With the Ashby now behind us it's onwards toward Oxford.

Christine and Josh, complete with Echo in tow, arrived yesterday about 4. 45pm. Poor Echo must have thought she was staying with us again 'cause she settled down on Jades bed as if she had never been away. The 'said' plant was given to Josh  and a wad of post came out of Christine's handbag and handed over to Ian, nearly 6 weeks worth. They only stayed long enough for a cold drink, Christine having to get back to cook Kev's dinner and once we had waved them goodbye, pulled pins and continue on to bridge 3.

 

For some reason both of us were up early this morning. Could have been something to do with the heat and humid conditions or it may well have been the noise of the trains which was within 200yds of the mooring. Anyway we were at Marston Junction  by 7.45am. We turned left towards Bedworth and after watering up before Hawksbury Junction, made the sharp left turn at Sutton stop onto the Oxford canal. I managed to get round without having to reverse and felt extremely proud of myself until Ian pointed out that it was more then likely the wind helping with the turn and it wasn't all due to my skill in maneuvering!

Hawkesbury Junction and Sutton Stop lock

Stretton Wharf was a bit of a nightmare. Row upon row of moored boats on either side narrowed the channel considerably. We had to pull in and wait for three boats coming towards us to pass and then, when Ian noticed another two approaching the swing bridge without stopping to let us through, he decided enough was enough and set off . The only trouble with that was the oncoming boats kept coming so in the end it was a case of me fending off at the bow while Ian fended off at the stern. We all just about scraped through.

Before reaching All Oaks Wood there was a C&RT notice  to proceed with caution as the cutting was unstable. Judging by the bank slippage we could see why.

We decided to stop at All Oaks Wood so Ian could try and sort out our solar panel. You may recall in a previous post that one of our small panels had given up the ghost, well it seems our large panel had stopped working as well. On investigation Ian discovered a break in the wire and after replacing it  with a new piece, the panel was once again working a treat. Shame there is no sun today to keep the batteries topped up.

With Ian repairing the solar panel, I went for a walk to the wood. 2 years ago I walked through the wood without any problem.. Not so today as the loggers were out in force and everywhere you looked notices had been pinned to trees telling the public that this was now private property and to keep off.

Look at all that lovely wood.

And finally:-

This water vole swam right in front of me as I walked Jade this morning.