Banbury

It's a couple of weeks since the last post as I've been off  visiting family in Scarborough & then Eric has been to stay on board for half term. 
Whilst in Scarborough we went to visit Forbidden Corner near Middleham up in North Yorkshire &  Rob,Nicky & kids drove up from Hull to meet us there. The grandkids love it & the adults don't mind it! If you ever get the chance to visit it's well worthwhile.

A few words to guide you through the labyrinth

some of the clan

 Rob explaining the finer points of something to Fin

& some good views of the Dales

 Scarborough harbour,no Narrow boats here!

Once back in Banbury with Eric we spent the week cruising down to Kirtlington & back. The weather behaved itself & we had some good overnight moorings.

 One night was spent at the old quarry at Kirtlington which is now an SSSI.  It doesn't look much from the canal but worth going for an explore although we didn't find any fossils. We also explored the lovely village, very 'Miss Marple' & found the village shop for an ice cream. 

  Wild strawberries from the old quarry, small but sweet & tasty

 Yours truly waiting for 'Poppy' at Aynho Weir lock

  Eric waiting for Somerton Deep Lock to empty

 'Poppy' in the lock & yes it is deep...

 

 Bridge 193, most of the lift bridges were open but not this one,

 needs a BW key & a strong arm or two.

 Relaxing with a great view just past Bridge 193

No trees or roads so Sid off the lead, but all he really wanted to do was hide in the long grass.

On Friday we stopped off at Upper Heyford, we fancied an ice cream & decided to find the village shop which is signed from the bridge, only I didn't look properly so Eric & I walked right through the village & back to find the the village store is at the boatyard.... oh well, anyway when we got back to the boat we met fellow blogger Maffi who's been at this blogging lark a lot longer the me. It was nice to have a natter & put a face to the name.

Eric has returned home today ready for school ( & exams ) tomorrow. It's very quiet!  We shall move tomorrow up through Banbury to the 14 day spot between the railway & the motorway taking advantage of the service point as we go past.  Not an ideal spot but it will do while I catch up on the laundry etc & then we will wind, come back though Banbury, use the services again, stop off at Morrison's to restock the cupboards then it's south to Oxford & the Thames which I am really looking forward to.