06-29 The Anchor Inn Wisley on the River Wey

Monday 29th June:  Our son David joined us this morning in Staines and we set off mid morning down the river Thames through Penton Hook and Chertsey Locks.  Watered up below the later with a fine view of Chertsey bridge.

Then onwards and through Shepperton Lock after which we turned right up the channel to Thames Lock on the River Wey.  We arrived at lunch time and had to wait for the lock keeper until 2pm together with the crew of Northern Lights.  We were then locked up together passing two narrow boats in the bottom pound before we were able to enter the lock, ascend and pay our dues for a 21 day licence. 

We then made our way as far as Pyrford sharing the locks with Northern Lights even though it was a bit of a squeeze as they were 7 foot 6 inches wide.  Moored up just before the Anchor and went off for a well earned pint and a meal.  David was certainly a great asset on the wide locks

each of which we had to operate ourselves - a bit of a come down after the luxury of the Thames locks for the last month.

06-28 Lammas Park Staines on the River Thames

Sunday 28th June: Set off from Windsor under a grey sky and managed to get as far as Romney Lock before it started to rain. The weather was then fairly miserable for the rest of our cruise and particularly heavy once we arrived at old Windsor lock and similarly at Bel Weir lock just when we were least able to protect ourselves from the rain.  Arrived at Staines and although we went under the road bridge, the moorings were fairly full, so we turned back to moor at the park by Church Island.

Went with the dogs for a general explore of Staines as far as the Railway station to check out for Davids arrival tomorrow.

06-26 Deadwater Ait, Windsor on the River Thames

Friday 26th June: A mixed weather day today.  It started rather grey with a light shower of rain just before I took the dogs a walk this morning but had cleared by the time we set off about 10:30 and we had a lovely cruise in warm sunshine.  Not long after we set off we passed into new territory for us before the next lock at Cookham.  The last time we came this way we turned about a half mile after the railway bridge at Bourne End.  We passed on down stream through Boulters Lock and Bray lock either side of Maidenhead then through Boveney lock and into Windsor mooring about 2:30pm just before the railway bridge taking the Windsor & Eton trains to Slough along one of the longest set of railway arches in the country.  By this time it was cooling and a breeze was starting to make the river choppy for turning and mooring up.  Had a late lunch sat on a convenient seat outside the boat and paid our £8 for tonight's mooring!

After lunch we became tourists for the rest of the afternoon and early evening generally walking our legs off in Eton and Windsor.

Saturday 27th June: Another sunny day today.   We set off into Windsor with a half hearted intention of doing Windsor castle

but when we got there the length of the queue put us off (the picture was taken the night before!)  Had a wander round doing the tourist bit and had coffee at Nell Gywnn's in Church Street

before heading down into the shopping area for some shoes and trousers.  Headed back to the boat for lunch and chilled out watching the boats and listening to the cheers coming from Windsor race course.  Once it had cooled down we took the dogs for a walk to a local Co-op for a few basics.

06-25 Bourne End on the River Thames

Thursday 25th June:  Another warm and sunny day (rather humid and sometimes cloudy).  Whilst preparing for departure I spotted an Inland Waterways Services  narrow boat heading past and hailed him to fill up with diesel.  It was Chris Iddon whose card I was given by Spencer at reading Marine services when we discussed diesel sales on the Thames.  His dog Stanley was sat on his bed above the diesel tank! We had a very pleasant cruise along the rowing mile through Henley and then on through four locks Hambledon, Hurley (where we stopped long enough to use the services and fill our water tank then shared the lock and next two with nb Greyfisher) , Temple and Marlow.  Finally spotted a mooring on the wharf at Bourne End and turned to face up river and slot in between two wide beam boats (one built at Burscough).    Had a wander into the shops to use the Co-op taking the dogs with us this time and then had a wander over the railway to look at Spade Oak nature reserve and lake ending up for a drink outside The Spade Oak.

06-24 Henley on River Thames

Wednesday 24th June:  Another cracking day today so made a reasonably early start from Reading Marine just after 9am.  Minor panic just before Caversham Lock when inverter failed to obey for washing machine and showed a red light.  Quick foray into engine compartment to find engineer had failed to switch master switch back on.  On down through Sonning, Shiplake and Marsh locks retracing our route of last Saturday.  Another minor incident at Sonning, (no rope round prop!) but as we sailed through the centre arch of road bridge a swimmer surfaced just besides the boat. Not even a youngster but a man of an age that I would have expected to be more sensible than to choose to swim in the navigation channel of a narrow bridge!   We circuited the island at Henley again and moored just a few boat lengths short of where we moored on Saturday.  This time we had to go and find a parking meter to pay our extortionate £10 mooring fee for the night!  Off into Henley and had lunch at The Angel and then went for a wander round town before returning to PO to pick up the dogs for a walk back to Marsh Lock

06-23 Reading Marine on River Thames at Tilehurst

Monday 22nd June:   Day started miserable grey and wet and this persisted until midday when it brightened up although the wind got a bit fresh as the day wore on.  David & Harriet joined us about 11am and we set off after a coffee break up river through Whitchurch Lock.  Then had an hours cruise (some of it in rain) up to Goring where we moored for lunch..  Turned and returned down river through Whitchurch and Mapledurham locks to Tilhurst where we moored up at Reading Marine for an engine service tomorrow.

Tuesday 23rd June: Service proceeded (in fits and starts as wrong oil filter delivered and had to wait for replacement) so eventually completed  about 5:30pm so stay put here tonight.  Unfortunately missed a pretty reasonable day for cruising as weather fine sunny and dry!

06-21 Pangbourne Meadow on the River Thames

Sunday 21st June: After last nights heavy rain with more in the evening today was at least dry all day.  Not especially warm and much fresher after the storm.  We had  a slow start and went into Reading to do a bit of shopping finally getting under way about 1:30pm.  Headed  out of the loop and back down the Kennet through Blakes lock (unmanned again) then onto the Thames heading back up river this time arriving at Caversham lock just after 2 pm.  Gentle cruising then through Reading and Tilehurst to Mapledurham lock where we caught up with the African Queen and another narrow boat. Surprisingly we all managed to get into the lock together but feeling somewhat dwarfed by the African Queen.  We wanted to get onto the end of the layby for the services which was full of GRP boats heading down river waiting to go into the lock.  It was now fairly windy and above the lock we received the full force of it. The last boater was too busy eating an ice cream to move on down the layby as required although the lock keeper was beckoning him into the lock and I was gesticulating that I wanted to moor up.  He did eventually move when I put us into reverse and headed for him but by now our bow was pointing at the weir stream and I gave up and had to let the stream and wind turn us 180 onto the layby!  Services done I then had to turn back into the wind to head upstream.
We arrived at Pangbourne meadow after another half hour and moored up.

06-20 Reading - Forbury Gardens on the River Kennet

Friday 19th June:  Another lovely warm sunny day today.  Our son David joined us this morning at about 9:30 at Goring and we set off down river for Reading.  We passed through Whitchurch and Mapledurham locks before cruising the long stretch of river through Tilehurst into Reading.   The park was covered in No Mooring signs (although it seems plenty of navigators were ignoring them) and the mooring we used at Caversham last time we cruised this way was out of bounds with a new footbridge under construction right by the island.  We stopped briefly to pick up 'Scottish' John a friend of Davids who lives nearby (even this brief stop attracted attention!) made our way through the construction works to Caversham lock.  The lock keeper agreed that mooring in Reading is a bit of a no-no with moorings for casual visitors on the Thames limited to only about 8 boats given that the Tesco moorings are not controlled and overused.  We adopted plan b and turned onto the River Kennet through Blakes lock and into Abbey loop where we found a mooring (rather shallow!) after a line of 'permanent' moorers near to the Bel and Dragon where we all went for lunch.


Saturday 20th June:  David and Harriet arrived with Harriet's folks about 10am and we set off round the rest of the loop and back down Blakes lock onto the Thames.  Objective, lunch in Henley, but the weather forecast was somewhat dire and it didn't look too promising.  At Sonning lock yours truly managed to miss lassoing the bollard at the same time as leaving the engine in gear.  Result rope round prop and a red face!  We were help out of the lock onto landing where we spent the next 20 minutes down in the weed hatch!   Next two locks passed without incident and we enjoyed the scenery and ogling the expensive riverside properties.  Once in Henley we did a circumnavigation of the island looking for a 60' gap alongside the park  and succeeded in beating Colonel's Follie (which we had passed through the lock with) to about the only one left!   Walked down to the Anchor for lunch amongst all the visitors enjoying a Saturday out in Henley.  The return journey was equally eventful  as the dire weather arrived just as we left Sonning lock.  Rain came down in buckets and thunder crashed overhead as everyone but me retreated into the boat.  Even Mac eventually gave up and was led inside before he was drowned in the deluge.   The rain eased as we turned onto the Kennet although the river towards Blakes lock was black with storm water and we were pushed around by the torrents of water joining the river from storm drains.  Back onto Abbey loop although this time we made for the Reading Council 24 hour moorings outside the jail!   Reading really knows how to make it's boating visitors feel welcome!

06-18 Goring on the River Thames

Thursday 18th June:  A sunny morning with slight but pleasant breeze. Made an early start back down to Cleeve lock water point.  Watered up whilst the trip boat "African Queen" came up through the lock.  We then entered and descended the lock together with "Le Onde" and on down a short distance to Goring lock where we both had to wait for a lock full of boats to ascend towards us.
Found the 24 hr moorings at Goring to be almost empty and moored up to enjoy the ambiance and Bridie went off for a bit of shopping while I looked after the dogs.  Had lunch and cancelled our TV licence after reading that the BBC has £5m to give Chris Evans to run Top Gear - they obviously do not need a contribution from us!  Given that we have not bothered to put the TV ariel up since we came on board this year and only ever watch DVD's  it is a waste of £145 a year.

06-17 Streatley on the River Thames

Tuesday 16th June: A lovely sunny day! We had a slow start  and went sightseeing and shopping in Wallingford having paid our £5 to the  warden that came knocking on the boat just as I was about to take the dogs a walk.  About midday we set off down river and only cruised as fay as Cleeve lock where we filled up with water and chatted to the owner of the dutch barge Anna.  Once full we turned back up river about a mile and moored at Streatley looking back down towards Cleeve lock.  Too warm to do much so chilled out by the side of the boat and Bridie caught up with lost sleep.  Plenty of activity on the river including three steam boats

in procession down towards the lock.

Wednesday 17th June:  Not quite so hot today and more cloud but still pretty warm.  Both spent the morning on chores, Bridie cleaning inside the boat and I cleaned the starboard side down and had a general tidy up.  During the afternoon we walked the dogs down by the lock and watched a Salters 'Steamer' going down the river.  Returned to the boat for G&T and sherry watching the geese, kites and boats go by.

 It returned empty later in the early evening.

06-15 Wallingford on the River Thames

Monday 15th June:  Lovely sunny day and after a dog walk and breakfast we set off down river for the short trip to Wallingford.  Squeezed behind a Le Boat (Hired by a German crew) into Benson Lock - they had just set off from Benson Wharf.  Then followed them slowly down stream through Wallingford Bridge where we turned and passed back through it to moor facing upriver on the Council quay we have moored on before.   I went into Wallingford for some supplies and a general wander

while Bridie was busy on the boat (keeping out of the sun) and then we took the dogs for a walk. At first we tried going to Castle gardens but dogs not allowed so crossed the bridge and walked the meadows on the other side of the river.  Back to the boat and had a pleasant evening chilling out and watching the rowing.

06-14 Shillingford on the River Thames

Sunday 14th June: Day started rather grey and dismal and after taking the dogs for a walk we crossed the river just before 9am and moored at the wharf by the Nags Head, waiting for the diesel sales to open.

Finished breakfast while we waited and then when they did appear (about 9:40) and served us they ran out of diesel, at least, I think I took their last 50 litres! Once transaction completed we set off and headed down river. Unlike yesterday the grey overcast skies lifted without any further rain and before long we could see some blue sky and eventually even some sunshine!
Had a chance to get a close up of these two Common Blue Damselflies as we cruised down river when they used me as a landing pad.

Passed down through Culham, Clifton and Days locks.  The first two of these we descended on our own although we did pass a few boats and rowers going the other way. At Days lock a hire boat descended with us and we made for the services lay by on exiting whilst they went off ahead. Then down the last few bends to Shillingford bridge where we found possible moorings at the Hotel.  Went through the bridge and turned to moor up facing up river about 1:30pm.  Moored next to a pair of canal boats belonging to a "Mohican" we had spoken to in Tilehurst back in February who took the ropes and helped us moor up

behind "Arnhem" an 1894 Dutch barge.

Had a drink outside the hotel and booked a table for tonight and then took the dogs for a walk back up river

06-13 Abingdon on the River Thames

Thursday 11th June:  A much sunnier day with only a light breeze and we made a reasonably early start through Osney lock and down river.  Actually went through the lock with nb Jolly Badger which we have been tailing for a few days now.  They were going to moor up a bit further down stream and so we left them behind and didn't share either of the other two locks (Iffley & Sandford) today.  We did pass a few boats going the other way but the overall impression was that we had the Thames to ourselves.  A very pleasant cruise through great English countryside.  Arrived at Abingdon lock intending to use the services and water up but spotted a short length of 24 hr mooring with canal type straight edge we could hardly ignore.   In fact decided to stay an extra night and went off to pay the lock keeper our £5.  Spent the afternoon chilling out in the sun watching the local wildlife in the stream below the towpath.

Aware of noise in the tree behind this monster we saw that a woodpecker was regularly returning to a hole in the trunk to feed its young but we were unable to get a photo of this event.  Also watched the boats go by in and out of the lock

including the Salters "Steamer" on its regular service between Abingdon and Oxford.

as well as Stanley a French Basset with a flat hat and owner!

Before Bridie prepared our evening meal we took the dogs for a walk down the towpath to see all the below lockers moored before and in Abingdon (not as select and quiet as the three boats moored here above the lock surrounded by trees).

Friday 12th June: Paying the price for yesterday's good weather, today being grey and overcast with frequent light showers during the day.  No sitting outside on the chairs today!  First expedition was to Waitrose with Molly the trolley to replenish supplies. That ended in me doing two trips as despite having Molley we still had too many bags to cope with easily, but then we did stock up the beer supplies (David please note)!   Left Bridie sat on a park bench with Molly and numerous bags of shopping looking like a little old bag lady.
Having unpacked and had lunch we then made a second foray into Abingdon for a wander round, a trip to Boots etc and then just because it was raining and miserable we checked out 'The Anchor' on the riverside.   Then back up the Thames path to PO to collect the dogs for a walk back up river through the meadows surrounding Swift Ditch and the remains of the first Pound  lock on the River Thames.

We think the main yellow flower in this meadow was Common Hawkweed but there were also lots of Birdsfoot Trefoil and Oxide Daisies as well as Clover  and Flycatcher.

And also here lots of Poppies.

Saturday 13th June: Today started even greyer than yesterday and it was raining with some fairly heavy showers interspersed with periods of heavy drizzle.  We decided to chance it and made way moving onto the service point after breakfast to fill the water tank dispose of rubbish etc. Then through the lock and the rain was getting heavier again.  It was now 10am and having decided to fill up with diesel at the Chandlery through the bridge we were disappointed to find a large boat moored there and the 'Closed' sign still out.  However there was a mooring free almost immediately opposite so we decided to moor chill out and decide what to do next having joined the 'below lockers' although now about half a mile below.

Had lunch and watched the boat movements through the bridge and on the steamer pier.

The rain finally eased off about 3pm and we wandered down the towpath across the meadows opposite to Abingdon Marina, going as far as where the Swift Ditch re enters the Thames.  We could see a rather nice cottage by an old navigable bridge (this was the original line of the navigable Thames).  Back to the boat and booked an engine service in Reading for the 23rd

06-09 East Street, Osney Island, Oxford on the River Thames

Tuesday 9th June: Rather a grey and windy start to the day which was exacerbated by being moored below the weir stream in a rather exposed position with the wind coming straight up the Thames. Had an early wake up this morning not a cow but a swan stuck between boat and mooring getting in a panic and banging on the boat.  I had to loosen stern ropes and let the boat drift out and encourage it to get out with the mop!   Couldn't get back to sleep after being out in the cold at 5:30.  Once ready we headed off downstream for Oxford.  Rather grey skies and ran into a couple of brief showers on the way.  Past Dukes cut this time and then through Kings and Godstow locks and finally moored at the moorings in East Street

just above Osney Lock

at lunch time.  After a few chores and lunch we left the dogs on board while we headed out and did the Tourist bit in Oxford.

We then had refreshments in "Chequers" and dinner at the Slug 'n Lettuce before returning to the boat for coffee and to feed and exercise the dogs.

Wednesday 10th June: Another grey and cool start to the day although too sheltered here to tell how windy it might be on the river.  Paid £5 to stay on mooring for another 24 hour to be able to go and visit the Botanic Garden in Oxford.  Had about 1.3 miles to walk into Oxford and down the High street to the Botanic garden

opposite to Magdalen College.  We enjoyed mooching round the hot houses and noting the temperature difference to the cool air outside. But after a while the weather improved, the sun came out, and it was quite warm out of the wind so we were able to wander freely and see the colours lit up by the sun.

We also enjoyed wandering around the Physic garden reading all the details about plants usage in medicine.

By late lunch time we were getting hungry and thirsty so wandered back into town ending up at St Aldates Tavern near Christchurch for a fish and chip lunch.  Followed this up with a brief shopping expedition, but Oxford was manic with shoppers, students and tourist's - loads of crocodiles of youngsters and oldies playing follow the leader from site to site - so not our scene so we returned to PO to collect the dogs and go for a walk down the towpath as far as Folly's Bridge.

06-08 Eynsham on the River Thames

Saturday 6th June: Although bright with sunshine the wind was quite strong today and it did try to rain before we set off.  However we decided to risk it and de-moored heading through Halfpenny Bridge to wind outside the Riverside Inn and then head back to St Johns Lock.  Not an easy lock landing as it is on an exposed bend and requires a sharp turn away from the weir but we made it!  Despite the wind we made good progress and we saw a few more boats on the move today being Saturday but never enough to hold us up at the locks.

We decided to moor just after Radcot bridge

and not too far from where we moored on the way up river.  After lunch we took the dogs for a long walk back up river along the Thames path and back stopping off at The Swan for refreshment where we sat by the river opposite a campsite slowly filling up with VW camper vans.

Too windy to sit out for long and so we didn't get the seats out today.

Sunday 7th June:  Set off this morning in sunshine and only a gentle breeze.  Through Radcot Lock and onwards down river with very little traffic on the move. Spotted an almost empty pub mooring at the Tadpole Inn just before midday and moored up next to nb Hermonie.  The chap on board reckoned they opened at midday and did very good lunches.  However when I went to check I was told they were fully booked so we decided to move on.  Disappointing as on our trip up river the mooring and been full of small boats.   We ended up mooring near Newbridge on same mooring we used heading up river.

After a spot of lunch we decided it was too hot(!) to go far and got the seats out by the boat.  Being a Sunday the Thames path was quite busy and we had a steady procession of walkers passing during the afternoon.  Once it had quietened down and cooled a little (after 7pm) I took the dogs for a walk down the meadow about a mile or so to the footbridge while Bridie prepared dinner.

Monday 8th June: Another dry sunny day with a breeze steadily turning into an annoyingly cold wind.   Had a pleasant enough cruise down river though and might have stopped on the 24 hour moorings just above Pinkhill lock but they were busy with strimmers cutting the grass so carried on and moored just below Eynsham Lock on the same 24hr lock mooring we used heading up river having filled up with water first above the lock.  Had lunch and then walked into Eynsham for a Co-op shop.  Managed to navigate our way round the village and found it has at least 3 more pubs than we spotted last time as well as an Indian Restaurant! Once back at PO with food stored we took the dogs and walked down river this time through woods featured in Inspector Morse series on TV and then back out on an open meadow again -part of the FAI farm - http://farminspirationtrust.org/fit/our-farm/

06-05 Lechlade on the River Thames

Thursday 4th June: Woke to a gloriously sunny day and went without breakfast to make an early start.  Very pleasant cruise from Kelmscott to Lechlade  through Buscot and St Johns locks (both manned) moored up on the town moorings just before Halfpenny bridge

after a false start which ended up with us aground about 20 feet out in the river.  Sudden brainwave and sent Bridie to the front of the boat and floated free (well the two events may not be connected)!

After lunch went into the 'town' and did some shopping

then took the dogs for a walk back across the meadow to St Johns Lock to see Father Thames.

Had a read sitting outside the boat and fending off the rather inquisitive cows that have a reputation with local boaters.   Later in the evening went for another walk into Lechlade and had an Italian meal for a change.

Friday 5th June:  Woke at some unearthly hour to splashing and banging noises close to the boat.  On investigation found that a young cow had managed to fall into the river between the bank and the boat moored just behind us. Donned jeans and jacket and went to chase off rest of herd before trying to see what could be done.  Eventually after trying to get it out up the bank between boats it forced its way between PO and the bank then swam round the next boat and then forced its way round two more boats before climbing out in the shallows by Halfpenny Bridge.   Back to bed!
Spent the morning on another shopping trip and explore of Lechlade during which I managed to visit a Barbers shop to get my hair and beard trimmed (trying not to return looking like Uncle Albert).  Quite an experience as I have not visited a barbers shop in over thirty years and this one was run by an Italian woman whose favourite film star appears to be Clint Eastwood given the photo gallery visible on the wall behind me and reflected in the mirror.
During the afternoon we took the dogs through Halfpenny Bridge and riverside park then along the riverside path to Inglesham to see site of Thames & Severn canal lock

 returning via river footbridge north of the river and into Lechlade where we stopped for refreshment (a common occurrence!).  I put my head through the door at The Crown to ask if they were dog friendly to be greeted by a response from a customer to say yes but they weren't people friendly!  Dogs were served to water before I got my Beer and Bridie her wine.  Mabel suddenly noticed the

Elvis statue in the fireplace and growled at it.  Before long the dogs were also given biscuits so they want to go again!
We returned to PO and spent the rest of the afternoon relaxing on the bank reading and fending off the cows again.  At one point a cow was getting very inquisitive about Mac and kept sniffing him.  Eventually Mac had had enough and barked at him and off the cow went.
During the day saw two B52 bombers circling to land at Fairford

http://yournewswire.com/us-bring-nuclear-bombers-to-the-uk-despite-british-concerns/

06-03 Kelmscott on the River Thames

Wednesday 3rd June:  Although it rained overnight and our sleep was disturbed by an RAF transport plane doing circuits over Oxfordshire between midnight and one am that involved a steep turn onto the line of the Thames right over our boat (I think he did between 8-10 circuits and only missed us once!)  today was a glorious day.  It started with a surprise though, the electric fence across the meadow must have been removed to allow the dairy herd to get to fresh grass including that surrounding the boat. First thing I heard what I thought was walkers on the Thames path but looking out of the porthole found a group of cows staring back at me.  Made for an interesting walk with the dogs first thing! Once back we decided to get moving before the cows did any damage with the ropes and in the hope that we could share the lock ahead with a narrow boat I had seen approaching Radcot lock.

It was a very sunny and reasonably warm start to the day but there was still  bit of a breeze as we set off. In the event the narrow boat did not catch us up until after we passed through Grafton lock and were on the water point. The lock was manned by a very friendly lock keeper so no "self service" today.   We moved on through some more s-bends and past more yellow meadows and moored up about midday just before the official mooring for the manor house (which was occupied).

Today was one of two days in the week that the house is open to the public, so we made haste and went off to visit the home of William & Jane Morris & Dante Gabriel Rossetti.  It is an idyllic and  very quirky and homely old farm house with lovely garden

built by Tomas Turner about 1600.  We had  a quiche and salad lunch sitting outside in the sun

and walked into the village to visit a craft fair in the Morris Memorial village hall.  Bought a Biro with Olive wood barrel and an oak cased battery clock for the boat. We then collected the dogs for a furtgher explore including a visit to the church and grave yard to see the unusual William Morris grave stone.

Returned to PO with a stop for refreshment at The Plough (again sitting outside in the sun)

Unfortunately it is undergoing refurbishment and not serving food at present.  Once returned to PO we had a most enjoyable evening before dinner sitting outside (under almost total blue sky) listening to the birdsong.   Is  this summer at last?