You must be kidding!

Brrrr, chilly this morning and very foggy. The fire was all but out but quickly sorted with a couple of logs thrown on and a good riddle. Outside had this eerie look but beautiful nevertheless.

Walked into Abingdon to Waitrose. Forgot a few items at Aldi yesterday Benecol being one of them. Prooved to lower cholesterol I can vouch for that as Ian's count had gone down from 9.2 to 6.4. Mind you having his oats every day also helps. I'm talking about porridge if you please, not sure what your thinking of! Consequently, we didn't leave until nearly 11am.

Abingdon Weir

The first lock we come to was Culham. A cruiser had passed by so we assumed the lock to be with us, but no, the bottom sluices had been left open as per instructions. This was a pig of a lock, not because it was difficult to operate but the length of time it took to fill. 20 blooming minutes!!! I ask you, I appreciate a boat doesn't want to be tossed all over the place when the surge of water comes in hence a slow fill but 20 minutes!!!! These electric push button jobbies only allow a quarter of one sluice to be raised so stands to reason a big lock like Culham would take forever. Kettle on and a cup of tea later and the gates finally opened. In we went closely followed by a cruiser who appeared as if from nowhere.

The descent only took minutes and because I was in front and the cruiser was full of fenders, I had to exit first. He managed to pass me as I approached the staging and raced out of the lock as if hell was after him but with two miles to do and visions of another 20-minute wait, this women was not going to be left behind. Ian had to close the gates and I had to get to the staging to pick him up so the cruiser was well in front by the time we left. Even with our speed at 4.9mph, he disappeared into the distance and by the time we got to Clifton lock, the boat was in the lock with gates closed not having the courtesy to wait. They left closing the gates behind them but leaving those bottom sluices raised. Not best pleased at this boater bloody-mindedness but then a lock keeper appeared. Although not on duty he told Ian to get back on board as he would lock us down. Brilliant as he could now control the rate of fill by a turn of a key and keeping his finger on the button.

Again we were lucky at Days Lock. On self-service and this time a 5-minute wait while the lock filled, much more like it, and as I brought FS in another lock keeper appeared. He too was off duty but again he locked us through. We had lost a lot of time at Culham lock so reaching Benson lock and knowing of a 24-hour payable mooring above the lock, we decided to stop. So far no money has been asked for but I'm sure someone will come later.

And on the journey,

Leaving Abingdon and autumnal colours.

Camouflage to extreme

And the big boys arrive

 And seen on route,