So today I was towing our new van back to storage, a 70 mile journey, outside temp about 16c with the oil temp sitting at about 110 to 114 max, so all ok. However for the first time ever, and I have towed with this car a number of times, I saw the water temp gauge move. 

 

On 2 occasions, when the oil temp was at about 114 i noticed the water temp climb from its usual rock steady 90 to about 95, then slowly reduce as the oil temp came down. I have never seen this before, even when previously towing with these oil temps. I am hoping that this is normal behaviour, and the coolant doing its job and absorbing the oil temp, and it is just that I have never noticed the water gauge move. Thoughts?

if there was a problem with the temperatures, the car's computer would be quick to tell you. Those temperatures aren't a worry, especially the coolant temperature.

 

IIRC the warning temperature for the oil is 125'c. Older oil usually runs a bit hotter, so if your oil has been in there for a while, that would answer the question as well.

 

I've never seen my oil temperature go above 115'c, even when I've ragged it around on the country lanes.