Oxford outskirts and approaches to the end of the canal

I was really looking forward to arriving in Oxford by canal - I imagined it to be similar to the approach on the Thames (not done since we had a little cruiser some 20+ years ago).
Unfotunately, once passed Kidlington, it all gets rather scruffy with row after row of moored boats - some legal and some making camp on the 24 hour moorings complete with bird tables etc. We tried to get in on the 24 hours on the way back; looking forward to a special treat at The Anchor - the same culprits were still moored there plus one additional boat with it's bum almost blocking the bridge 'ole. These are not winter moorings.

The actual moorings at the end are perfectly pretty and cat safe (essential for Beefur boat and us); but horrendously noisy

 This bell tower is a major noise culprit

 There are more moorings down the arm on the left; beyond the long terms but a bit too close to the road for boats with puddy cats.

 It's easy to swap from canal to river here and the dogs and I had a pretty short walk after mooring

 This is the Thames in all it's reflective glory

All very nice, but back in arrivals/departures.......

......you are trundling under by-passes/motorways without, to me somehow, the grandeur of the BCN

 These lift bridges are a law unto themselves - they are the normal DIY things but are locked on the towpath side

 When you've worked out how to open them you have to hurl yourself across the beams or fling them into the air and hold them up-it's easy when you've worked it out!

All this is lovely

 with fun on the allotments

 Sue raises this lift bridge, looking very cool, and showing how it should be done

 Beefur in the lock and MR waiting behind - Sue is still deheading her geraniums at this point!

.