Heading towards Oxford

Every time we come down the Oxford Canal we always look to see what else has been done to this old lock keepers cottage. When we first came down here we were talking to the new owner who had just bought it at auction and was slowly doing it up. At the time the only way to get any materials to it was by boat....and it was sad to see not very much more had been done to it recently.

We carried on through Banbury, calling at Morrisons for some goodies on the way. There is a lift bridge and a lock in the middle of town.

Pete and I decided we were going to cycle down to the next locks which was a bit daft because we forgot the windlass' and then had to help several people already at the lock before Freedom and Sark came into view.

 

 

We finally arrived at my favourite place...The pig place at Aynho.

The sausages are amazing....and the piglets are really cute!

 

 

We carried on through to Aynho Wharf passing the railway arches running alongside the canal.

 
The hand painted sign before Upper Heyford.

 

We moored up for the night not far from this farm .

 

 

Next morning we set off bright and early and soon came to our first lift bridge of the day...Greg got off to take pictures of some of the lovely houses...guess which one he liked the best?

 

 

Going under the bridge at Lower Heyford we got quite a shock...

That's what happens Dot when you eat rabbit......they start to fight back!!!

 

 

We went through some beautiful countryside and then arrived at the enchanted Tea Gardens.

All the tables were outside with brightly coloured table cloths on and lanterns hanging in the trees.

 

We met this cheerful man in his little boat who was zipping around all over the place. We were amazed at how quick it could turn.

Would you believe it?

 

The church at Thrupp. We managed to fill up with water as we passed through.

The cottages are lovely here.

 

 

We finally moored up on the Thames back water that leads from Dukes cut to Kings Lock.

 

 

Happy days.

P.S

I nearly got a lovely photograph of a robin for you to paint dad...but it flew away just as I clicked the button!