Theres always one.

 A comment from Graham (thank you) had a time-saving idea of not pricking sloes but to wash and put them straight in the gin bottle. I wasn't 100% convinced that this would work so I thought I would do an experiment. I did one bottle with pricked sloes and the other the unpricked sloes. After two days of shaking twice a day, this was the result.

To me, the flavour of the sloe has to mingle with the gin to create the wonderful taste and on the unpricked sloe bottle, this doesn't appear to be the case. I'm going to see what the result is after 5 days and will publish my findings then. (if I remember)

Last nights sunset

We had locks to do today and wanted to get as near to Banbury as possible so left by 9am. Good job we did as we hadn't realised just how low the water levels were on this part of the South Oxford. Should have known though, what with the restrictions on the locks. Consequently, a wash started on the far side and we throttled back to no more than 1200 rpm and more often then not it was down to 1000 rpm not quite tickover but near enough!

Filled with diesel at Fenny Compton. 82p ltr and the cheapest we will be able to get from now on. The price once we make the Thames is well over 90p ltr.

Fenny Compton Wharf

 Sailed through the 5 Claydon locks with boats exiting as we approached. Here we also started on the descent toward the Thames.

At Elkington lock a Calcutt hire boat was going in. Ah, seemed our luck had changed and the lock would have to be turned. Also, a single hander lady waiting at the bottom took the empty lock after the Calcutt boat had left and was very grateful for the help Ian gave, as was I because the top pound was down by a good foot. Not wanting to risk going onto the landing I had to hold out so the quicker she ascended the better for me. Then our luck changed once more and not for the better. Reached Broadmoor lock and most dismayed to find not just that Culcutt boat on the landing, but another boat in front of them. Where had that sprung from? This pound was so low that any attempt to go into the side was thwarted by copious amounts of mud! So I was forced to sit it out in the middle for the two boats to descend for 25 minutes!!! That first boat went down quite quickly but oh that Culcutt crew...slow is not the right word. More like snail pace instead. Ian went to help but they understandably wanted to do it themselves so he let them carry on. My frustration was very apparent to Ian when I eventually got into the lock. Trying to hold the boat in the middle, boats on my starboard side, mud on the port side, wind and the water movement all trying to put FS where she wasn't welcome, well I could feel the anxiety mounting. The last thing I wanted was to hit another boat or get stuck in that mud. Only thing I did say to Ian was to please ask them next time to drop the paddles when the gates are open and the boat is going out, not, as was the case, when the boat had cleared the lock and they had shut the gates. Locking would go so much quicker if they did. (and I wouldn't be pulling my hair out!)

Hanging around.

 Cropredy and they stopped, yippee! Meant we had the last lock to ourselves. Beyond bridge 153 was the facilities, quite a difficult one to get to with the angle as was and of course the bow stuck out over the water so getting the hose into the filler hole was difficult. In the end, we pulled FS back so the bow was by the concrete.

Another mile travelled before we stopped. Dinner has been cooking all day in the slow cooker Chicken in red wine and smells delicious. The sun is still giving out warmth but that is all set to change as a cold front is coming down from the North. So fire ready to be lit and extra blankets put on the bed. Will we wake to frost? Only time will tell.

And on the journey,

There is always one! Either an illiterate person or doesn't think the rules apply to him. Lock landings are not for mooring on!

Sad to see these old boats like this

Oxford Canal. Not only shallow but very overgrown in places!

And seen on route,