Cropredy to Twyford Wharf…

It was a lovely relaxing day yesterday.  We did a bit of domestic stuff then Rog settled down to fish while I got stuck into my book.  We spotted a ‘celebrity’ passing us during the afternoon:

Yes ‘The’ nb Muddy Waters – I’m sure everyone has heard of the Muddy Waters series of children’s books by now – we buy them for our granddaughters, and they love them (pity I missed Muddy’s face by a few seconds)

Two of the characters have been turned into real boats – Muddy is for holiday hire, and Jolly is a day boat – both can be hired from Oxfordshire Narrowboats

We also had a lovely sunset, but the photo doesn’t do it justice

This morning we set off for Banbury.  It was another lovely morning, but with a chilly wind to start with.  We queued for the first and second lock, and Cassie found a huge pile of weed that had been pulled from the canal yesterday – she had a lovely time rummaging around in it – but she was filthy and stank by the time she got back on the boat – that dog just loves to be dirty!

Just north of Banbury, where the M40 crosses the canal, there is a lot of work going on.  A new marina is being built apparently, and also a flood barrier is being built between the River Cherwell and the canal.  The noise from all the diggers and lorries, plus the roar of the motorway was deafening!

Hope the bridge had been strengthened!

On the way into Banbury we spotted another ‘celebrity’ boat:

We beeped, but nobody was home – again! One day we’ll catch up with you, Bones!

We stopped in Banbury, but it was so busy and by now the weather was roasting hot,  that we made a quick dash to the M & S Food Hall to pick up a few supplies, then got out again quick!  We really don’t like crowded shopping centres any more. We hurried out into the peace of the countryside again and are moored near Twyford Wharf – well, it’s as peaceful as it gets around here – we can still hear the motorway.

6.3 miles and 5 locks