30.08.15
We arrive in Oxford in the pouring rain and moor opposite a favourite area: Jericho. We have passed the Agenda 21 residential boats on the way in, lots of them in a sorry state. And the backwater (Castle Mill Stream) on this mooring between canal and railway is obviously still an issue for the council, with scruffy boats moored hidden in the bushes and piled wood and assorted debris on its bank by the footbridge. A sunken wooden boat completes the miserable picture. I think the ownership of this stretch of water is under dispute and therefore moorings are free and easy. Both these lead-ins to Oxford contrast with the attractive Victorian 3 storied houses on the Jericho bank, their pretty gardens stretching down to the water with summerhouses and huge willows.
We had hoped the development on the Jericho side of the end of the canal might have been started by now but it seems not. There is a plan to re-open a small wharf (at the moment and for some time since we've been coming here; hidden from the canal by ugly wooden panels) and for a piazza of cafés and galleries around it, the whole development being backed by an existing grand church, St Barnabas, whose original congregation probably consisted of the iron workers and then the bookbinders who lived and worked here. It seems the only change is that Oxford Cruisers hire boat business has been moved, which makes it easier to cruise through!
Along this stretch a large family (grandparents, mum, dad, and children) were gathered at Wolvercote Lock gongoozling. As our boat descended, the 2 small children excitedly recorded that we had a sofa (we haven't!) some books, a washing line (I'm glad to say they didn't announce that our underwear was drying on it) and some biscuits!! And one declared that he would like to live on a boat. I expect it was the biscuits that swayed him! Very sweet enthusiastic children who were delighted a little further on because they had 'beaten us' into town, not difficult to outrun a narrowboat especially when you are only 8 and 5!
The rain didn't let up, so we lit the fire to counteract the gloom and left it in for our return from the Bookbinders pub; a favourite. Tomorrow: a walk into beautiful Oxford.
The backwater mess
St Barnabas
We arrive in Oxford in the pouring rain and moor opposite a favourite area: Jericho. We have passed the Agenda 21 residential boats on the way in, lots of them in a sorry state. And the backwater (Castle Mill Stream) on this mooring between canal and railway is obviously still an issue for the council, with scruffy boats moored hidden in the bushes and piled wood and assorted debris on its bank by the footbridge. A sunken wooden boat completes the miserable picture. I think the ownership of this stretch of water is under dispute and therefore moorings are free and easy. Both these lead-ins to Oxford contrast with the attractive Victorian 3 storied houses on the Jericho bank, their pretty gardens stretching down to the water with summerhouses and huge willows.
We had hoped the development on the Jericho side of the end of the canal might have been started by now but it seems not. There is a plan to re-open a small wharf (at the moment and for some time since we've been coming here; hidden from the canal by ugly wooden panels) and for a piazza of cafés and galleries around it, the whole development being backed by an existing grand church, St Barnabas, whose original congregation probably consisted of the iron workers and then the bookbinders who lived and worked here. It seems the only change is that Oxford Cruisers hire boat business has been moved, which makes it easier to cruise through!
Along this stretch a large family (grandparents, mum, dad, and children) were gathered at Wolvercote Lock gongoozling. As our boat descended, the 2 small children excitedly recorded that we had a sofa (we haven't!) some books, a washing line (I'm glad to say they didn't announce that our underwear was drying on it) and some biscuits!! And one declared that he would like to live on a boat. I expect it was the biscuits that swayed him! Very sweet enthusiastic children who were delighted a little further on because they had 'beaten us' into town, not difficult to outrun a narrowboat especially when you are only 8 and 5!
The rain didn't let up, so we lit the fire to counteract the gloom and left it in for our return from the Bookbinders pub; a favourite. Tomorrow: a walk into beautiful Oxford.
The backwater mess
St Barnabas
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