Moored up close to one of my No2's old friends from Banbury. Morrisons is close enough to do the daily shopping from here.

The hospital is just over half a mile from where we are moored so about a 20 minute walk, checked it out so as not to be hit with any surprises on Wednesday.
For some reason or other (something to do with money laundering) my bank wanted confirmation that I am who I claim to be. They wanted me to get a solicitor (or equivalent) to verify my birth certificate. I went in to the town hall to ask if there was a suitable solicitor in town and was told by the town clerk that he was able to do this for me, free of charge. An offer I could not refuse.

My No2's sister visited today for a few hours. They spent the time wandering around Banbury visiting every charity shop they could find (of which there are 15) and when they got back enthusiastically showed me their trophies.

I was a little worried but since I had already experienced this before with my other eye, and survived, I decided that this time I would be less of a baby and more of a 'little soldier'. Walked up to the hospital with my No. 2 in time for the op, which went really smoothly and painlessly.
Couldn't wait to set off.

Refusing to be held back by adversity I was deteremined to make progress. Cruised along to Cropredy during the course of the day. My eye held up well and I could almost see everything. Both lenses have been set so as to be nearly driving quality but I asked that I would still have to wear spectacles as I am so used to having them in front of me protecting my eyes that I just know if I haven't got any on I will get grinding sparks and the like in my eyes.
Moored up at Cropredy for the night.

Well it has not changed a bit since we were last here a couple of weeks ago.

Allways good to make use of the facilities when they are available, especially when heading out into the wilderness of the South Oxford top pound.

As far as it is possible to get from the hubbub and noise of daily live in such a densly populated country as England. We will spend a few days here just unwinding.

Topped up with water, always a good idea when the opportinity arises.

A good stop of point in preparation to going down the Napton flight.

Took my No2's boat down first. Just for a change we had a meal at The Folly pub right next to the bottom lock after getting rid of some rubbish at the facilities. Left her at the bottom of the flight and went back to the top for the night.

Now it is the turn of Forty Two. My No2 arrived just after ten and we worked or way down the flight in a leisurely manner and made good use of the facilities before mooring up just around the corner from the lock.

Nice mooring spot here, a bit close to the bend and the bridge hole but it does persuade boaters to slow right down when passing.

Caught the bus to Southam, it stops close enough to Tesco that shopping is not too onerous, but don't get too much heavy stuff.'

Treated ourselves to fish and chips from the chippy. It's too far to carry the meal back to the boat but there are sheltered seats close to the chippy so we sit there and eat while watching the world got by.
This time there were some workmen refurbishing the pub near to the chippy and they had let their spaniel roam about on the grass outside. The local rooks had developed a way of teasing it. As soon as the dog settled down one of the rooks would fly over making it's shadow pass the dogs nose. As soon as the dog saw the shadow pass by it tried catching it and chased the shadow until it dissappeared. You could almost hear the rooks laughing.

Convenient for shopping in Rugby and for Richard to visit, which he did.