Aynho to Claydon bottom lock, 13.5 miles, 12 locks, 1 lift bridge, 7 hours (Monday)

The forecast was for heavy rain all day, so we had a bit of a lie in.  Decided we would move at least a short distance, so we were thinking Kings Sutton.  Got all dressed up in our wet weather gear, but by the first lock the sun was trying to come out and the rain had stopped.  We got to Kings Sutton and the weather was still good so we decided to press on to Banbury.  We did a splash and dash at Banbury and then tried to moor, there were unfortunately no spaces, so we pressed on.  On our original plan we had intended to stop at Chropredy but we knew there was a music festival on there starting this Thursday Alice Cooper is performing if any one has a burning desire to see him!!

So we expected to have to go beyond Chropredy.  Just as well we didn't want to moor, there must have been 3 miles of solid boats moored up.  Just as we got through Chropredy lock the heavens opened - the earlier forecast downpour had arrived.  We pressed on through the next 3 locks, looking like drowned rats, I did attempt a Gene Kelly Singing In The Rain moment but not quite the same on a lock gate as a lamp post still kept Rod amused.

We finally arrived at Claydon bottom lock and luckily there were a couple of spaces, as we pulled up the two guys on the boat in front offered to help us moor, which was really kind of them given it was still chucking it down, I very politely declined , no point in two more people getting soaked.

This is the picture of the mooring this morning, obviously looks much nicer in the sun.

We needed to get the van, so Rod got up at 6:00 to go and get it from Kings Sutton, as he is working an extra day this week.  On the way he decided to take up bi-Athlon by falling in the canal on his bike just past Banbury.  He has decided its not the sport for him and that he will stick to cycling.

He and the bike are both ok, although his clothes and the bike were very muddy.  So now both Rod and George have fallen in the canal, after seeing the state of Rods clothes I certainly do not want to join their club :-)