The Dawn Chorus.

 Saturday 2nd May 2026 in Banbury.

Forgot to mention that yesterday mornning, as we set off on MM. a sudden flash of jewel colours was a kingfisher, as it flew past at lightning speed.  

Last night we deliberately moored up in a very wooded area so that this morning M could arise at 4.40am and sit up on to the back deck to listen to the dawn chorus. The "Merlin" app on her phone identified more than a dozen different birds as they greeted the dawn.

After M's very early start - and even R getting up as the sun rose (yes, really!) , we actually set off before 7:00am heading north towards Banbury in brilliant sunshine.

Breakfast was eaten on the go as we wanted to get to Banbury today where M could acquire a "few bits". Most of the lift bridges on this section are left in the up position but not this one, which M had to operate, but it has had a new electric system fitted and is, in M's words, a "piece of cake".

This huge tree trunk had a "Green Man's" face carved into it wth a rather high chair carved next to it to  sit and contemplate nature.

In case we had forgotten which canal we were on, some helpful soul had put this random notice up beside the tow path.

We did stop off at Aynho Wharf for the mandatory visit to the Brew Box and to see lovely Sarah. Sadly, M was so engrossed with her bacon butty that she forgot to take any photos. 

 

Just north of Aynho is Aynho Weir Lock where the canal joins the Cherwell river. This lock is diamond shaped to maximise the amount of water going into the canal each time the lock is operated. 

Finally we arrived in Banbury and moored up in the centre so that R could wander off to Waitrose with a shopping list. Shortly after, the forecasted rain arrived. The moorings in Banbury are lovely but it proved to be a bit noisy late into Saturday night now that all the new venues have opened on the east side opposite Castle Quays. The carousing and shouting continued until the early hours. So a bit of an unsettled night for M, although R slept right through!(nothing new there, said M!)

 Today: 13 miles, 8 locks and 5.9 hours 

Trip:  26 miles, 17 locks and 13.9 hours.