On to the Thames Oxford to Swinford



 

 

We did all the services on-board and took the boat nearer to Oxford and went and did some shopping for provisions fresh fruit etc.

After a late breakfast we went through  and out Isis Lock onto the Thames. It was good to be back on open water again and I opened up the throttle to give the engine a good old and probably much needed de-coke. ( At the risk of not being PC for the ladies this means getting rid of all the carbon deposits that build up on an engine when run at low temperatures). Meanwhile while I was enjoying a bit of speed ALL OF SIX KNOTS HA! Christine did a brilliant job of cleaning through the boat

as we sped along and NB Lottie is now spick an span below decks at least. My turn  tomorrow the topsides also need doing (rain permitting of course).

We were spoilt at the first lock we came to as we had forgotten that on the Thames, most of the locks have Lock Keepers, who operate the electric locks (and sometimes manual)  for you. We found our rope handling a bit rusty but eventually managed to lasso the bollards to secure the boat  fore and aft which is a requirement as you often share the locks with fibreglass boats which don't take kindly to being squashed by 17 tons of steel boat.

We did another two locks one unmanned as the lockkeeper was at lunch and the last one manned by two volunteers who were very personable and cheerful souls. This left the Lock Keeper free to tend to the garden area of the lock as it is a matter of pride on the Thames to keep the locks looking pristine and believe me they do.

We moored up on the visitors mooring just after the Lock and had a break and did a couple of maintenance jobs before venturing ashore to do a bit of exploring. We went to the village of Eynsham which was about 3/4 of a mile away from the river. A lovely little village with  a church three pubs a Co-Op  store  a newsagents and other trades to cater for all the immediate needs of the villagers. We had a drink in The Red Lion and made our way back to the boat for the evening. We were very lucky because as we settled down for the evening the heavens opened up  (what a shame for the Cropredy Folk Festival) but  we are all snug.

Locking through Isis Lock Thames here we come



Out onto the Thames getting ready to put the revs up

Godstow Lock with lock volunteer in attendance

Godstow Lock office and cottage Pristine as I said 


A couple of steam launches along the way
(plenty of enthusiasts about)
with The ruins of Godstow Abbey behind


Tillerman Tom pushing up the revs

The American Air Force use Brize Norton for training



A fellow boater from the River Nene a Mr Buckle I believe
who is a founder member or the Barnwell Boat club



They still take Tolls on the Swinford Road Bridge



Current Tariffs

 

 



Eynsham Village



Guess Who?




Were you Right ?




The Red Lion Eynsham a really friendly village pub

Time for a pint at The Red Lion

 

AND SAFELY BACK HOME