Oxford to Lower Heyford

The weather was set fair for the day. Alison had not been on this canal before so we decided to motor northwards for a bit. We left our lovely mooring adjacent to Hythe Bridge Street.



About as close to Oxford city centre as you can get!

Out of Oxford along past all of the 'Agenda 21' moorings, up through Duke's Lock and on to Kidlington.

Bridge 228 - Yarnton Road Bridge

Yarnton Road Bridge (228) is notoriously low. I always untie the wheelbarrow just in case it hits the underside of the bridge. This time we were OK because we had just filled with water and the bow was low in the water. We passed through Thrupp and Shipton-on-Cherwell.

Shipton Weir Lock

Shipton Weir Lock

Alison had not seen one of these before.


Kidlington to Oxford

Alison joined us at Kidlington for the trip down into Oxford. We went right down to the end of the canal at Hythe Bridge Street. Didn't bargain on picking up a great big fleece lined tartan jacket on the prop but fairly easily removed via the weed hatch.
Whilst in Oxford we went around the castle.

Stood on top of the old keep mound

Took selfies

Saw the inside of the old prison

Saw the old Saxon Church.

The inside of the church

Went up the old Saxon Church Tower and looked at the 'Dreaming Spires'

Oxford rooftops

and 'dreaming spires'

The tower

The old house opposite the tower.

 Then we went back to the boat for a cup of tea.

Heyford to Kidlington

Judy & I came up to Upper Heyford to take Constance down towards Oxford. As you can see we enjoyed some lovely weather. We also had to contend with storm Katie, but by then we were hove-to at Kidlington.

Allen's Lock - Upper Heyford

The cattle had come into the canal to take a drink

 We stopped at Pigeons Lock for lunch and there was a 'tap-tap' on the door. David had cycled up from his home in Oxford to join us. Together we moved south.

Now with two lock operators, down on to the Cherwell

The Cherwell was very well behaved considering the amount of rain we have had through March. Then through Thrupp. With crew the electric lift bridge is easy. We moored up at Kidlington where we could catch buses into and out of Oxford. We had a lovely weekend with David.