Oxford

Having spent a long very hot weekend at Abingdon we set off cruising again on  Monday morning. We shopped first and let the early birds go, but alas caught up with them at the first lock queue at Abingdon lock! Here were also the facilities which we needed, It seems so did everyone else! Andy hovered the boat mid stream for about 10 mins then we double bunked on another boat and awaited our turn for water. I think we were here for about an hour and a half waiting and filling. Had some nice chats with fellow narrowboaters, like you do, and proceeded off towards Sandford.


Nuneham House

On approaching Sandford lock we noticed the 'self service' sign open and spotting a lady operating the machinery I went to ask her where was the lockkeeper? Gone to lunch was the reply. We decided to brave it and operate the lock ourselves. (Only the deepest lock on the Thames at 8' 10") The lady leaving the lock left the gates open and Andy proceeded to bring Josephine in. I awaited on the lockside and he threw me both the stern rope and then the bow rope which I duly tied off whilst he held the stern rope. Whist organising this another narrowboat approached and followed us in. As it turned out they had done the locks before so I proceeded to ask her to do it and I would watch. Again after having secured their boat another 2 boats came along so the process of tying off boats started again! I then went with the original boater to operate the lock. All went well and I proceeded to fill the lock at the other end and then open the gates to let all the boats out. Phew! All went according to plan. As we had met the crew of one of the 'late' boats "Effie May" we moored up the other side of the lock and lunched at the pub at Sandford.
It was stifling on the boat and we hoped for a thunder storm. We had no shelter and inside the boat it was reaching 36 degrees. We were in luck at about 7.00 p.m it thundered and we had a small storm but a fair amount of rain. We sat on the front deck just getting soaking wet! It was such a relief from the heat.
Morning came and we set off for Oxford. Effie May had already gone and we did not see her again. As we set off for Iffley lock we thought the threat of rain had passed and it was a bit fresher than yesterday. Andy had not long said to the lockkeeper that he thought we would not get rain when a storm bubbled up and hey presto it chucked it down. The rain was so heavy that it was like trying to see your way through fog! I was busy shutting all the doors and rolling the cratch covers down when he spotted what he thought was a mooring big enough for Josephine. We got her in and stood on the towpath in the pouring rain trying to tie her up. After about 5 mins of course the storm stopped. And yes we were dripping wet again!







 

Iffley Lock

Towpath bridge - Iffley Lock

However, there is always a silver lining and these moorings turned out to be the nearest ones to Oxfrord city centre. We would probably have gone by them if it had not been for the storm.
We actually moored by the park along from the Head of The River pub where we met for Caroline's hen party, a few years ago now.
Have been for a saunter around Oxford and attach some snaps of some of the marvellous architecture. We had included a visit to Blackwells (bookshop). The biggest bookshop I have been in. Unfortunately I had forgotten to put my glasses in my bag, so alas another visit is planned for tomorrow. Weather set to be a bit cooler tomorrow so It may be a bit easier for walking around sightseeing. Will be leaving the Thames the day after, having spent 3 weeks on her. We have thoroughly enjoyed our time on the Thames and can't wait to do it again, next year perhaps?