night with another group of friends, involving more beer and a card game called Pig!

Saturday, we moved back to Colby to stay. Saturday night had another dinner and more drinks with friends, including the one who had recovered from Tuesday.

Sunday, again started with a walk around Colby (see photo), then lunch at The Abbey Restaurant in Ballasalla, a wonderful meal as always, and a few glasses of wine. 

So essentially our Isle of Man visit consisted of lots of eating and drinking. 

Monday was another day of packing and repacking the motorhome, deciding what we needed in the motorhome,  and what we needed to keep, but not with us in the motorhome! We have got rid of loads of stuff, but we still seem to have too much. (at least to remember where it all is i.e. the garage and loft of our parents!)

Nic enjoyed afternoon tea at Middleton’s hotel in York with her mum.

Tuesday, we met Rog’s parents in Burnby Hall Gardens (where we got married!) for a walk followed by lunch. 

Wednesday the outside of the motorhome was professionally cleaned, needing a scaffolding tower to reach the roof, so it is all bright and shiny now.

Thursday, we took the motorhome to Middlewood Farm holiday park in Robin Hood’s Bay, for two nights – via Whitby, where we had lunch at the Magpie café, the best fish and chips (we have never been disappointed there).  

Friday was wonderful weather (for October), we walked from the campsite down to Robin Hood’s bay, a nice walk across the fields, then along the beach past Boggle Hole (Youth Hostel).

Saturday, we packed up the Motorhome ready to return to Pocklington, the vague plan was to stop in Scarborough or Bridlington, but unfortunately Nic did not feel well, so we headed straight back to Pocklington.  Nic went to bed with a Migraine, so Rog went out with his brother and friends to watch the local Rugby match and have a pint or three!!!

Sunday, we went for a walk with both sets of parents to North Cave wetlands, when we got there we learned there had been a bit of twitching excitement as a Bitten had been spotted earlier in the day (we didn’t see it). Excellent bacon or sausage baps were had, at a very reasonable price.

Sorry no pictures this week, struggling with the technology again- you can alway see photos on https://www.instagram.com/travurple/

Firstly, an apology for the delay in posting this blog, as you will understand from the below we have had a busy week!

Monday (27 September) we cruised back to Nelson’s Wharf, filling with water and diesel on route, which was challenging given the wind! Manoeuvring the boat in a small boat yard. 

Once back to Nelson’s Wharf, we locked the boat up, and Nic’s parents drove us back to Pocklington, to collect their motorhome, so we could empty the boat of all our stuff. 

Tuesday (28 September) we drove back to the boat, in the middle of the fuel crisis, luckily, we managed to get fuel before we went on to the motorway network. Nearly all Services on the motorways were showing no fuel.

Once we got back to the boat, the packing challenge began, getting all our stuff from the Boat into the Motorhome, thankfully we could park close to the mooring. 

Wednesday (29 September) more packing and moving of stuff, and the cleaning started, to make sure the boat was “spick and span” to hand back. 

Thursday (30 September), we just had to move the boat to opposite the Kaye’s Arm of canal, which was a mile & 8 locks, so the plan was for Nic to captain the Boat to the locks, and Rog to move the motorhome to the boat yard, then walk back up the lock join Nic and do the locks together.  So Nic left Nelson’s Wharf on the boat, Stage 1 of the plan complete, easy! Rog then attempted to move the motorhome, however easier said than done, the motorhome would not start, it has a hi-tech immobiliser on it, which appears to have a mind of its own, and chose not to start. After lots of attempts and a call to the Parents, the Motorhome finally started. By this time, Nic was already at the top of the locks with the boat. 

Rog got to the top lock just in time, as Nic had started the double locks with another boat, so all worked out well! And we returned the boat. In some ways our six months on “Life in Slow Motion” has flown by and in other ways it felt like a lot longer, as you’ll see below, we have done 914 miles and 734 locks in our time onboard. We have been asked if we are sad to end our boating and return the boat – in a way we are, however, the weather is changing, and I’m sure boating in the autumn and winter would be a very different prospect. Returning the boat also enables us to start other different adventures – the next one being Motorhome!

After returning the Boat we drove to the Napton Cidery to buy more of their lovely cider, (their number 6  cider if anyone is interested!) before driving back up to Pocklington. 

Friday (1 October) the job of unpacking and repacking the motorhome started, thankfully Nic’s parents were away for the weekend, as we took over most of the house with all our stuff.

Friday night we have a lovely dinner at Rog’s parents, its nice to do the family things again. 

Saturday (2 October) the unpacking and repacking of the Motorhome continued, we still have loads of stuff. 

Saturday night, beers and a curry with family and friends, being in the Indian was a little strange, as, before the building was an Indian restaurant, it was the restaurant that we had our wedding reception in.

Sunday (3 October) we had just about put the house back to rights (if not quite finished all the repacking) and with a pile of stuff that is not coming in the motorhome with us waiting to go to Rog’s parents garage, when we got a text from the parents stating they would be home in 15 mins! Luckily our parents appear to be very laid back about how much stuff is in their lofts/garages! Our thanks go to them!

	This Week	Total
Locks	11	734
Miles Cruised (approx.)	5	914

On Monday, we made it all the way to Oxford, after rescuing another loose boat called “Scallywag“, drifting across the canal. We had to leave the Oxford Canal onto the River Thames to turn around, as the last turning circle on the Oxford canal is for boats up to 52ft and Life in Slow Motion is 57ft. 

We had lunch in a Swedish café called “Skogen” (Forest), that had Schnapps on the menu, so obviously we had to participate in a mini cold table!

We spent the afternoon strolling around Oxford, before going to the cinema to see the latest Marvel film – “Shang Chi & the legend of the 10 rings”

Tuesday, we headed north back up the Oxford Canal, we stopped at the Jolly Boater pub in Thrupp for lunch, mooring up right outside the pub. 

On Wednesday, we cruised into Banbury and had a walk around the town, passing ‘The’ Banbury Cross. 

Thursday, we continued cruising north, mooring for the night before the Claydon Locks, as the locks are subject to evening closures, to save water. 

Friday, we cruised the summit level of the Oxford canal between the Claydon locks and the locks at Marston Dole. When we arrived there at 3pm,  there were 10 boats ahead of us waiting for the locks, which had been closed since 10:30 that morning with engineers working on repairs. Thankfully they soon opened the locks,  but as they were also subject to evening closures, due to low water levels in the reservoirs, we only just got through before they were padlocked for the night.  It is amazing the number of different versions of the same story  you hear as you talk to other boaters.  All credit to some of the crew from a hire boat behind us, who worked steadily with their windlasses, for a couple of hours to help get as many boats through the locks as quickly as possible, before the padlocks went on!

Saturday morning we went to the local Napton Cidery, Rog was taste testing Apple Brandy at 10:30am. 

Sunday we cruised to Nelson’s Wharf, were we had arranged for moorings for a few days, so we could sort the boat out ,and pack our stuff ready to leave the boat on 30 September. Family came and met us, so we could collect a motorhome,  for the next adventure. In return for a lift we were to give them an overnight cruise on the boat and dinner out at the Boat house in Braunston. We turned around and headed back towards Braunston on the Oxford & Grand Union canal.   As we got  to the canal Junction we were informed by a friendly boater that the canal to Braunston was closed due to a tree falling across the canal. So we moored up for lunch and came up with another plan …….. we turned around again and headed down the Oxford canal towards Napton, not very far but with a winding hole for us to be able to turn around there. 

	This Week	Total
Locks	50	723
Miles Cruised (approx.)	62	909

Monday morning, bikes off the roof of the boat and assembled in less than 15mins, Rog is getting fast! A 15min cycle to Bletchley Park, as we got free tickets as part of the “national heritage days out” scheme, where heritage sites give away free tickets for a week every September (Bletchley Park is usually £21 each, so £42 saved) 

We were expecting a bit of a dusty museum for World War II buffs and geeks, however we both agreed that it was extremely well done, very engaging, using multi-media (the hand-held guides were great) it explained the tricky subject of the German codes (Enigma, Lorenz machine, which was classified until 1983) and the cracking of them, without dumbing down to much. They also showed the human element of the people who worked at Bletchley Park, outside they played audio of rounders matches, bicycle bells, and conversations, as if being overhead, this really brought the place alive.  Well worth the £21 each we did not pay!

After returning to the boat, we cruised for a few hours, before mooring up in time for online drinks with friends, who, last time we met, had given us a bottle of wine.  They opened a bottle of the same wine, so we chatted and enjoyed the same wine, which was lovely (Thanks – you know who you are!)

Tuesday, we continued heading north on the Grand Union Canal doing 11 miles and 1 lock. 

Wednesday, we cruised 12 miles, 7 locks and the Blisworth tunnel (3,076 yards), including filling up with diesel at the same yard we had used on the way south. We moored up in Weedon, so close to the railway line that we could see the bug splat on the windscreen, and the blood shot eyes of the drivers as the trains whizzed passed.

Thursday, we did the Buckley locks, we met a woman who had damaged her knee, so she hobbling painfully whilst driving, whilst her novice crew quickly learned how to lock. So, we helped them through. Then we did the Braunston tunnel (2,042 yards), just before we entered the tunnel we saw a couple of boats moored (one hire boat and one of a much older vintage) and the crew of the older boat were professing their great thanks on the hire boat crew.  The tunnel was very smoggy, much worse than the last time we had been through, on exiting and speaking to the other boats queuing for the next lock, we learned that the older boat had broken down in the tunnel (engine and electrical failure – so no power or lights – scary) so the hire boat must have towed them out (you have to tow a boat in the direction it was going).

There was a queue of 5 boats at the Braunston locks, so we helped out were we could to get everyone through the locks, it helps everyone out, but from a selfish point of view, it also gets us through the locks quicker. 

After retracing our steps since leaving London, first thing Friday morning we joined the Oxford Canal – South, new territory, back to a narrow canal, so goodbye to the wide beam boats and wide locks. Smaller locks are much quicker and easier to deal with.  We did 11 miles and 9 locks, mooring up in Fenny Compton for the evening. We walked into the village to buy some supplies, quite a tricky walk, the foot path disappears as you get to a double railway bridge, and you see an ominous sign to motorists which says “Pedestrians on Road”, which you hope the motorists  will see, given there are also signs which say “Road liable to flooding”, one giving the height restrictions and finally one telling them that the road is narrow!  Thankfully we made it both ways under the double railway bridge with the needed supplies. 

On Saturday, for the first time on our canal travels, we saw deer in a field by the canal (twice!) both times we saw a mother and fawn feeding, none of whom seemed bothered by the passing boat. 

Sunday, saw another deer fawn on its own. We then ventured onto the river Cherwell, which we were not expecting  as it only joins the canal between two locks, one of the locks being a strange octagonal shape which moved the boat only about 1ft.   Lots of lift bridges today, thankfully all bar one are left raised, so we don’t have to do anything. The only remaining one was an electric lift bridge, so insert key and press a button which is easy, and it gives you the power to stop traffic. We moored just outside a village called Thrupp!

Amongst all the cruising this week, we have also managed to book an adventure to the Canary Islands for mid-January to mid-March next year.

	This Week	Total
Locks	55	673
Miles Cruised (approx.)	81	847