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/