Rain in Banbury

4 miles and 4 locks

We had a very nice evening with boat friends Roger and Sandra from the lovely nb Iris. In the morning Roger dropped of their copy of this year's guide to the Crick Boat Show which features our Harold on the cover! Such excitement on board - we are clearly in the presence of greatness and didn't even know it!

We set off about 50 yards up the canal to join a queue of boats waiting to go down Cropredy lock. After the lock we were going to stop to empty the elsan but what with a canoe club, moored boats and boats coming the other way it was carnage and we decided to keep going. We cruised under cloudy skies, meeting one or two other boats at each lock and chatting with their crews as we went. The captain decided that the dusty condition of Harold was less than fitting for a superstar and got his chamois out while waiting!

As we approached Banbury we went under the M40 which seemed hugely loud after the quiet of the last few days.

Further on we saw this rather extreme example of self-publicity - clearly a facebook page is not enough for this couple!

We found a mooring before Banbury town centre, where there is a footbridge and a Tesco Extra a short walk away. Fresh vegetables were procured and as the rain just continued to get heavier as the day went on, we decided to stay put.