Saturday 18th August; Aristotle bridge to Jericho
After waiting for a while to ensure the boats moving on from Jericho had gone, we cruised down to Isis lock. The winding hole at the end of the canal in Oxford is for boats 50’ or less; we are 55’, more when you add fenders, so down the lock we went to wind in the Sheepwash channel, which leads to the Thames itself. There is an electronic board now at the lock showing the river levels, and beside the indicator lights is a series of diagrams showing a recommended method for turning. I think the title is somewhat misleading though – these are instructions for turning back onto the canal, not what you would do to turn onto the Thames!
It took a while to see what they were getting at, but it was easy enough when we tried it. We winded here before some years ago, just turning in the stream in the normal way, but this was an extremely easy and fuss-free method. I took this picture after I released the bow rope and Dave was letting the stern drift round in the current.
and here he is coming back towards the lock.
We moored opposite the fencing obscuring the land behind St Barnabas church. It hasn’t changed in the two years since we were last here! Still all grand plans with no action. We rushed up to town to get a bit of shopping in, leaving instructions to our daughter on where to find the key. By the time we got back Jen had arrived with Will and young Finn and made a cup of tea for us all. We packed up our picnic and walked down to pick up the Thames path, passing the derelict rail swing bridge on the way.
We pitched up at the same picnic place as yesterday, as it’s an excellent spot. No boats running aground to keep us entertained today, so instead we played at skimming stones, though the pebbles here aren’t flat enough to skip more than once or twice. Finn wanted a go – I think he did quite well for 18 months, don’t you?
On the way back Meg managed to drop her ball in the river, just where the bank is too high to recover it. But luckily there was a passing canoeist to help …. I took this just as he was picking it up and before he threw it onto the bank – not the best picture I’m afraid.
Across Port Meadow we went and into Aristotle Gardens with its wonderful little playpark. This is deservedly popular with the locals - and visitors too!
Once we got back to the boat there was time for tea and cake before they had to get their train.
A while later there was a bit of a commotion as a crew of pirates moored in front of us. Yes, it was a stag party group! Meg entertained them for a while, rather getting in the way but they didn’t seem to mind.
They promised to be quiet when they came back tonight ….
We just went to the Four Candles (the Wetherspoon’s) to eat and did not go clubbing. We didn’t hear the lads come back to their boat either.
About 1½ miles, 2 locks (Isis lock, down and up).
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