Hard locks

Sunday 24^th May; King’s Sutton lock to Somerton meadows

The boat was in full sun this morning and we were dressed for the heat when we left at 8.30.

A good spot on the way to King’s Sutton lock

There were only 4 locks to do today, three of which have a bit of a rep for toughness – Nell Bridge bottom gate, Aynho top gate, and Somerton Deep top paddles and both gates.  Luckily we met boats at all the locks.

King’s Sutton lock

One of these days we might visit King’s Sutton village, just to visit the church which is one of those landmarks which seems to switch sides as the canal changes direction, but it won’t be from the canal as the river Cherwell is in the way, not to mention the railway.  The nearest access is from the bridge back at Twyford Wharf.  We would have stopped at the Pig Place to visit the farm shop but there was no space on the moorings.  They do appear to want your custom though.

At Nell bridge lock a boat was coming up so we pulled in and I went to help the crew close the bottom gate, which is very hard to get moving when you want to close it.  It’s not so difficult to open, so we were  halfway to Aynho before they had got into the lock.  At Aynho it took a long time for the water to equalise when I filled it – the bottom gate leaks – and I managed to get the gate started without much problem, but even in my grippy boating shoes I couldn’t get beyond the first row of bricks.  At full stretch with my little legs I couldn’t reach back to the next row, and the brick surface between the two is so smooth I couldn’t hold the weight of the gate and push effectively.  Luckily for me a passer-by stopped to help and obligingly helped me close it too once Dave had brough the boat in.  A boat arrived as we were leaving so I could leave the bottom gate for them.

The helpful chap is sitting on the bench having some elevenses

In spite of Factor 50 on the back of my neck I felt it beginning to scorch as we slowly passed all the moored boats at Aynho and I had to don Jess’s red boating scarf.  It was too hot for cruising but there weren’t really any good shady spots, so we thought we’d grit our teeth and aim for Somerton Meadows.

Chisnell Lift bridge now has windlass-operated hydraulic mechanism

Somerton Deep lock was empty and a hire boat was just arriving so I opened the bottom gate for them.  The top paddle gear is very stiff and I showed the young lad crew member how to do it two-handed with two windlasses.  I chatted to his Grandad as their boat rose up the lock.  In the ’80s as a teenager he used to walk up here with his mates and buy ice-creams at the lock cottage.  Then the second private jet we had seen this morning flew over.  The other man on the boat asked if that was a Lear jet – yes it was, and apparently Oxford airport is often used by the Formula 1 motor racing teams, which all have bases around the Oxford area.  They use their private jets to fly out parts as necessary when the teams are away on their Grand Prix jaunts.  I had thought there might be an airfield at Kidlington – but it is actually London Oxford (OXF, not LOX as I guessed it might be).   We did see other small planes later in the week, seemingly having gone round in a circle – pilot training also happens there and they do landing/take-off practice.  I had to close the bottom gate on my own as the canal was now very quiet – the gate’s heavy but doable.

No ice creams today

We went on, crossing our fingers that there would be space on the meadows where there are some stretches of shade.  The first patch was occupied by cattle.  There was room for us too but as the cows had  their calves with them, and we had our dog with us, we didn’t think that was such a good idea.  There was plenty of space at the far end, and in lovely shade too.  Before we had lunch Dave checked the wi-fi signal.  In previous years there has been none at all, even using phone tethering.  Luckily there was a strong signal.  I didn’t want to move again after lunch, and Dave wanted to watch a critical footy match – if Spurs were to lose they would be relegated and that is a really BIG DEAL! 

Just perfect

As we could remove the hopper windows and have the hatch open, I cooked the chicken which I had intended as a Sunday roast.  Somehow a roast dinner did not tempt us today.  We would have the chcken cold with potatoes and salad.  Later in the afternoon the sun had moved round to shine along the length of the boat so we didn’t get unbearably hot because the windows could stay out.  I started the long job of cleaning the glass and the window channels of the algae which builds up over the autumn and winter.  It was a beautiful and calm evening.  Spurs had saved their bacon by the skin of their teeth, a cuckoo had been calling all afternoon and the cattle had decamped to the trees by the river across the meadow.  Eventually they all wandered off to the next field, led by a black cow who must have been the matriarch as she led them to the river too.  They grazed as they went.

The bull just followed his ladies.  Some of the calves were clearly his offspring, though many were a lovely russet red like most of the cows (and the Red Devon cattle at home).

The stragglers took about half an hour to disappear.  By about 8.30 it was just about cool enough for Jess to get her walk, over to the river now the cattle had gone.  Dave saw an owl as dusk fell but I missed it.

4 locks, 1 lift bridge, about 6 miles, over 30 degrees