Unmistakable sound.

.

May 5th and it's our anniversary today. 49 years of marital bliss, well almost 'cos I doubt if anyone goes through their marriage without a tiff or two. 😏 Moored at Banbury ready for a Thai meal tonight, but more of that in tomorrow's post. (Remember... I'm one day behind with my postings.)

So to continue. 

May 4th

The railway was quite near to our mooring last night and although the train noise was not an issue during the evening, it was only after the TV was switched off, and we went to bed that it turned out to be invasive. Consequently, with a broken night of sleep, Ian was up first, a silly time of 6.30 am, hmm... may as well have a cup of tea, then. We'd had breakfast and on the move a tad after 8 am. 

Not the best of travelling days, misty and murky, a bit nondescript really. We had several locks and a lift bridge in front of us today, and our mooring for tonight was to be above Somerton Lock. Pigeon lock was the first, I remembered the bottom gate wouldn't open properly when we last came through. Obviously still the same and more paint off the gunwale as FS scrapped her way in.

 

 Ian also had to close both top paddles before emptying the lock. I wondered why it took him so long to drop the water out! We suffered by this person's stupidity because the top pound, which is almost 2 miles long, had dropped by several inches. Now, that doesn't sound much, but the Oxford is shallow enough as it is without reducing water levels even more! A night of leakage through those bottom gates and it doesn't take long for the pound to drop.

Baffled me this boat, it was listing but the wrong way! No movement came as we crept past, must be well into the mud to stop any motion.

Whoa...this needs addressing by CRT. I can see this catching out the unaware, walkers, runners, cyclists etc.

At bridge 210

 A very distinct boat engine was heard, one that could only belong to Keith and Jo Lodge on Hadar. It's true what people say about this 2 cylinder National DA2 engine, it can be heard for quite a while before it appears. There is a great video on U Tube  Keith talks about the engine and that lovely classic sound can be heard. Anyway, the briefest of chats was had because it was difficult for both boats to come to a dead halt next to each other. Hope to see them on their return journey.

We never did send that email to CRT about the lift bridge. Didn't need to because we gave them the details in person. They arrived at Allen's lock to do the usual lock and culvert checks. The problem with that lift bridge is known to them, and it is on the list to be addressed. Hopefully sooner rather than later!

Very nearly had a collision with an Anglo Welsh hire boat at bridge 203. It's bow suddenly appeared, To be fair, boats moored towpath side made it extremely difficult.  I was already in the bridge 'ole. A loud blast on the horn and a rapid reverse by both, and disaster was averted. They tucked themselves in on the wrong side, holding the branches to keep themselves from moving out.

At Heyford Common lock, a small herd of horses mingled on and around bridge 200.

Well, I mean....had to get this photo.

That towpath closure because of the fallen wall O mentioned a while back, well all the loose brick had gone, and it looks as if the towpath is open again.

Seen on the 23rd April

And today.

Somerton Deep lock was the last for us today. Dark skies were seen on the horizon, and we were so close to mooring up for the day that I hoped we would stay dry. We didn't quite make it, a slight drenching before we arrived but much more was to come and so very glad we were not out in that!

Somerton Deep

And wildlife,

Reed bunting or Sedge warbler?

Not sure what it was holding in its beak.

Swallow