Quiet morning, Augusta has a hiccup, and flooding down the way.

 Our overnight mooring was so peaceful and quiet that the dawn chorus felt incredibly loud. Through the clouds there was blue! Just enough blue to patch a Dutchmans trousers, as a friend of ours would say. But a joy to see some sunshine for a change.
We got away early from our isolated spot and meandered down the canal. The Oxford is what is known as a contour canal, so it follows the contours of the countryside. In other words, it curves and winds and wiggles it's own merry way. Charming, but extravagantly indirect. We went through our first lift bridge of the journey...kind of exciting to do something new.
Claydon locks are the next stage. Five locks that take us down into the Cherwell Valley. Many hands about to make light work...thank goodness, for my hands have the strength of a two year old today.
All was going quite well until we reached the bottom of the flight. Augusta decided to hiccup.
Dave tells me...the throttle linkage became disconnected from the engine, inside the lock! So no umph to move her. A hex bolt needed to be tightened and of course the only allen key missing from the set was the one needed. With the help of the boat that wanted to enter the lock we towed Augusta by her centre line and moored up. Dave was so apologetic and embarrassed. Naughty Augusta.
Today I name Dave "Heath Robinson" with a screwdriver and grub screws he fixed her throttle until we have time and a chandlers to buy a replacement.


So that was exciting.
Continuing on our merry way. The canal is narrow and winding as we head into Cropredy. A quiet pretty sort of place. Cropredy has a place in most folkies hearts, for its festival and for Fairport Convention. So, of course, we sang our way through our favourite album Leige and Leif.
According to the plan, we were to stop overnight in Banbury. Feeling pleased with ourselves we've moored across from the historic Tooleys Yard. This boatyard is the last remainder of the Banbury Canal terminus surviving since 1790. It still has a working blacksmith (offering courses), and a dry dock.
Dave went for a little walk around while I pottered in the galley. Coming back he announced "Lonnie, we now live in Banbury!" "oh really? Is it that lovely here?" "No dear...the canal is closed to the south of us, due to the Cherwell river flooding...they can't tell the canal from the river, and are turning boats back. Bugger
So here we are. Moored in the middle of Banbury and will be here for the foreseeable future.
We shall have to see what happens tomorrow.