0500hrs
Have we not learnt anything in our three years of owning our boat? In September 2022 we were on The Thames in London, wondering how the river would be flowing and if and when we could make it on to the River Wey. All through October, we were held up on Red boards (when the river stream is so fast, your insurance is invalidated if you do decide to travel and then have an accident) and eventually arrived at our winter mooring in Godalming a month late. Last year we high tailed it off the river Thames on to the Kennet & Avon, when we realised in late September the red boards were beginning to appear (and the Thames was predominantly on red boards until May!) and now, here we are in Oxford, moored up, in a nice little spot, with a red board! The section of the river we are on will be the last to return to yellow (proceed with caution) because in this pound, the sluices (which help control the river levels) are managed so as to prevent the city flooding. We may, according to the lock keeper, be here a week or more. Once again, all my pre planning has amounted to nothing. When will I understand the weather is not in my control, neither are other unforeseeable blockages that hinder our journey. All plans have to be held lightly! There are worse places to be stranded! Indeed, yesterday, we discovered both Aldi and Waitrose within a doable walk. Waitrose even had a cafe, with free wifi and complimentary newspapers, so R was happy. Even more useful, toilets! It’s all well and good to think, how lovely a week in Oxford – a mini break without the expensive hotel! However, as I write this, I can hear the rain streaming down, so when we venture out, the footpaths will be muddy with deep puddles and, in some places, almost impassable. Our walk yesterday showed evidence of flooded playgrounds and parks. The most pressing challenge will be conserving water, enough to wash ourselves, keep the dishes clean and the toilet flushing! We can carry fresh water to the boat for drinking – that will represent a workout! I’ve also located, a thirty minute walk away, a heated lido, so that will give us a hot shower, as well as more exercise! There’s a laundrette close by which thankfully takes a creditvcard so we don’t have to collect our pound coins together – that used to be such a palava, making sure we had enough change to both wash and dry the laundry. Our only other concern will be if the waste tank fills to capacity. Hence the joy of a relatively close Waitrose! Heating is not a problem as we have plenty of coal and wood aboard, although the temperature is still relatively mild so we have only had to use the stove once this week. Our gas status is unknown but with the engine running, I can at least use an electric travel kettle. Perhaps I should store up some pot noodles!
It was ironic really. We left the boat safely moored in reasonable weather last Wednesday (having fortuitously met our neighbour, who happily agreed to keep an eye on the boat for us and check our mooring pins) and went to the Midlands for a get together with both the Canal Ministeries team and then the Boaters Christian Fellowship. The BCF had a speaker whose chosen topic was based around the storms in our lives. As we listened to him, so we heard the torrential rain outside, which continued incessantly over the weekend. Returning to the boat on Monday, we were grateful to have had the reassurance of a kindly boater keeping an eye on Naomhog. With the speed of the flow of the water, coupled with the continuing rain, it was obvious the red boards would soon be in evidence and we would be going nowhere!
Yesterday, we were thankful for a brief respite in the weather, which enabled us to go and buy plenty of fresh provisions and return to the boat, gratefully dry! We then went exploring our local vicinity, enjoying revisiting the Jericho area of Oxford, where our daughter had lived in her early twenties. It is now predominantly a row of eating establishments with the occasional hair dresser and charity shop. Nestled in its midst is a small bespoke Picture House cinema, with ‘silver screenings’ Tuesday to Thursday, before 5pm, including complimentary coffee. No surprise where we will be later today, maybe a welcome shelter from the rain! We also walked along the canal path, looking for suitable moorings. Next week, assuming we have a window of opportunity to move, we need to decide whether to leave the Thames and make our way to London on the canal system or to take our chances with the weather and hope it dries up sufficiently for us to return to London via the river. Going the long way home, via the canal to the Midlands and back, will take 70 hours with many manual, stiff and heavy locks to work ourselves. The Thames locks are automated,often manned, and the journey time is nearer to 30 hours (even quicker going with the current). We still have, in the back of our minds, the memory of losing power on the Thames last year and although we hope we have fixed the problem, it’s a little unnerving to venture forth, especially if the flow of the river increases with more wet weather. Reminds me of the song ‘will your anchor hold strong in the storms of life’. At least I think those are the lyrics and even if they are not, the sentiment holds true! As any of my children will testify, I have an incredible knack of making up my own lyrics, seemingly incapable of memorising the correct ones!
1400
A banging on the boat heralded the arrival of a warden informing us our towpath is now blocked by a locked gate, as flooding is expected. I hope we will still be able to locate our mooring pins. It may be wiser to tie ourselves to a tree trunk! Unsurprisingly, the river is even higher today than yesterday as it takes a couple of days for the collected water to run off through the river. We decided to make use of the cinema, enjoying both the comfy padded seats and a surprisingly good cup of coffee. I thought the film we saw, ‘The Critic’, contrary to a review I read, was intriguing. Not much action, but thought provoking, showing the lengths people will go to to protect their own interests.
And now for a ps:
NarrowboatTLC 