The heat builds

Saturday 23^rd May; Spiceball Park to near King’s Sutton lock

It was already hot in the sunshine at 7.30, but the water was calm and no boats were yet on the move.

Early reflections at Spiceball Park

With M&S only 10 minutes away over the footbridge I went up for a chicken and the newspaper before we moved on down to Castle Quays, where we nabbed one of the few available spots, outside the social club – in deep shade.  First we walked through to Lidl for fresh veg and bread, then I popped over to the shopping centre to post a birthday card – at least I thought it would be ‘popping over’ but somehow took a wrong turning and went completely the wrong way.  Eventually I found WHSmith which holds the Post Office (does anyone call WHSmith the stupid rebranding name?  I don’t know anyone who does, certainly not the helpful chap in M&S who told me that's where the Post Office is now) but I discovered the PO was closed – they didn’t say why – and instructions to give your post to a member of staff.  Oh no, they said, you have to go to the post box in the square.  At least the market was on and I got some Banbury Cakes and a punnet of English strawberries.  On the way back I passed several empty units, including Debenhams which will have been empty for a while now.  Then we went through the lift bridge to the vacant water point.  No-one seemed to be in on the Milly M, Maffi’s boat which is moored at  Tooley's Boatyard, but then he strolled by and was soon joined by Susan, who we haven’t met before.  After a lovely chat we only moved on down the lock because a boat was coming up for water!

How do they keep their foot in that odd position?   They seem to find it comfortable.

We stopped at Nadkey Bridge outside Banbury for a late lunch in a tiny patch of shade.  But it wasn’t going to last so we moved on to find something better.

The fields in the area all have a wide border of grass surrounding the crop further into the field.

The cottage at Grant’s Lock, which was burnt out in an arson attack in 2020, is still an empty shell.  An article in the Oxford Mail last October said plans had been submitted for its restoration, but nothing is happening as yet.

Still unloved.

We cruised on in the sweltering heat past Twyford Wharf, where one of the trees nearby is swathed in netting.

Maybe a cherry tree netted against the birds?

We moored at the first suitable spot, at the shady end of the Armco above King’s Sutton lock.  The M40 is a bit noisy but it’s too hot to go further.

Nearly 4 miles, 2 locks, 1 lift bridge