Last weekend we needed to get Monkey some new shoes in Banbury and we hadn’t had the opportunity to get outside. So I promised him that once we’d sorted his shoes out we would go for a quick stroll by the Oxford canal.
The Oxford Canal runs through Banbury and it’s something I sadly, take for granted and don’t explore enough. Really need to change that and make more of an effort to go for canal walks this year.
It had to be a quick stroll by the Oxford Canal as we needed to get back home, but Monkey was happy enough walking up and down the paved tow path by the shopping centre. All of the canal boats were moored up so there was no action, but that didn’t seem to bother him at all.
Monkey was happy having races – he’d run up and down the stairs by the car park with Daddy P and see if he could beat me walking along the two path. Sometimes he is really easily pleased. Mummy I’m coming to get you!!
It just goes to show that kids can be amused with simple things. He loved going across the little bridge and back round again.
Walking along, chatting away to Daddy P, just getting a bit of fresh air.
Hiding from Mummy.
Going for a quick stroll by the Oxford Canal on a Sunday afternoon. We will have to do it again soon.
Kids are happy with very little but your time and energy and a little space and you have all those magic ingredients here. I love the photo of him running to you, that expression shares so much of the joy he is feeling. A lovely post and I hope you will get to explore more of the canal this year. Thank you for sharing with me on Country Kids.
I forget sometimes that you don’t really need to ‘go somewhere’ to have outdoors fun
We love exploring the canals too-always so much to see and explore.
The great thing about your neck of the woods isn’t it
A canal lover here too! I love just watching the narrowboats and nosing in dreaming of a life on the water – would have to have a serious de clutter first though! So interesting seeing the city and country canals 🙂
I think my water fear would really kick in if I went on a boat but I like watching them.
I spent many happy days on the canal as a kid, they are beautiful aren’t they especially when they run through the centre of a city, super magical even if nothing is happening. Looks like monkey had lots of fun anyway 🙂 #countrykids
When we were kids we spent a lot of time walking along the Basingstoke canal – peaceful aren’t they.
I keep on meaning to walk more of the Oxford Canal too. There is a good walk from Thrupp (near Kidlington) that we walked a few years ago and I’ve been meaning to go back ever since. Maybe this year! #countrykids
Great pub at Thrupp too!
Yes, used to take customers there
Yes, I know it well, I used to work in Kidlington so have walked to Thrupp many a time over the years pre-Monkey.
My girls love the simple things too. Canals are always lots of fun
Yes, we need to walk along more of them
As you say, it is sometimes the simple walks that are so much fun: no need to plan, just enjoy for the sake of being outside, soaking up the fresh air and having a good time in eachother’s company.
Yes, it’s too easy to forget at times.
We went to the canals in London before Xmas which I hadn’t even know existed!
I’ve heard of them but not walked around them. I love the Birmingham ones
Oh I do love canals, especially locks! I could spend the whole day just watching the boats 😉 Looks like your little boy loved it too!
Yes he does.
It really is the simple things with kids isn’t it? We went to a railway museum last week but my Monkey and his friend were more interested in running up and down ramps! Lovely photos 🙂 xx
Lovely photos and Monkey looks like he is having a wonderful time. I love canal walks – there is always so much to see 🙂
Oxford is somewhere I really want to visit properly, I’ve been once for shopping but would like to see the city properly! x
That bridge looks like a really fun place to run around so I get Monkey =)
Love the boats there. Its my dream to ride one & live on one. I live in a country where there are always storms and floods and I was thinking living in a boat house is the only way to go to survive. I still do.
#countrykids
You are right, it can be the simple things that create the most fun. It looks lovely there to explore and his face says he was loving it!
It sounds like a great place for a walk – it is easy to think that you need to go somewhere special for a good time, however, kids are usually happy to be out and about anywhere aren’t they!
Gorgeous the utter joy in his face enjoying just running and being outdoors with you by the canals!
He has his moments but they are forgotten when you see ‘that’ face.
Lovely Canal! Is that close to you? Great he walked so much! Mine is much more into the wining nowadays instead of walking 🙂
Not too far, we have lots of canals in this area really. He will walk miles thankfully.