The Jolly Boatman

Having undertaken the bulk of the journey to Oxford yesterday, and having promised our guests arrival at Oxford by midday, we still had time for a reasonably leisurely start .  So a full English breakfast was put on before departure about 8:20.   Arriving a few minutes later at the automated lock we noticed that the bottom gate paddles were partially raised, so the lock was empty.  Expecting to just press the button to open the gates were disappointed.   Nothing happened.   Understanding that the system is automatic and well interlocked to prevent mishap we tried lowering the paddles, but still nothing.   After a lot of deep thought and reviewing the instructions several times it became clear that the gates would expect to be opened after the lock was emptied, so the paddles would be up.  We tried this, and once the system had gone through its 5 minute cycle and the paddles were fully up, the gates did indeed open.  Then a pump-out - best one (best pumping system and duration) for ages.   Sanford Lock, the deepest on the river, is a bottom fill and is relatively gentle.  After Iffley Lock there were masses of rowers to avoid, but once clear of these we had a clear run to Osney Lock and the moorings above where we could connect our guests with the railway station.    Godstow Lock was self service and Kings Lock the last we would use on the Thames, but waiting for a boat to descend at the later meant that the lock-keeper was back from lunch to look after us.    Then we joined the Oxford Canal and much slower passage due to the masses of mored boats and shallowness of the water.  Entering Roundham Lock the boat ground to a halt, stuck.  Opening a top paddle flushed it out again and employing more kinetic energy rode the boat over whatever it had grounded on sufficiently to get the gate closed.   Finally we saw a decent mooring outside the Jolly Boatman and tied up there.  Good DTV from Oxford and a free WiFi connection from the pub.