Summer my Arse!

Ahoy everyone! Well we’re now 5 days into our mini voyage and amazingly have reached Somerton.

32 miles from Napton and 27 locks later, not bad considering the appalling weather, summed up well I thing by our post title!
I’m a great advocate of global warming but I’m beginning to believe the so-called experts have got it the wrong way around. I seem to remember the treat of bone dry summers, crop failures and people falling like flies from heat exhaustion. All we can say is we’re glad we live on a boat.
Having got all that out of the way it’s just fantastic to be out once again on the system. The South Oxford Canal still remains one of our favourites, it’s just unfortunate that this year we haven’t got time to go any further South. Today we’re moored up for the day in heavy rain just short of Somerton Deep Lock and will make the turn for home tomorrow. Mind you with all the rain forecast over the coming days it’s probably just as well we’re not proceeding any further. When we were here last year in August the River Cherwell, which forms part of the canal further down, was close to flood and the Thames was on the red.
The canal is surprisingly busy for this time of year we think, considering the school holidays are not yet upon us. Another surprise considering the recent rainfall is that the canal appears to be at least 6 to 8 inches below it’s normal level which can quite clearly be seen by the water mark along the Armco. I also notice that when moored waiting for the locks our gunwalls seem to be below the metal which has resulted in some nasty scratches.
We’ve noticed on our journey a marked increase in the Moorhen population with birds and there young suddenly appearing out of the undergrowth, Dee feeding them furiously as we go. I can't think of any reason for the increase in numbers but we still think they make the best mothers around. Unlike last year, due to a poor Vole population, Barn Owls seem to be doing better. Whilst moored up at Cropready on Monday we were treated to some excellent views of one hunting in the field opposite.
We've also noticed with interest that British Waterways still seem to be cutting back on tow path maintenance as we have passed some seriously overgrown moorings on our short trip. One mooring just after Aynho Weir Lock where we moored for a couple of days last year had a least 6ft of growth! Another bone of contention for us and indeed all legitimate boaters is the several unlicensed boats we’ve also passed on our route, one of which we clearly remember from last year. We're glad Kevin's not with us from NBEnigma as he would be furiously noting all the offenders and phoning in to BW!! :)
Anyway guys that’s our news for now and so tomorrow we begin our return trip. Oh! and thanks to the guys who have posted on our notice board and emailed, it’s good to here from you all. K&D

Were Back!!!

Ahoy family & friends, thanks for all the emails asking how we are and where we are?

The fact is we haven't been anywhere! Well, not on the canals and rivers anyway. As you will probably know this year is our year off the system, due to certain commitments and my writing of Johhny Monarch's memoirs, he knows who he is!! We're not even spending our annual month in Dubai with Davey boy to add to our utter frustration!
For Dee, International Jet setter that she is, work is a terrible bind, (he says tongue in cheek) Portugal and a Cruise Liner to name but two distractions for her. We did to be honest get to spend an excellent weekend in France recently enjoying some superb weather, home cooked food and excellent French wines.
Having said that the summer so far hasn't been much to write about, although today is probably the hottest day so far with the current temperature a balmy 24C.

I must say Hi also to Carl and Carla who we met on the Llangollen Canal last year and according to your email guys you had an excellent holiday this year too, completing the Four Counties, anti-clockwise. Sounds like you've also mastered a few difficult locks as well.
Now to our good news....
We've managed to scrape together 10 days on the system from this coming Saturday. WooHoo. The plan is to venture as far south down the Oxford Canal as a leisurely cruise will allow. So naturally I'm spending the best part of this week preparing Quidditch for her departure.

So that's our quick update guys, keep tuned in for our updates whilst were out cruising. Oh and P.S. we look forward to seeing Johhny & Pat tomorrow for Pat's big 70. Pictures to follow :)