We managed to leave at around 10.30am and escaped paying the four pound, and made our way on the return journey back to Oxford. This time we were going with the flow of the Thames and it made things easier on the engine. It did make things difficult on all those turns as the flow tries to push you into the bank. You also have to remember not to turn in too early as the sandbanks will ground you, all good fun!!!
We took our time through the first two locks and Thomas was getting a lesson by the lockkeepers on how open the paddles on a fast flowing river. 
We then got to Tadpole bridge and we saw loads of swans, hundreds in fact, along the way.
At one lock we saw four ducklings taking there first flight as they had to jump in from about eight feet. 
We made it back to Newbridge as we knew we had a free mooring here in between the bushes again.
Thomas and Del then collected insects and took some photos in the warm evening air, until dinner was ready.
We then got to Tadpole bridge and we saw loads of swans, hundreds in fact, along the way. At one lock we saw four ducklings taking there first flight as they had to jump in from about eight feet. We made it back to Newbridge as we knew we had a free mooring here in between the bushes again. Thomas and Del then collected insects and took some photos in the warm evening air, until dinner was ready. 
The canal then twisted and turned it's way to Tadpole Bridge. 
Still twisting and turning we got to Radcot which was very busy with boats going in the water from a field with the use of a crane. 
We carried on through Grafton and Buscot lock still twisting and turning up to St John's. 
Here is the famous statue of Father Thames and the lock was a bit like a model village. 
We then got to Lechlade and winded at the Round house which is the end of navigation on the Thames. It was a bit tricky with the current and the sandbanks, but we managed it. 
We came back to a nice mooring with a short walk into town. 
It's a lovely place where all the buildings are built out of Cotswold stone. 
We picked up some Fish and Chips and walked them back to Derwent6 and sat in the sunshine with them. 
It was a lovely evening with the church spire all lit up in the clear moonlight. 
Oh we had some good news today.....Len's (Del's dad) kidney has started to function which should aid his recovery....
Paul helped us through the first lock and we soon got to the first lift bridge and Drinkwater. 
We then took the turn into Duke's Cut where Thomas worked the paddles to get us through.
It was then onto the big Thames and we were soon cruising through glorious meadows. 
After a hour we got to the first lock at Swinford. 
We then stopped for diesel at a boatyard which is a bit of a squeeze for Derwent6 but easier than some of them on the Thames. At self declaration we were happy. 
The sun was shining and it was lovely and warm as we cruised for the next few hours up to Newbridge. 
We found a nice mooring in between the bushes and in a field full of nice seasoned wood. 
So it was rude not to have some. Thomas helped chopping it up and getting it on board Derwent6, so we are now ready for the next cold snap, (if we have one). We then walked up to Newbridge and did some geocaching while checking out the two pubs here, but we couldn't workout the clues to find the treasure, it was too late in the day. We went to bed early as we wanted to see the Grand Prix qualifying which meant an early start in the morning.
We soon reached Thrupp after a couple of locks and decided to top up with water and do a manual pumpout ready for the Thames. 
While we were doing that Maffi off n.b. Milly M ( 
It was then on another couple of miles where we bumped into Paul and Lynne on n.b. Piston Broke.( 
We were quite hungry after not eating much all day so we had some lunch. Afterwards Thomas fancied some Geocaching and Del and Thomas did the half a mile walk which took them to the local Sainsbury's. They found it in the carpark... Thomas brought a game in the Supermarket and when we got back we played it for the rest of the evening...
Then we got on the underground to London Bridge and arrived at Guy's Hospital at midday.
When we went to reception we found out that the visiting hours were at 2.00pm but we were allowed in early. It was just great to see Len as he just looked so good. You could see a improvement already from the time he left us on Monday on Derwent6. His kidney had been a nine years wait and after having trips to the hospital for dialysis three times a week this will be a life changing experience. 
Soon loads of friends and family turned up and we went and had a McDonald's to make some room around the bed! We all had some good quality time with him and the family before we said our goodbyes.
On the way back we missed our connection at Oxford and had to wait a hour before the mile walk back in the dark to Derwent6. We got back at 9.30pm but we all felt a lot better after the experience. We are all feeling relief and joy tonight, but our thoughts are also with the family who are grieving the loss of a loved one who gave the greatest gift of life to our Dad.
We had to go through Pigeon's lock and then we were lucky enough to get a mooring in between two boats in very shallow water.
It was then playing the waiting game and waiting for the phone call to see if we could go in to the hospital. It was a lovely day again and Del and Thomas went wood hunting and found the station.
We raced paper boats, paper aeroplanes and made a fishing rod from a stick and string.
We got a call at 6.30pm saying he could be going into theatre so it was going to be one of those not much sleep nights.
We soon got to the Somerton Lock at twelve foot deep, and it was funny to see the chickens running around which were so friendly. We were able to pick them up and take a few photos... 
After getting through this lock we then saw our first ducklings of the year.......
We then moored up at Lower Heyford where we were losing two of the crew. 
Len and Terry were going back from the Station which is right along side the canal. After some lunch we said our goodbyes at the station..
We then carried on till we got to a nice mooring along side the Cherwell river. 
We had some dinner and then chilled for the rest of the day.....