Where has summer gone?

 

We returned to Hunters Moon on a damp and chilly Sunday to await the fitting of our new cratch cover on Monday.  We were very excited about this. We had replaced the zips of the old cover, now 9 years old, and watched it gradually deteriorate and had intended to replace it last year, but with no cruising last year it had become even worse. Sid had taped it up to see it through last winter, which had worked well. 

The canopy was due to be fitted at 2.00pm so we spent the wet morning shopping for essential provisions, wine, beer and a few other nice goodies from Waitrose.
Harry and Rich from Kinver Canopies turned up on time and within 35 minutes had fitted and demonstrated the workings of our beautiful new cover. It will take us a little time to adapt to the different configuration but it does look good.
We then decided that Hunters Moon deserved some new centre lines so jumped in the car and headed for Braunston. We were given a most interesting lesson on ropes and the various types of ropes by the very helpful owners of Tradelines in Braunston Marina. So, we came away with nothing but the best!

Tuesday morning, still overcast but at least the rain had moved off, and after a lazy start we set sail.  A short trip to a favourite spot to moor overnight then on to another of our quiet favourite moorings outside Braunston. The skies are still grey with a few glimpses of sunshine and a chilly northerly breeze bring June to an end. Maybe July will get warmer!

Travelling cut short

 Tuesday morning and the words that Jenny dreads was heard!  "Can you look at my leg Jenny?" Sure enough there was the sign of a bite or sting on Sid's lower leg and it looked very red! Not wanting to take any chances we made our way to the Engine Arm on the Napton flight  to wind and head back to Fenny.  Sid felt OK, no fever but his leg was hot and firey looking. The sun was hot and with the help of a lovely volunteer, Jan we got through the Marsdon Doles Locks with speed. Once on the summit it was just gentle chugging all the way back to base and the all-important car, should we need to make a dash for home and medical support. 

Fortunately,  although Sid's leg remained red and slightly uncomfortable he still had no fever and the redness was not spreading. We got HM ready for our departure and part loaded the car in case we needed to depart quickly but with Sid feeling OK we decided to enjoy the evening in the marina with a bbq and travel home on Wednesday morning.

We had planned to be home for the following week due to various appointments so we were only losing a couple of days and the glorious weather was due to break on the Thursday anyway.

So, home for ten days then back to continue cruising for a few weeks, all  being well!

See you then.

Photo Gallery

 

Making the Claydon Flight look more loved. 

Volunteers now man this flight using the small brick buildings at the locks 

as their base ( plus a portaloo cabin!)

Buttercups Galore!

Still empty and sad looking former lockkeepers cottage at Bourton Lock

View from pretty but deep Somerton Lock 

Tranquil mooring on the Oxford Canal

Sunset over Oxfordshire

New look approach to Banbury soon to become a Premier Inn

Shops, a cinema and eateries on the opposite side of the canal.

View from Aynho Lock

Looking across to Kings Sutton Church

A different view every day

Who are you looking at?

A poppy!

Relaxing in the sunshine

Enjoying a beer in the sun.

Rosie and Jim enjoying the sun!

Another beautiful sunset 

Reflections!

Man at work!

 

Blot on the landscape! HS2 workings

Clever tree carving

 

Sunday sunshine

 We have had a glorious week back on the water and although our plans were thwarted as to getting to Oxford we have taken advantage of the wonderful, long evenings that June gives us. 

Despite the temporary repair to Dashwood Lock being completed we had taken the decision to turn round at Lower Heyford and enjoy the more rural landscape of a return trip up the Oxford Canal. With great weather and some beautiful open moorings that afforded us some fabulous sunsets we are very relaxed and happy. Lots of bbqs and many glasses of wine and beer have been enjoyed on board. Well someone has to do it!

Sid has been doing a bit of polishing when the temperature allows and Jenny has done - not a lot !

We will head towards Braunston over the next few days, which are still forecast to be hot and sunny, then we will return to Fenny at the end of the week for our return home for various appointments before continuing our summer cruising.

Unfortunately, we are having a problem getting photos on to our blog but they will appear at some time.

Day 2 of heading south

 Whoops! May not make Oxford, Dashwood Lock badly broken. So, to console ourselves stopped short of Kings Sutton Lock. Found a perfect mooring with a lovely view and enjoyed a bbq and a few drinks as the sun went down over this beautiful  Oxfordshire countryside.  A happy, lucky couple.

Heading south

 Monday morning dawned bright and warm with a gentle breeze so we were eager to get out of the marina and start this short, summer cruise.

We were both had to think hard about casting off and manoeuvring not having done it for a while and the first lock we encountered took some thinking about but we soon got into the swing of canal life and chugged along happily in the beautiful sunshine. We got in a bit of a queue at the Claydon flight due to a slow filler - a broken paddle - but to our surprise the Claydon flight is now manned by 1 or 2 volunteers daily. A little help is always gratefully received.

We were both revelling in travelling again and with the coutryside looking glorious and the the hedgrows in full blossom all was well in our world.

Cropredy proved to be very busy but were lucky enough to find a little gap just Hunters Moon size. The two chaps sitting on the deck of nb Tinker were most impressed with Sid's mooring. He hasn't lost his touch!

The CRT volunteer, Graham, advised us that, at present, Dashwood Lock between Upper Heyford and Thrupp is closed and that there is also a problem on one on one of the lifting bridges towards Oxford. So, we may not get as far as we hoped. We'll keep an eye on the CRT website.

At last back on board!

 AHOY everyone!

Here we are back on board after soooooooo long.

Once everything is shipshape we are heading south to Oxford for a long awaited couple of weeks shakedown cruise.