Bablock Hythe

We were hoping to fill with water before going onto the Thames but the only water point between us and Isis lock is at Collage Cruisers and they had a row of boats returned and were busy cleaning so we carried on and down onto the Mill Stream at Isis lock, we had to wait while a boat came up. If you pull onto the lock moorings to wait there isn’t room for the upcoming boat to exit the lock, so you have to hang around across the winding hole.
I would think it quite difficult for a full length boat to turn and cross the mill stream as the floating pontoon below the lock is right where you need to swing your stern. As we made our way to the Thames we passed the restored old railway swing

bridge, thankfully permanently open.Once onto the Thames it’s self it was hard right and upstream. The river was very quiet and we only met 4 Narrowboats and one cruiser all day. Not far upstream from Sheepwash junction we encounter our first sunken boat or at least the yellow buoys attached to the fully submerged hull. The cattle were stampeding across the common for a drink in the river. We were soon at Godstow lock where I expected to part with money for our licence, but the lock was on self service. No winding on this lock. just a few little buttons to press. I spotted this flood marker on the side of the lock, the water level at the moment is quite low but the mark is only a few inches above it.

Maybe there would be a keeper at the next lock wanting money from me? but no it was also self service. However I did linger in the lock to visit the weed hatch, the boat had felt sluggish on the river and I found about a meter of old rope round the prop.
We stopped for water just below Eynsham Lock, I found a tap on the service block and our hose was just long enough to reach. While taking water a Narrowboat came down with 2 ladies working the lock, it turned out one was the lock keeper and the other a volunteer assistant.She enquired whether we were coming up and pointed out the official waterpoint was at the other end of the lock, she was also quite happy to relive me of £80 for our weeks stay on the river.
We were to see a few sunken boats on the river , this was one of them. More to follow.

We had the river virtually to ourselves and made our way up to Bablock Hythe to moor for the night. Since we have been here we have been buzzed by a drone and had a pair of swimmers go by.

 

 

Today’s  Journey

10½ miles with 5 locks in 4¾