The Oxford Canal

Lottie lay quietly while we packed for the boat. Has she learnt it slows us down when she bounces around getting in the way? Normally by now we would be cruising but the boat is still overwintered due to the cold. Lottie didn’t mind but enjoyed an invigorating walk along Fenny Tunnel where snow still clung to the sides of the cutting while clumps of violets proclaimed spring at the bottom of the slope. On the way back she saw an otter sunning itself on the towpath and had to give chase. The otter was in the water in a flash. Excitement over, she settled down on the dinette and soaked up the heat from the wood burner.

 

The Oxford canal was iced solid next morning, looking beautiful in the sunshine. The resident swans were mating in an ice locked pool early in the morning; I suppose it’s one way to keep warm. An hour later she was settling down on last year’s refurbished nest while he rooted about the ploughed field for food.

Two hire boats passed by smashing a narrow gash in the ice. I bet when they hired they didn’t think they would be breaking ice in April. Although the sun is out the wind is arctic, but Mister Man braved the cold to do maintenance jobs outside. Maybe we’ll start our cruise next week.