Hallmark glided away from its mooring above Abingdon Lock at 8:00am
It was so peaceful.
On the 4.5 miles to Sandford Lock which took almost one and a half hours I saw no boats and only one runner.
The lock was on self service and proved to be difficult. Was it the controls or was it me? I took ages as it kept resetting itself.
It is a lovely run into Oxford.
So many different bits.
The Thames Path has been improved a great deal.
Then its the boathouses. So many of them.
Then there is the Folly Bridge and loads of steamers. Is there room?
And lovely old terraced houses.
There is no signpost to the Oxford Canal at the Sheepwash Channel entrance.
Just remember the bridge!
The channel presented less fear than in 2010.
However parts are very narrow and the railway bridge is low
However I was at least clear where Louse Lock was this year and it had a new pontoon to moor up against.
This year there were plenty of mooring in Oxford especially near College Cruisers and they looked safe.
Why didn't I stop this year?
After that there are no real short term ones.
It is a good run to Thrupp but well worth the slog.
In the end the famous lift bridges are hard work............ actually tougher than locks.
Soon I had passed Dukes' Cut
All was going so well until I turned off Hallmark's engine off at the bridge (231).
When I tried to restart everything was dead.
Oh dear ......
So it was a call to River and Canal Rescue for help In under two hours they had the engine started and Hallmark was on course to make Thrupp after all.
The fault was a loose wire to the starter motor.
Tired with two hours lost I cruised into Thrupp and still found a great mooring.
It was too late to do anymore but go to The Boat Inn.
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