At last we have made it onto the Thames after an eventful day. More problems with THE tooth saw me make a decision to abandon our Lechlade leg and head straight to Oxford. Fellow Sea Otter owner John gave me some instructions and we headed for Sheepwash Channel. As the rain and wind increased we spied a gentleman and a dog waving at us, John and Jack to the rescue ! Guiding us through Oxford we refuelled at College Cruisers, a whole £25 which will get us home, and thru Isis lock onto the Thames. By now it was raining heavily, Jack being an intelligent dog had taken refuge in the cabin, whilst we stayed in the rain. There was lots of mooring at Osney Island, and a short walk saw refuge and a warm cuppa, thanks Eric ! Being ever helpful John drove us to the dentist, and Hazel shopped. Thankfully this dentist was a lot better than the last one I saw, THE BUTCHER OF WEST BYFLEET, and an abscess was diagnosed. The new filling adjusted and antibiotics administered saw instant relief. Well done Botley Dental Clinic ! He was my kind of dentist when he prescribed an antibiotic that could be taken with alcohol ! After all he said, you are supposed to be on holiday.

We also got to see Osney Venture, another 27′ SO and John allowed me the privilege of starting her up for the first time since its new starter motor was fitted. Subtle differences were examined, and their cratch table admired. The day finished off on a high with dinner at the local pub, along with 4 Canadian fellow canal boaters    we had being playing tag with at the locks that morning. Hopefully the tooth will now settle and we can enjoy the rest of the Thames. Once again a big thank you to John, Eric and Jack !

Dukes Cut junction with South Oxford canal

Osney Venture

What a cratch table !

Double locking !

Well we are moored up just outside of Kiddlington on the outskirts of Oxford. We had hoped to moor in the town or on the Thames but the weather closed in. Not so much the rain but the wind made steering difficult, especially when it was from the side. That’s one disadvantage of a Sea Otter, it weighs 3 ton compared to up to 20 tons the big ones weigh. The locks leading into Thrup were interesting in that we double locked in a narrow lock ! Our 27′ and a 42′ singlehanded squeezed in and went thru. Plenty of room once inside but a bit squeezey openning the gate. The lock exiting the Cherwell was a diamond shaped one like Aynho. We stopped at the Boat Inn for lunch, and moored up when a storm front approached. I’ll decide wether it’s Dukes Cut or The Sheepwas Channel for entering the Thames tomorrow after phoning John a fellow SO owner who lives on the river. Unfortunately my cracked tooth has started playing up again, so we will be a dry boat tonight ( to Penny’s relief ).

Shipton Weir Lock – River Cherwell

nb The singlehanded is removing his bike from the roof to fit under the lock bridge. We watched him tackle a lift bridge from the front of his boat using a boat hook. Most impressive !