After walking through Cropredy village with a full cassette (and no, I didn’t put a plastic bag around it), we leave Cropredy at nine o’clock. Dubbel Dutch left even earlier.
It’s warm, but also very windy. It’s difficult to get off the bank into locks. And because it is so busy I have to moor up at every lock. So every lock is a struggle.
And, as per usual, the canal is very low. People now get grounded even in the middle of the canal. But around one o’clock we moor up at Fenny Compton, right behind Dubbel Dutch.
Dubbel Dutch
Dubbel Dutch is a very Dutch boat. While having a drink with Martin and Annemarie I only can admire the inside of the boat. A lot of Delft Blue, and other things that make me feel a bit homesick. I just HAVE to find ways to put some (hidden) Dutch accents into WRT…
Supper at The Wharf if followed by supper at the Folly at Napton, the following day.
Again it is busy, and it takes us two hours, only to get through the first lock!
It’s very nice weather, and quite warm. Even a calf decides to go for a swim.
Other users of the Oxford Canal
But, as happened before, when cruising with the Dutch, in the end it starts raining heavily, and by the time we’re moored up I’m soaked, being the windlassie.
Going to meet some Dutch again?
Before supper Martin and Annemarie come for a drink to WRT. The bring small Dutch porcelain wooden shoes, a real Dutch card and Dutch butter cookies called Grachtenpandjes.
At the Folly the landlord entertains us (well, the kids, Izaak and Kristine) with a couple of card tricks.
Much later, after a look at the beautiful night sky, we call it a day.