Fairport, Cropredy

Our friends Terry n Myra came to visit us on board and we all walked the canal and through the village. All still very busy and full of people. One food outlet was serving up Buffalo burgers and ice-cream from the farm at Napton. The two pubs were serving food from their gardens, no tables inside.

Narrowboats were mored 'nose to tail' for miles either side of the village. Broadmore lock had been under repair with the navigation closed for a morning. Not sure what CRT had achieved because we saw that the failed paddle had not been fixed! Consequently the queue of boats took a while to get through either way.

Radio Oxford broadcast the music from Cropredy during Saturday evening so we were able to get a flavour of the convention from the outside.

Meanwhile Great Britain were doing very well at the Rio Olympics having gained 10 gold, 13 silver and 7 bronze by Saturday. Apparently more expected later.

On Sunday we drove down to Banbury early to meet our friends once again. After a walk round Spiceball park we had a drink and parted company. On our way back the traffic was 'nose to tail' between Cropredy and Banbury leaving the show site. It is all quiet now as the village gets back to normal. Many boaters are also leaving and getting diesel from the marina.

Fairport, Cropredy

We had a walk round to the shop. Just so much happening on the first day.

 The campsite is in the field on the other side of the river Cherwell

The shop is well stocked up for the event

Many of the villagers were providing food and drink during the day

Never mind the depth, feel the width!

I have traveled down the Oxford canal from Cropredy to Banbury and back during July and August.  Due to many boats moored I was obliged to get too close to the offside vegetation as a moving boat came towards me.

Unfortunately a hard branch conspired to scratch the boats paintwork. There seems to be too much vegetation that desperately needs cutting back.  Not only causing damage to boat paint but blocking the view at corners and bridges.

What ever happened to the 'Veg Pledge' previously made by British Waterways and now presumably  the Navigation Charity 'Canal And River Trust'. 

Visitors at Banbury

 Rosie and Jim now have a place on board.

 Then John and Jean stopped for a chat.  And we admired each others 'new' boats!