The M40 and a daft notice from C&RT.

Tuesday 18th September 2018 in Banbury.
The same view through the trees as last night, but on a very damp and overcast morning.

Several of the Heyford hire boats that we saw yesterday, passed us after we moored up, so we decided to make an early start this morning to get ahead of them. Unfortunately, it seems they all had the same idea, so we ended up queueing at the locks! It had become very windy overnight, which made steering interesting!
In the middle of nowhere, we saw this notice, clearly put there by some kind person in case we had forgotten where we were.

Somerton Deep lock, at 12ft, ties as the deepest narrow lock on the system. It is a long way down!

This is truly lovely countryside with the River Cherwell and the canal forming the boundary between Oxfordshire (to the west) and Northamptonshire (to the east).

To say that the M40 is a noisy intrusion would be a massive understatement, the incessant roar of the traffic blankets the canal for miles. We have the highest regard for the Guide Books written by Michael Pearson; he pithily describes it thus: "into this exquisite landscape, the M40 intrudes like a kick in the groin." Says it all.

Thankfully, the M40 eventually takes its din off in another direction and peace is restored.

The C&RT's latest "THRIFT" campaign, to conserve water, leads with a request to share locks with other boats; this was posted on a narrow lock beam! They also ask us to report leaking lock gates - we did find ONE lock, Somerton Deep lock, that was NOT leaking; almost every other lock, of the 200 we have done this year, were leaking to a greater or lesser extent. They also exhort us to "plan cruises to minimise use of locks" - not sure how to do that on a canal? One wonders if C&RT management have ever left their offices?

We made good time to Banbury, despite the queues at a couple of the locks. We will stay here tonight opposite the "Castle Quay" shopping centre.

Tooley's Historic Yard in the centre of Banbury is the oldest boatyard on the canals still working. It celebrates 230 years of continuous operation this year.

Tomorrow, we will head up to Cropredy Marina, where we will moor up MM for a while to go home - so please watch this space, we shall be back to continue on up to Aston Marina for the winter.
Today: 9 miles, 6 locks and 5.4 hours.
Trip: 325 miles, 207 locks and 216.6 hours.