Friday prayers got me up and about early (for me – everything’s relative!) and then off to Morrison’s, which I discovered was less than a five minute walk from the boat. A heavy backpack and carrying two heavy shopping bags meant the walk back felt a lot longer! Turning on the boat engine for half an hour meant I could have a nice hot bath and hair wash before setting off for the Banbury laundrette, the one I had used on our previous visit, so it was nice to be recognised and have a chat. Found a takeaway coffee nearby and a bench to sit on conscious of my still damp hair and warnings ringing in my ears from long ago of the dangers of catching a chill from not drying your hair properly. A bit of an issue on the boat with no hair dryer! I needed to finish my talk for the evening FS meeting so was grateful for the lack of other distractions. The joy I feel arriving back aboard with my dry clean laundry has not abated – I realise it’s one of my week’s highlights. How sad is that although it could be a reminder of how much pleasure we can get from ordinay everyday things. A bit like enjoying a cup of coffee in an outdoor cafe chatting with a friend. Funny to think how much we took that simple pleasure for granted!
Youngest son P arrived to assist me with a few locks and it was so good to see him. We moved the boat to the water point and whilst it was filling I gave P my credit card suggesting he have a very quick browse in Debenhams, with its 70% off, closing down sale, as it was literally a half minute walk away. Meanwhile as the boat was filling I noticed a boat just about to exit the lock that I then wanted to go through, so I asked them not to shut the gates. The possibility arose in my mind that some other boat may come from behind and ‘steal the lock’ whilst I was still using the water tap. I didn’t really want the delay of a boat going through before me as I would need to then empty the lock etc. It was a toss up between filling the tank to the brim or cutting the fillup slightly short. My mind was made up as another boat came into sight! I quickly disconnected the hose, plonked it on the bow, grabbed my mid rope and started pulling Wind Rose towards the open lock so that the boat slightly behind could see I was there first. It was akin to the same feeling you get when you think someone is going to pinch your car parking space! Seeing I was alone (P having not returned from spending my money in D!) one of the crew from the boat behind me immediately came and offered to work the lock which was incredibly kind and made me feel rather bad for not wanting them to get there before me! As a quid pro quo I said that I would wait for their boat to come up in the lock before opening the swing bridge that we had to go through. P had not yet returned so there was no point in rushing and I couldn’t reach him on his phone! However within a few minutes he appeared looking very pleased with his purchases – all bargains! And my card hadn’t melted so that was good although he did say he had had to remember my PIN because he was 10p over the limit of just being able to tap the card on the machine! As he went to get the windlass to operate the swingbridge we saw someone already there and I realised a boat was coming through from the other direction. A ‘Picadilly Circus’ moment as three boats had to dance around in a small pound careful not to bash each other!
Once through the bridge there was a long narrow slow stretch of canal with boats moored either side and again we had traffic coming in the other direction. Quite exciting really after having had almost exclusive use of the canal for so long! I saw we were gaining speed on a boat up ahead travelling in the same direction. Another first as I don’t remember ever having to queue before or adjust my speed to keep a safe distance from the boat in front. Eventually he sensed we were in a bit of a hurry and finding a wide stretch of canal stopped his boat and motioned for us to overtake which was very nice of him and I thanked him profusely. We were on a bit of a time schedule. The problem was that we were heading to Cropredy and needed to get there in good time to temporarily moor the boat, then walk along the towpath to see if we could find enough space to moor the boat with internet access. It was intermittent and the first good signal came after rising in another lock. So P stayed by the space so as not to lose it. Meanwhile I hurried back to the boat and navigated it along a stretch of canal chocca with moored boats so I could only go really slowly and then had to operate the lock, although P left his lookout point to come and assist. Eventually we moored up and I heaved a sigh of relief. There was about an hour before my FS talk began and I could relax knowing we had connection. If I am technically able I will download the talk, as it was recorded, or post a link. It chimes in with this blog as it’s the back story of how and why we are here and where we think we may be going!
On the towpath! 
NarrowboatTLC 