A visit to the farm shop before going down the River Cherwell

Kirtlington to Kidlington, Oxford Canal, 5.25 miles 3 locks

We pulled the pins this morning on one of my most favourite of moorings by the huge quarry at Kirtlington….

This place has a mystical feel about it.  The last time we were here was was earlier in the year, when the family visited and we stayed a couple of days.  In the quarry itself there are fossils to be found and there is plenty of information about the old cement works that used to be here, plus it is a Nature Reserve.  Cherwell District Council now have control over the site and surrounding areas, and give boaters the opportunity to moor for 24 hours in this delightful spot. 

Shortly after leaving our overnight mooring we reached the farm shop.  The farm shop (nice article last month) is in fact aboard NB Pan, (So aptly named as Jane is forever stirring one making this and that) and I bought a few bits and bobs, and a few Christmas presents as well.  I ventured into the kitchen to find Jane hard at work making a beetroot chutney.  “I picked them this morning” says she stirring the huge pan full of the most delicious smell.. “I will let it bubble away for a few hours then taste it and see if it needs anything added”….

She will then bottle it all, store it for a good three months and then put it on sale for a price of just over £2 a bottle.  There you go Mark ‘A’ a photo for you as promised.  Onward then to the Cherwell, and yes the river was up a bit, in the amber as we dropped down Bakers Lock and joined the slow running river.  I was surprised it was in the amber, it was a bit high but hardly running.. there are markers at the two locks each end of the river part of the Oxford Canal, green means levels are normal and continue.. amber means it is passable but with care, and red means you cannot navigate the river, it is too dangerous.. Oh this bit of river is lovely though….

And out through Shipton Weir Lock.. two boats at a time through this one..

Before we arrived at Thrupp British Waterways Services, we passed Shipton railway bridge, well the one bridge in the foreground is in use and all that is left of another railway bridge just the other side of it in the picture.  There are uprights each side of the canal, no bridge span anymore.. 

It was at this bridge on Christmas Eve in 1874 that a train derailed right on top of the bridge and nine of the carriages fell into the canal which was frozen at the time.  This killed 34 people.  I always find it quite eerie passing this spot, and imagine how it must have been all those years ago with the train in the canal and the panic of all the people in the frozen water..

This is a book swap, at the services at Thrupp..

while the water is filling we can browse the shelves and swap books from our narrowboat that we have read for other reading!  A few pence in the box going to a childrens charity for the privilege.. lots of information too on the notice boards, and bus timetable.  A warden is needed here, there is an advert for the appointment of a warden to look after all the mooring as well as cutting the grass… says it would suit an active retired couple… is that discrimination these days to say ‘active’?.. Anyway a free mooring is available.. it is a nice mooring too!.. But I do like to travel, so not for us me thinks!

Lots of boats through the first part of Kidlington.. some quite tatty ones at that, but we have gone a little further tonight and have settled just before the next lock.. need a day off, might stay here tomorrow before going down Dukes Cut to join the magical Thames..