Ray can't swim,official

Yesterday was a bit windy so we remained moored up and tried to get some washing dry. Today we pulled pins and headed for Kidlington. The journey included a short stretch where the River Cherwell and the canal share a mutual course. The indicator boards were on the amber but there was barely any difference between being on the canal and being on the river. The locks on the South Oxford are hugely variable,some are quite easy to work and some are very hard work.

We had hoped to moor at Thrupp but there wasn't a space big enough for us to fit into so we continued to Roundham Lock near Kidlington where we found loads of space. It was only about a mile and a half further on. From our mooring it was an easy walk to Kidlington High Street where there is both Tesco and the Co-op so our bread and milk got replenished.

Our excitement for the day came at Thrupp, the map appeared to show the waterpoint and other facilities after the lift bridge so we were lining Morgana up for the turn and the bridge. Then we realised that the facilities were before the bridge, narrowboats don't do sudden manoeuvres very easily. I was edging my way closer to the bank with a forward and back shuffle when Ray decided he could jump the gap, rope in hand. Guess what? He couldn't!! He almost made it and ended up hanging onto the canalside trying to haul himself out. I couldn't help him, I had knocked the engine into neutral when he hit the water, the most dangerous thing when someone is in the water is a rotating propeller. Because he had let go of the rope I couldn't put the engine back into gear until I had rescued the trailing end of the rope from the water in case the rope got caught round the prop. He managed to pull himself out onto the bank and I managed to get Morgana onto the mooring. He escaped without injury thankfully. Wet  through and slightly embarrassed but OK.

That was the story of our day!!

Today's journey 6.7 miles, 4 locks and 1 lift bridge

This year we have travelled 184.8 miles, 188 locks, 5 swing bridges, 4 lift bridges and 2 tunnels

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 2263.4 miles, 1949 locks, 116 swing bridges, 65 lift bridges and 73 tunnels