Another wet and windy day

Friday 25th

Pissing down all day so had a day of dong nothing.

Now I know it's raining and some people obviously want to get somewhere but that's no reason to go charging past without any attempt to slow down, and these weren't hire boats,

Even got the name of the worst culprit, nb Verity I shall be looking out for you. 

Last nights Sunset from Somerton 

Sat 26th

Set off early with the idea of getting near to Banbury to do Morrison's then maybe stop in town and see if I can find Bones . 

Bit windy but ok. Got to Somerton deep lock, no problem until I tried to close the the gate which is a big deep gate and with the wind funnelling into the lock mouth I couldn't budge it. Had to wait until some walkers came past and asked them to help ( cost me 3 lollypops).

Got a little further along to 193 Chisnell lift bridge where there was a guy struggling, the bridge wouldn't stay up because of the wind and it was to dangerous to pass under. In the end he managed to tie it down and we got. Through, certainly didn't hang about.

Got to Aynho wharf and decided I didn't fancy arm wrestling The wind anymore so stopped on the  arnco just before the lift bridge (189)

Aynho in the distance 

Sunday 26

Woke up this morning to wind and rain so it's very unlikely I'll move today. There's no point in going out in that weather when I don't have to, got all summer and autumn and anyway still don't know where I'm heading.

It brightened up for a while this afternoon so walked up to Aynho weir lock, where the river Cherwell crosses the canal just after the lock, was just in time to help and watch a boat through. No problem so if it's not bucketing it down tomorrow I might give it a go.

Tramps been going off to another boat just along the canal. Turns out they have a bitch on heat, don't know what old no nuts thought he could do. Still don't suppose he knows that.

Worth getting up early for

April the 21st 

Worth getting up for

April 22nd

The infamous Maffi of Thrupp very generously gave me a lift into Sainsbury's. I was going to go on the bus and get a taxi back. Managed to get 10 bottles of wine and a bunch of other stuff, should last a while .

Cooked Sausage onions and mash for me and Tramp 

April 23rd

9am and I've emptied the porta loo  and filled the water tank so ready for the off.

Took a slow chug up to Enslow and got some diesel at the boat yard, must be the most expensive on the Oxford, £1.12 per ltr. Waited half an hour for someone to come and serve me then told that they don't take cards cash only, which was fine as it meant I could only buy £60 worth.

Went under the lifting bridge 215 which is the one I painted on the side of me Dhoby bucket, copied of the net, looks a lot rougher than in the painting. 

Got stuck trying to get into Pigeon Lock, the gate wouldn't open fully and I got Penarrow wedged, had to punch a fender away with the pole and then give it some wellie to get in.

Passed a terrific place, a cafe come tea garden all spread along the canal side, called through the arch but sadly couldn't see how you could more on that side of the canal.

When I got to Northbrook Lock I almost had the same trouble only this time I lifted the fenders but still had to give it some wellie 

It started to rain so tagged on to the end of some moorings at Lower Heyford. Gonna call it a day only problem is there doesn't appear to be any internet reception . Telefonica seems to be working but not getting anything. Bummer 

April 24th 

Walking the Tramp I came across another Stowe Hill built boat "Cowslip" 

Left them a message.

Chugged up to Mill lift bridge at Lower Heyford anticipating a problem, as it's one of the only ones that's permanently down, buy a guy on a bike very kindly lifted it and waved me through. Tossed him one of me lollypops as a thank you.

Going to stop at Somerton today as it's got very good 3G reception. And also gonna wash me hair. No rush should still make Morrison's tomorrow for dog food and battery's that I forgot on Tuesday 

Mooring here until tomorrow 

Lovely quiet spot 

The start of this years adventure

Saturday the 12th April

Sam and Jon ( Green Boat Services) were working until 8pm but have finished 

I now have solar panels, should be sunny tomorrow so will be able to test them.

I think they've done an excellent job

Sam & Jon finishing fitting the last panel

Sunday 13 April

Panels up and running 

All the configurations that the panels can be set at ( courtesy of Green Boat Services)

Disaster Sam gives her Galaxy the float test, Jon being the gentleman he is makes the twinkle toe search and find the lost Galaxy. 

What's more after a thorough drying out it works.

Monday the 14th, and the adventure truly begins 

Penarrow leaving Abingdon marina. Photo courtesy of the lovely Volonia @nbthegreenman, who looked after Penarrow all through the winter floods, hope the survey of the old boat went well and you have happy times on the new one.

Penarrow going up past Sam and Jon at Green Boat Services

Day was going fine, stopped at Waitrose to get some bits then off up to Abingdon lock, through with no trouble only to meet a load of charter boats from Reading. Aso saw Valhalla gave them a toot and wave. Don't like the stretch from Abingdon to Sandford it's very long and there is nowhere to stop. Got through Sandford lock and about half way to Iffley when a fan belt snapped, clouds of smoke and the smell of burning rubber, fortunately it was the belt on the domestic alternator so just kept going through the lock and moored up just past the boathouse where I moored last year .

Had a visit from the lovely Penny Schenk @galoot, Geoff was away but she said they would come up tp visit me at at Thrupp.

Tuesday 15th 

Jon came out, this morning to look at alternator

I had put another fan belt on only for it to immediately do the same thing

It turned out the alternator was completely seized and will have to be replaced. Fortunately it was the one that charges the domestic battery's.

There is a relay thing that when the engine battery is fully charged it switches to the domestic battery's also of course there are the new solar  panels.

So set off up the river through Osney Lock past the famouse Port Meddow to Godstow lock, which was unmanned but once I figured it out easy to operate ( just a matter of pushing the right buttons) then on to Kings lock round to dukes cut and on to the Oxford canal and up to Thrupp. All went well with no more problems except for the Lifting bridge at Drinkwaters which needed a key to unlock and of course I couldn't remember where I'd put it. Trythe boat key ring, no not that one wthe ignition key one the one you have to turn off the engine to use.  Arrived at Thrupp at 5pm which wasn't bad going.

The first person I met on ariving was Maffi, asked about Bones but she's up at Banbury so will hope to see her there.

Managed to get onto exactly the same mooring as I was on last year. Now just have to wait for John to bring up the new alternator and some spare fan belts.

Wednesday 16th

Spent the day polishing the Port side of the boat will have a go at doing the other side tomorrow.

Spoke to Sam they are coming up on Friday with the new alternator and fan belt. 

Also got the phone No for the diesel man Dusty 07986189074

Thursday 17th 

Found some plywood on the dump, gonna be burned, 

Rescued a big piece and made a board to make up the settee birth better with enough left over to put a new lid on the coal box.

Had a message from Penny @galoot to say they were coming over to take me to dinner at the pub this evening,  sounds good.

Friday 18th

Had a very nice evening with Penny and Geoff. They took me to the Pub for a meal which was very nice of them, they are great company and a pleasure to be with.

Polished some of the front of the boat including the search light, looks better.

Sam Jon and his wife Ruth @saftyGr1el came down to Thrupp, we chatted while Jon fitted the new alternator and fan belts then we all went off to the pub for lunch, I got treated again, that's twice in as many days.

After they had gone I wondered if I would ever see them all again. Sam. Jon. Ruth. Penny, Geoff, Susanne and Rob. Then I thought how lucky I was to have met them all and there will always be Twitter and Email.

Soon I shall be off again on my travels and who knows who I will meet or where I will end up. Love the adventure.

Took Tramp for a walk in the pine woods and collected a bag of cones, excellent kindling , will get a bag every day that we are here and store them in the bow locker.

Oh if you should find this old duffer wondering around with his trolley asking for directions to Sainsbury's it means he's out of claret so treat him gently and point him in the right directions