We had a leisurely start to the day this morning, hoping the weather would improve, but no it started to drizzle.

Leaving the excellent Osney moorings behind us, we immediately went past Sheepwash Channel. This is one of the ways to get onto the Oxford Canal, but we opted to stay on the Thames for 2 more locks, and use Dukes Cut instead.

Leaving central Oxford behind we emerged onto the meadows. Unlike most towns there is no mooring permitted, instead it was full of wildfowl. Of course during winter it would be flooded.

After 30 mins or so Godstow Lock, and Nunnery emerged, the later being ruined. As usual the lock was unmanned and is last automated one on the Thames going upstream.

The river twists and turns now, quite unlike downstream. Numerous sunken boats sighted during this cruise are testament to its power, you can’t just leave a boat moored up unattended all winter. The mooring ropes require constant attention, something we don’t have to do, being on a canalised part of the Wey.

All too soon we were thru Kings Lock, turned to starboard and entered Dukes Cut. Immediately things narrowed down, and there was no current ! Time to throttle back.

We had to do 2 narrow locks, with boats appearing all around us…..frantic tiller waggling and Hazels experience helped some hirers thru before it was our turn. I’d forgotten just how narrow they are ! Our boat is 6’10” wide, the lock 7’….yes I have 1 inch spare each side, with the fenders up !

I’d obviously not lost the touch, no loud bangs or crashes ! Next up Hazels favourite…….hand wound pedestrian lift bridges. It took 70 turns to wind up…..17 to let down….slow hydraylics

One of the joys of the canal are reflections and bridges. With the sun out, and a nice twisty course, there were plenty of both.

I decided to push onto Thrupp. Last time coming thru I’d had an abscess under a tooth, today was a lot better, and our late lunch mooring has morphed into an overnight stay. It felt good to finally get Prime Thyme onto a canal after 5 years ownership.