Banbury

I realised when I started typing this that I had carefully typed but not published my last two posts so there are three to read today!

As I need to be in Banbury on Wednesday for my lift to the Roving Canal Traders meeting with C&RT we decided to spend Sunday where we were. I didn't want to spend too many days moored in an urban environment.

We had some entertainment yesterday as a cow (generic term not sure if it was female or male) came running along the towpath past the boat. At the same time all the cows in the field opposite went galloping along the canal bank.I'm not sure if they were cheering it on in it's bid for freedom or telling it to get back where it belonged. About five minutes later we had the repeat performance in the opposite direction.  When we did move this morning it seemed as if everyone was on the move, at least six boats came past us before we pulled pins and headed for the lock and there were another three following us down.

It was only a short journey from Slat Mill to Banbury so the slightly slow journey, having to refill every lock,didn't matter. It was yet another wild and windy journey, I had hoped to moor by Spiceball Park but the visitor moorings there were fully occupied so we carried on,stopped for fuel at Sovereign Wharf and moored on the 48 hr moorings at Castle Quay. It is convenient for the shops but no good for the cats so we will probably move a little way tomorrow but still within walking distance of the town centre.

Today's journey 3.1 miles and 3 locks


This year we have travelled 163.9 miles, 173 locks, 5 swing bridges and 1 tunnel

In 2012 we travelled 876.9 miles, 675 locks,  55 swing bridges, 23 lift bridges and 31 tunnels

In 2011 we travelled 461.4 miles, 444 locks, 3 swing bridges, 34 lift bridges and 15 tunnels

During 2010 we travelled 740.3 miles, 642 locks, 53 swing bridges, 4 lift bridges and 25 tunnels

Since Ray retired we have travelled 2242.5 miles, 1933 locks, 116 swing bridges, 61 lift bridges and 72 tunnels