Dead voles

Moored near somerton deep lock (all 12 feet of it) in very agricultural countryside. Both the cats went for an early morning forage and each returned with common field voles,who were obviously used to a cat-free environment, but no more. The fluffy white clouds are still around but totally lacking formation unless I can perfect one of these photography editing programmes? But what's the point? Let nature take its' course. If the truth be told I have not felt 100% over the past few days. Whilst fits have been in very short supply I have felt able to fall asleep at the drop of a hat and I can confirm these new anti-fit pills do play tricks on my blood sugar levels, much like the previous ones. Is it unknown for diabetics to have brain tumours? And if so why have no studies been done on the interaction of drugs and insulin? Does guinea pig spring to mind? This morning is warm and sunny so once we have summoned up the courage we'll tackle these formidable locks. One advantage of canals over Thames is the necessity for me to operate the locks. As most are very old, badly maintained and of variable mechanism it gives me a regular physical and mental challenge to confirm my usefulness, which is rewarding. The facilities at Lower Hayford proved a non-event as they were heavily oversubscribed. There was absolutely no chance of using them with mooring spaces lacking and congestion preventing any chance of waiting. We will make our water supply and cassette capacity last until Banbury, still many hours away. Watch out for gasping, cross-legged boaters. From the photo you will get the appeal of the Austin A35 van. Whilst not as pristine mine was a real girl-puller, or did I just underestimate my boyish charms? Either way it was great fun and could tell some stories.

We are finally re-united with our sausages, or at least we will be when Dean and Sarah re-open after lunch. Guess what's for dinner tonight? Our dire water situation forced us to move on, finally making Banbury in time for our sausage tea, and very good it was too. Having replenished water supplies and got rid of waste products (in every sense of the word) we carried on to our current mooring near Hardwick lock in the middle of nowhere, although the M40 and a main railway line are both nearby. The River Cherwell remains close which again questions the need for both it and the Oxford canal. Why not use one or the other and save resources? Don't tell the Government or they'll build over one of them.  The Oxford canal locks are the hardest I have ever encountered, needing Lynne's assistance on more than one occasion. As a consequence I am knackered. Overall today has been better for both Lynne and I. The aches and pains from Lynne's insect bite/swelling and my bullet wound made for some sharper than normal exchanges yesterday but today has proved more serene, thankfully.