HS2 construction begun on the Oxford Canal

As we rounded a bend on the South Oxford Canal this morning we got a shock. An army of diggers, scraping off the surface of what was farmland. And it was right next to the canal.

We were last here three weeks ago, on our way to Oxford. Now work has actually started on a project which I believe is a waste of money and a despoliation of the countryside. I am very aware that canals had their objectors and, no doubt, railways (ordinary ones) too. But in the internet age what is the point of shaving a few minutes off a very small number of routes?

The amount of land required here is vast. This was near Bridge 127 a mile north of Wormleighton village.

Near Napton Top Lock we passed a boat with a large Welsh flag on the tiller and a bridge-brushing array of flowers on the top. How can the steerer see where he's going?

We tied up at the bottom of Napton Locks. Two Napton Narrowboats hire boats came past heading for the locks. The first hit our boat and ground its way all along the side, going on to do the same to the boat behind us. The canal here was straight and wide, so there was no need to be bashing us. The chap in the second boat hit stuck his head out of the side hatch and remonstrated with the steerer, suggesting he might slow down. The steerer's response? If I slow down I won't be able to steer!