Anyo Wharf to Thrupp

1st June
4.5 miles and 3 locks.

It was a glorious and hot day; blue skies to start, only partially relieved by some cloud as it got warmer. Crayfish had nibbled at Robin's bait while he was fishing the evening before so he put out his crayfish trap. When inspected in the morning, it produced just one small one. It was a laundry day, with the airer out on the front, carefully tied and pegged on.

The canal has been alongside the river Cherwell for the last couple of days and at Bakers lock they joined and Harold cruised along the river.

It was hot for dogs today..

At Thrupp we stopped for water, which took a while. The captain waited patiently.

Filling up with water. It's our clothes airer on the front.

Thrupp has a very nice café and we wanted to stop but there was just one quite small space remaining. With the help of the crew of Muleless who budged up a bit, we could just squeeze in.

Nose to nose with Muleless

We sat in the sun and generally faffed about. Scooby went to sleep; even giving up guarding for a while and we discovered our new wine holder thingy also has other uses!

Tomorrow we plan breakfast at Annies café and then onwards to the Dukes Cut and the Thames.

31st May 2017
8.5 miles and 4 locks.

The day started a bit grey but brightened up later. The locks were scattered but some were quite deep. This is Sommerton deep lock - the clue is in the name!

There were also low bridges and other hazards on exiting the locks....

There were lots of cattle in the fields, and occasionally some in the canal. In places the willow seeds were so numerous they made a white carpet for us to sail through.

Among many pretty and interesting things, we passed this ancient stone barn and these foxgloves.

Although there's no view particularly, the canal is just lovely along here.

We found a quiet mooring away from bridges and locks and next to a reed bed. Lots of bird song! The river Cherwell is just on the other side of the towpath.