We have always purchased a gold licence, writes Stewart Downs.
But as we have moored on the Thames for the last 7/8 years we decided last year it was no longer worth the money with state of the canal system.
We recently decided to a risk a three months visitor license on CaRT waters starting 1st May. The Kennet & Avon is still closed, so we were only left with the Oxford or Grand Union .
We decided on the Oxford but unfortunately we did not get very far. As we approached Kidlington Green Lock we noticed the crew of the boat in the lock standing around. We also noticed several CaRT employees and volunteers painting the beams and cutting vegetation back.
As we pulled up onto the lock mooring, we noticed that the bottom gate was hanging off. A friendly CaRT reactive team employee came and gave us the bad news. The collar was broken and the lock was out of action.
Had we arrived a little earlier we could have been the boat stuck in the lock for a night so a lucky escape in that respect.
Let's hope they can fix it soon as the nearest winding hole is some distance behind us!
It does not bode well for our trip this year!