Wednesday, May 11, 2011

Oliver's Big Catch

Scott said Oliver wanted to fish the canal, so we chugged up the Leicester Arm towards the Welford turn and stopped for the fishing.  The journey up was pleasant, the sun shone, and Oliver got the hang of the two way radios and continually gave the orders from the bow.

Waiting for a bite
Hook's stuck, let's hope Scott can remove it.

 All's ok - another successful catch.

A good day's fishing. Scott tried to hit bridge 11 on the way back but we managed to persuade him not to.  We must do it again Oliver.


Thursday, May 5, 2011

Aynho and Back

It's been some time since there was a new post, but hopefully things should start getting back to normal.

We recently chugged down to Aynho in tandem with daughter and family. They hired a Black Prince from Wigrams Marina and we travelled down from Crick marina to meet them at their pick-up point.  The plan was to travel southwards along the Oxford for 3 days and then turn around and head home.

First night stop was bridge 124 - we decided that a stroll to Priors Hardwick and have dinner in the Butcher's Arms. And what a plan, we discovered that the BA was not any old village pub but a village pub that over the years has become a first class restaurant. We could go on for some time on how the owner found us a table (a table for six that is) when they were obviously fully booked, personally ensured we were looked after throughout the night, etc, but we won't.  Suffice to say we recommend it, but be prepared to hear many a story about who has been there, not to mention the owner's invite to "the wedding": http://www.thebutchersarms.com/

Second night Cropredy and third Aynho.  Some pics to meet the family:

Jayne (daughter)

 Oliver (grandson)

Tash (resident figurehead

Captain Carl


Return journey stops were Banbury fourth night, Fenny Wharf and then Braunston.

The last day, Friday, we chugged up through Braunston tunnel to Norton Junction, stopped for a sloe gin (see pic) and said our farewells, we moved up the Leicester Arm back to Crick and Jayne, Carl, Tash & Oliver returned to Napton Junction for their last night.


   End of a great week