day 9 lift bridge accident waiting to happen and a right old cock up through Aubreys Lift Bridge.

Not a good night. Left the heating on overnight because temperature had dropped considerably and the blooming gas heater kept cutting in every 10 minutes. An alarming loud clunking sound that woke you from your slumber every time it lit up! Then when we did finally get some sleep both of us woke up shivering feeling chilled to the bone. Bl**dy boiler had gone out so Ian had to get up, dress just to go and change the gas cylinder. With both of us awake we left really really early, like 6.am. Being this early we got to see the sunrise and the lovely red tones saw us on our way.

 This was a day of strong winds and hail with a bit of sun in between. A lovely curved rainbow showed itself but this photo doesn't do it justice.

 All the lift bridges were open and the lovely diamond shaped lock by the river cherwell soon had as down and meeting the fisherman getting ready for their Sunday match. There was no indicator board by this lock. For a short length the canal and river met and strong stream conditions could catch out the unwary so it was all very well to have a warning sign but no good if the indicators aren't displayed.

Nell Bridge lock

Not a level indicator in sight.

Approaching Aynho Weir lock

This one has the level indicators

Lots of individual locks to keep us on our toes as well as the many raised (thank goodness) lift bridges. Somerton Deep lock must be again one of the most photographed and I'm no exception in getting the camera out again.

Somerton deep lock

Having traveled for days without another boat in front of us by Upper Heywood Wharf we encountared the day boats going on the jolly. This one had only stopped to let the dog off and found themselves somehow turning around. Only trouble was they got themselves stuck in the process.

 They declined our offer of help and once managed to free themselves we ambled past towards Gibraltar (the village not the country) Here we met the next river section. With the flow with us and pushing us along I had great fun in negotiating the winding turns. Soon Shipton Weir lock came into view and noticed a boat waiting on the landing with another just coming out of the lock. Throttling back I managed to hold the boat near the bank to allow Ian to jump off. Fully expecting to take my place on the landing I was surprised when I was beckoned into the lock even with the other boat there. Turns out this lock can fit 2 boats in with both at an angle.

 Letting them out first I watched them as the put the power on to get through the open lift bridge. It was still blowing a hooley and I watched in horror as the bridge slowly started to descend toward the chaps head! How it missed coming down on him I will never know but the chap ducked just in time. This now put me in a quandary about going through. Ian was all prepared to jump off and race to the bridge to try and keep it open but the lady off the boat in front jumped off to secure it instead. I couldn't thank her enough and we did have a laugh about it but really this could have been nasty accident and we think a letter asking C&RT to re balance the beams may be in order.

As we entered Thrupp we encountered an ex co-ownership boat in front of us. It was hard over on the offside and somehow got itself wedged fast in the mud.  Slowing right down we again asked if they needed assistance but they waved us through.

Didn't like the look of the sky ahead.

 This now meant we were lead boat and would have to open Aubreys lift bridge (needs a BW key to operate) and keep it open to allow both boats to come through.

 At thrupp I made a complete mess of getting the boat through the lift bridge. I managed the sharp right hand turn beautifully but that darned wind grabbed hold of the boat and started pushing me into the side. My bow was perilously close to the bridge wall but with Ian acting as my bow thruster got the nose into the hole. The rest followed but only with a lot of side to side crashing and isnt it always the way when the gongoozlers are about. Anyway the ex co-ownership boat was behind me and now it was his turn. For one awful moment I thought he was going to show me how it should have been done but the wind also grabbed him and he fared no better then me. This cheered me up no end 'cause I was wondering if the L plates needed to be dusted off. Then by the pub we met a boat coming toward us. Nothing special in that except he was going backwads with no one on the stern.. Instead a chap was at the front poling the boat in the direction he wanted it to go in. I must say after the intial shock I was very impressed at his boat handling skills especially as he met the other boat on a bend and got it round without even the slightest nudge.. I feel sure he's done that a few times.

Met co-ownership boat on the bend.

The last few miles went without hitch and before long Dukes cut came into sight.
Total miles 20.7, Lcks 13 and time 11 hours.