Started off at 6.45 a.m., making my coffee as the lock filled. On arrival at Pigeon Lock I waited while motor Boscotte collect the butty Gosport from the lock. We then moored for 30 minutes at Heywood Wharf B206 for water, just squeezing in between the bridge and a fibreglass asleep on the water moorings, and had a look at the base shop, but it was very minimal in provision. As we arrived at the moorings we passed the local day boat on its way out bouncing from side to side down the line of moored boats. I weaved my 50ft around their 20ft!!

After mooring for lunch from 1.00 till 1.40 by B 193, we stopped briefly at B190 for 5 minutes to allow Angela to nip over the bridge and collect milk and bread from Ayno Wharf Shop. We then shared Ayno Wharf lock with another 50ft due to the diamond shape of the lock.

Banbury was not a great success. Lock wheeling I found the lock empty, i.e. set for us, with one gate open, so I opened the other to the dislike of the lock wheeler who appeared from above the lock. She then went and started to open the lift bridge ready while there was a child on it, till I shouted at her to stop. When Angela came in flustered by all this I lifted the paddles too fast and the boat hit the top gate hard!! David on the rear deck slept in his chair through all of this!

6.15 p.m. finally moored just below Borton Lock for the night, country at least even if very noisy with the motorway nearby. As I cooked supper I became aware of a strong continuous flow of water, looked up to see a private boat which had passed us was sitting in the lock with all four paddles up. So a quick interruption to cooking to warn them before they drained the canal!

Miles 22 Locks 12 Time 10.25 hours.