FreeSpirit : Any later and we would have missed it.

Friday, 5 October 2018

Any later and we would have missed it.

Pinky arrived late but arrive it did. Flew straight past FS and towards the right-hand side of the meadow and much nearer to FS. Even though the light was going I managed to get a few more photos.

Did you see it? ISS? 8.10pm and we were outside looking toward the west. 8.18pm and the first glimpse as it came over the tree line. 8.19 pm and it disappeared, not over the SE horizon as it should but by the clouds coming over. Gosh, we were lucky to even get a minute glimpse of it. Any later and we would have missed it.

We were very late in getting away this morning. Ian wanted to get a coat of black paint over the chimney collar as well as touching up the red of the handrail so it was gone 11.30am before we pushed away from the bank.

Think back to Wednesdays post and the lock keeper at Eynsham saying no more assisted locking. Well, he was wrong. We were most surprised at Northmoor lock when we found the lock keeper on duty. I happened to mention that I thought all locks now were self-service and his reaction was one of surprise. As far as he was aware they do not stop with assisting boaters on October 1st. Makes you wonder if the lock keeper at Eynsham got the wrong message.

Northmoor weir and lock

Saying that though the lock at Shifford had the 'lock keeper on duty' sign displayed but no sign of life anywhere. After a hunt of several minutes, Ian gave up and did it himself. FS was nearly up when the lock keeper arrived. "Ah," said he "Appears I forgot to put the self-service sign up". He did mention the Rushey lock had no one on duty so the last lock of today was also done by Ian.

Shifford lock

Give it a good pull Ian!

At Rushey lock. Rope on the King board made it easier for Ian to grab hold of. These large locks need both the bow and stern ropes secured due to the force of water.

The weather is set to turn wet and windy so this mooring will do very nicely for the weekend.