An evening with cider and pigs

 It's raining today but yesterday was warm and sunny as we cruised out of Banbury, heading south.

This part of the Oxford canal where all the little lift bridges seem to multiply, to test the unwary or unskilled helmsman and where the bottom gates of the locks change from two gates to one, negating the need for death defying leaps across the lock to close the far gate.

The first lock you meet is Grants lock where the overspill weir runs right beneath the floor of the lock cottage.  Since we were last here a fire has sadly gutted the cottage which now stands I suppose as a ruin, although a not unattractive one.

It would be a good spot for an overnight stop were it not for the incessant roar of traffic on the M40 not far away.  And so on through Kings Sutton lock and to our planned destination, the appropriately named Pig Place, just before you get to Nell Bridge lock. Over the years the Pig Place has developed into a very attractive, if decidedly quirky stopping place.  These days clusters of comfortable old leather sofas grace the bank overlooking the canal,

each has its own barbecue/fire pit, and if it rains you can always head for the large hut which too has comfy chairs and tables and the by now familiar somewhat bohemian decor.  It's one way to use up old front doors I suppose.

There is something of a sense of humour about the place as you can see

Up next to the little shop where you can by meat and drink to take away, there now stands outdoor " Trough cafe" a typical burger van thingy such as you might find at a festival.  There you can buy and eat as much freshly cooked cholesterol as you like, but it's all good wholesome stuff made from real meat.  There are tables under umbrellas for you to nosh your burgers or doorstop sausage and bacon sandwiches.  Then to quench your thirst there's the little Trotters Bar where we bought rather too much very tasty draught cider in the afternoon and evening.

So we sat on a sofa supping cider and watching the Wimbledon men's final while I cast my eye over Herbie's starboard side which I hadn't looked at properly since last year as in the marina we can only get at the port side.  Herbie's once smart paintwork is now looking very tired and I'm itching to get at it.  The good news is that the big dark grey panels, although dull are very sound except for  a couple of spots around the window frames.  Excuse my knee doing a photo bomb.

With a good clean and rub down I reckon they'll take a fresh top coat really well.  I must do that soon.  Just looking for a few days of the right weather when we're back at the marina.  Other bits like the handrails, the cabin roof and the fore and aft deck are going to need some serious prep before they see a paintbrush. I reckon that getting some gloss back on the cabin sides will spur me on to tackling the more difficult and less rewarding work.

And lastly of course we can't leave the Pig Place without seeing the rare breed pigs (who I fear are destined in one form or another to stock the shop's freezer and the Trough van.)  Not really a place for vegans I would think, but the pigs are lovely.

These are Oxford Sandy and Blacks, a breed rescued from virtual extinction in the late 20th century.

and the more familiar Saddlebacks like this one enjoying a leisurely mud bath.

or these approaching me for a friendly scratch on the back.

The Pig Place has free moorings for stop and shop /eat, or you can pay for an overnight stay (£12) and enjoy the sofas, the bar, have a barbecue or sit by the fire pit.  We don't often pay for an overnight mooring but we were happy to here.  If you can face more cholesterol, the Trough will do you as big a breakfast as you can manage. We amazed ourselves by not succumbing.