4th August
Awful day yesterday with winds of 20mph battering us from Wallingford. As a result we called it a day around 2pm in the gentle shelter of Clifton Lock Cut at £8.90 a night. It was a relief to stop, not because the going was particularly hard but just that relentless wind is like a slow torture on such open waters. We were exhausted! Pete managed to paddle his new canoe however and we enjoyed a peaceful evening.
Today, sunshine again at at last. Still windy but not as bad. A warm cruise then through Abingdon Lock with a new-to-boating couple (we presumed) as they moored to wait for the lock halfway along the waiting place even though they had just past us in the river and knew how long we were. Pete stopped about 15cms from their stern and the owner chirped up with " have you got enough room, should we move up?" - he had already tied off his ropes, so only just! Then at Sandford Lock we waited whilst it emptied of boats and started to go in and the volunteer lock keeper proceeded to shut the gates! Hooting and whistling, we got his attention and got in - he did apologise, he hadn't seen us! We were followed in by a beautifully planted and well cared for narrowboat which we had seen earlier aground in Abingdon ( he was being rescued as we passed). This elderly gentleman owner got his stern rope onto the bollard and the lady lock keeper put his bowline on for him and walked the rope back for him to hold. But there was no elderly gentleman at the back of the boat to take it, nor was he holding his stern rope; nowhere to be seen. The lock keeper gave a loud whistle as good as any I have ever heard at a rock concert ( she surprised herself) and Pete called and banged the side of our boat to draw the skipper's attention to no avail. In his own sweet time, he reappeared with a cup of tea!!!! Presumably he assumed that the lady lock keeper would control his ropes for him? What with that and the volunteer then opening the sluices without watching for the lock keepers go-ahead, we decided it was amateur hour! Hey ho, that's boating for you.
We took up a mooring by the Punters pub in Oxford again and walked to our more favoured Bookbinders for a French evening meal - yummy. The landlord's dog, Belle, sits in a chair opposite the door and surveys all who pass through with what appears to be utter disdain or may simply be boredom! A sign above her says 'if you want the best seat in the house, move the dog' ! Their wi-fi password is welovebelle and don't we just!
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
Awful day yesterday with winds of 20mph battering us from Wallingford. As a result we called it a day around 2pm in the gentle shelter of Clifton Lock Cut at £8.90 a night. It was a relief to stop, not because the going was particularly hard but just that relentless wind is like a slow torture on such open waters. We were exhausted! Pete managed to paddle his new canoe however and we enjoyed a peaceful evening.
Today, sunshine again at at last. Still windy but not as bad. A warm cruise then through Abingdon Lock with a new-to-boating couple (we presumed) as they moored to wait for the lock halfway along the waiting place even though they had just past us in the river and knew how long we were. Pete stopped about 15cms from their stern and the owner chirped up with " have you got enough room, should we move up?" - he had already tied off his ropes, so only just! Then at Sandford Lock we waited whilst it emptied of boats and started to go in and the volunteer lock keeper proceeded to shut the gates! Hooting and whistling, we got his attention and got in - he did apologise, he hadn't seen us! We were followed in by a beautifully planted and well cared for narrowboat which we had seen earlier aground in Abingdon ( he was being rescued as we passed). This elderly gentleman owner got his stern rope onto the bollard and the lady lock keeper put his bowline on for him and walked the rope back for him to hold. But there was no elderly gentleman at the back of the boat to take it, nor was he holding his stern rope; nowhere to be seen. The lock keeper gave a loud whistle as good as any I have ever heard at a rock concert ( she surprised herself) and Pete called and banged the side of our boat to draw the skipper's attention to no avail. In his own sweet time, he reappeared with a cup of tea!!!! Presumably he assumed that the lady lock keeper would control his ropes for him? What with that and the volunteer then opening the sluices without watching for the lock keepers go-ahead, we decided it was amateur hour! Hey ho, that's boating for you.
We took up a mooring by the Punters pub in Oxford again and walked to our more favoured Bookbinders for a French evening meal - yummy. The landlord's dog, Belle, sits in a chair opposite the door and surveys all who pass through with what appears to be utter disdain or may simply be boredom! A sign above her says 'if you want the best seat in the house, move the dog' ! Their wi-fi password is welovebelle and don't we just!
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
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