Bridge 156, Slat Mill Bridge to Top of Claydon Locks (South Oxford Canal)

It was warm with sunny spells when we set off this morning, but rain was forecast so we wanted to get moored up before it came as since we started our trip back in May, we have managed to do all locks in the dry, well a while ago when we were doing some locks, it started spitting, but you couldn’t really call it rain, so we are not counting that!

Leaving Cropredy Lock

We stopped at Cropredy to get water, etc.  Once all that was done, we headed for the lock which was just along the canal, there was a boat in front of us just going into the lock when we got there and one waiting to come down.  I helped with the lock as they seemed to be dithering around and when it was full, we opened the gates and the woman driving the boat just sat there, so I waited a few minutes then went back to her and said are you coming out of the lock and she said oh are the gates open, I’m still half a sleep, and then brought the boat out really slow, we thought oh dear we have to follow them up another 8 locks!!

Soon it was our turn and we were soon through Cropredy lock and onto the next one where the boat in front of us was waiting to go in as a boat was coming down.  I went up to the lock to help while they stayed on their boat feeding the ducks and didn’t come to the lock until the other boat had come out.  The lady brought the boat into the lock, but I think a snail could have gone faster!  I think she was in a world of her own.  

In Claydon Top Lock

There was a boat coming down so he went down in the lock, then it was our turn.  We thought as the boat in front of us was going so slow we would definitely catch them up, but I think they must have got a spurt on them as we didn’t clap eyes on them until the top lock of the Claydon flight and our last lock for today so that was lucky.

We had two more locks to go and the heavens opened and we got soaked, so our record is now broken, it only lasted 5 minutes or so, then the sun came out.  Safely through all 9 nine locks, we moored up at the top of the flight.

We had a few more showers in the afternoon, but then the sun came out and it was a nice evening, a bit windy though.

This afternoon several boats went by us without any trouble as there is plenty of room to pass, then a boat came past and they were so close to us that they hit us, I looked out of the window and the man said it couldn't be helped, the wind blew us, I said perhaps going a bit slower would help and they said they couldn't go any slower.  Kev recognised the boat and the people, we saw them in Banbury and they were acting very strange then, so perhaps that explains it!!

We are staying here tonight, then off again tomorrow.

Moored at the top of Claydon Locks