Well, 8.00 Wednesday morning I'm pumping the boat out, 8.00 in the evening I'm at the O2 watching Fleetwood Mac!!
Ok, sorry about last night, but no internet signal!!
Right, to try to sum up, and no pictures as signal is very poor here, no idea as to why, we're right next to the M40!!
I think we left you tied up above Clifton Lock on Tuesday evening, oh no we didn't!! We were in Abingdon on Tuesday!! Well, we left 0730ish, worked ouselves up the lock and used the services above. This done, we left at 8.15 heading for Oxford. I can't remember anything untoward happening, steady progress through Sandford and Iffley locks, Billy no mates in both, then at Osney we waited for ages for two boats to come down, they were buying licenses. Another narrowboat turned up and we locked up together, then it was good to see plenty of space on the Osney moorings, which we tied up on. It was 11.30.
A relaxing lunch and a bit of a lounge around, then off to the station for the 1501 to Paddington. We went to the O2 via Desigual in Regent St and GBK on the South Bank, eventually getting there at 1930. Fleetwood Mac were awesome, again!! We've seen them twice now. One of the true great rock bands.
We left as songbird was playing, the last one, as we wanted to make sure we didn't miss the last train back to Oxford. We didn't, but only got back to the boat at 0130!!
As you can understand, we had a bit of a lie in in the morning, it was nearly 10 when we set off. Continuing up the river to Kings lock, then the left turn onto Dukes cut and the South Oxford canal.
We seemed to have it pretty much to ourselves, making good progress as far as Shipton Weir lock, only to find a queue of boats at the top and bottom and a CRT guy fishing around with a keb at the bottom gate. Turns out some local yoof had deposited bricks and rubble near the gate and it wouldn't close. After a while he gave it a try, a big pile of rubble was on the lockside, and sterted to lock boats up and down. The gate was still leaking quite badly, but with some weight on the top gate we managed to force it open!!
We cruised on and stopped for the night at the old quarry moorings near Kirtlington. Been by here many times, the first time We've stopped. Turns out to be very interesting, lots of woodland paths, the old quarry, looks to be very popular with the locals for dog walking and stuff. Such a popular spot that 2 other boats joined us.
Now to today, I think!!
Set off just after 8, very peaceful and quiet, not many boats about. It rained a bit early on and again later. We're now at Twyford Wharf, the noise from the M40 in the background. Just a regular steady cruising day, nothing much of note to report, just the impending end of cruise blues!!
Friday 26 June 2015
Wednesday 24 June 2015
No Blog Tonight!
We're off to London to see Fleetwood Mac tonight, so tonight's blog is cancelled, I'll be back tomorrow.
PS, we're currently in Oxford.
Tim.
PS, we're currently in Oxford.
Tim.
Tuesday 23 June 2015
Wot? No Photo's!
It seems I've been slacking today, there are no photo's, my apologies for the oversight.
It was a short day, we left the gold plated mooring at Clifton somewhere around 8.45, a couple of boats already having gone past. It was a slow pleasant cruise to Culham lock where a cruiser caught us up to lock up with us. There were 2 narrowboats waiting to come down, it was already looking busier tham yesterday.
We continued the gentle cruise, letting the cruiser pass us in the lock cut, another narrowboat coming down from Abingdon just after we rejoined the river.
More luck with moorings today, there was a space left on the right by the park, our favourite side, so we tied up for the day.
A resupply visit to Waitrose, then as we did at Windsor a few days ago, we sat out drinking wine.
A warm, sometimes cloudy day, lets hope we get a good mooring in Oxford tomorrow, we need to get to London tomorrow evening.
It was a short day, we left the gold plated mooring at Clifton somewhere around 8.45, a couple of boats already having gone past. It was a slow pleasant cruise to Culham lock where a cruiser caught us up to lock up with us. There were 2 narrowboats waiting to come down, it was already looking busier tham yesterday.
We continued the gentle cruise, letting the cruiser pass us in the lock cut, another narrowboat coming down from Abingdon just after we rejoined the river.
More luck with moorings today, there was a space left on the right by the park, our favourite side, so we tied up for the day.
A resupply visit to Waitrose, then as we did at Windsor a few days ago, we sat out drinking wine.
A warm, sometimes cloudy day, lets hope we get a good mooring in Oxford tomorrow, we need to get to London tomorrow evening.
Monday 22 June 2015
It's not the weekend anymore!
Funny that, Monday arrives, we've gone through 6 locks, all of them as a single boat!! It seems so much quieter again, a factor of the weekend and maybe the upper reaches of the Thames, who knows? who cares? It's much more peaceful whatever the reason.
Latest start of the trip today, 9.20, it rains quite heavily for the 4 miles from Whitchurch to Goring locks, umbrella's up the whole time, then eases off and eventually stops, the day weatherwise improving all the time.
Some rowers on the reach below Wallingford, no moorings in Wallingford (there never is!) and on to Day's lock where we intend to stop for the night and go take a walk around Dorchester, or not! As we ascend the lock there seems to be boats on all the good moorings, and indeed there is, we try to get in a space but it's far too shallow and we struggle to get away again, wind was quite strong. Get away we do, I'm a bit annoyed as there would be a gap if one of the boats moved a bit, but it doesn't and we press on.
No decent moorings at Clifton Hampden, so on to Clifton lock, here there are a couple of spots on the end of the lock landing, so, having had enough for the day I cough the £8.90 and we have a bed for the night.
We walk back along the towpath to CH and the Barley Mow for dinner, good menu and good food, have to force ourselves to skip pudding!!
Only 2 pictures today,
The recently renovated Whitchurch toll bridge:
Benson lock and weir:
Hasta luego.
Latest start of the trip today, 9.20, it rains quite heavily for the 4 miles from Whitchurch to Goring locks, umbrella's up the whole time, then eases off and eventually stops, the day weatherwise improving all the time.
Some rowers on the reach below Wallingford, no moorings in Wallingford (there never is!) and on to Day's lock where we intend to stop for the night and go take a walk around Dorchester, or not! As we ascend the lock there seems to be boats on all the good moorings, and indeed there is, we try to get in a space but it's far too shallow and we struggle to get away again, wind was quite strong. Get away we do, I'm a bit annoyed as there would be a gap if one of the boats moved a bit, but it doesn't and we press on.
No decent moorings at Clifton Hampden, so on to Clifton lock, here there are a couple of spots on the end of the lock landing, so, having had enough for the day I cough the £8.90 and we have a bed for the night.
We walk back along the towpath to CH and the Barley Mow for dinner, good menu and good food, have to force ourselves to skip pudding!!
Only 2 pictures today,
The recently renovated Whitchurch toll bridge:
Benson lock and weir:
Hasta luego.
Sunday 21 June 2015
It's the Weekend
Off at a more leisurely 8.30 this morning, Marlow rowers everywhere. Arrive at Temple lock as my old school acquaintance Dave comes on duty, he says "my daughter wished me a happy fathers day this morning and apologised that there was no card or present as she was broke" He replied "what ever happened to home made cards" Had a bit of a natter and were soon on our way for the short trip to Hurley. Quite a few boats on the move again.
We get to Henley and find a ladies regatta in progress:
We get to Sonning and are the second boat hovering in wait of the lock landing, what is going on? Where have all the boats suddenly come from? Lockie is at lunch and the lock is on self service, eventaully some boats come down and 3 get in and I get a place on the landing. I go to the lock to see if I can help, just as the lockie returns from lunch, "Oh chaos is it" he says. Eventually we get up and as we leave I point to the now empty landing and comment on how order has been restored!!
As we pass Reading, there's another rowing regatta going on, pretty chaotic this one with boats everywhere, still, all adds to the fun!!
We spot today's wildlife just before Caversham lock:
Got itself a bit dirty this one!!
We cruise on to Whitchurch, I scan the moorings for a space as we approach, but to no avail. Then, 2 boat lengths ahead, a boat pulls out, that's never happened before, but not being one for looking a gift mooring in the whatever, in we go all tied up for the night. Look out wine, here we come.
We get to Henley and find a ladies regatta in progress:
We get to Sonning and are the second boat hovering in wait of the lock landing, what is going on? Where have all the boats suddenly come from? Lockie is at lunch and the lock is on self service, eventaully some boats come down and 3 get in and I get a place on the landing. I go to the lock to see if I can help, just as the lockie returns from lunch, "Oh chaos is it" he says. Eventually we get up and as we leave I point to the now empty landing and comment on how order has been restored!!
As we pass Reading, there's another rowing regatta going on, pretty chaotic this one with boats everywhere, still, all adds to the fun!!
We spot today's wildlife just before Caversham lock:
Got itself a bit dirty this one!!
We cruise on to Whitchurch, I scan the moorings for a space as we approach, but to no avail. Then, 2 boat lengths ahead, a boat pulls out, that's never happened before, but not being one for looking a gift mooring in the whatever, in we go all tied up for the night. Look out wine, here we come.
Saturday 20 June 2015
And, Ummm... Marlow Again!
Still not sleeping well, still up early, but resist the temptation to set off early and leave Windsor just after 8.30. The river is a lot busier boatwise than when we came down some 4 weeks ago, it seemed like we had it to ourselves then, but a lot more boats out and about now, must factor in that it's the weekend too!
Back through Boveny, Bray, Boulters Cookham and Marlow locks, all shared with other boats and with other boats coming down. Back through places where I walked and fished as a child, passing some 2 or 3 miles from where I was born.
Brunel's Railway Bridge at Maidenhead:
Maidenhead Bridge:
Approach to Boulters lock:
Ummm... so where exactly is Cookham lock?
We took the last mooring in Marlow, intending initially to go shopping and move on a bit, but after lunch and shopping it started to rain, so we stayed in Marlow for the night, the forecast looks ok for tomorrow so we'll put a shift in.
Lazed around and drank wine, took an after dinner walk, seems to be a number of weddings going on. River a lot quieter now.
Back through Boveny, Bray, Boulters Cookham and Marlow locks, all shared with other boats and with other boats coming down. Back through places where I walked and fished as a child, passing some 2 or 3 miles from where I was born.
Brunel's Railway Bridge at Maidenhead:
Maidenhead Bridge:
Approach to Boulters lock:
Ummm... so where exactly is Cookham lock?
We took the last mooring in Marlow, intending initially to go shopping and move on a bit, but after lunch and shopping it started to rain, so we stayed in Marlow for the night, the forecast looks ok for tomorrow so we'll put a shift in.
Lazed around and drank wine, took an after dinner walk, seems to be a number of weddings going on. River a lot quieter now.
Friday 19 June 2015
So, Windsor, Again!!!
Did I say Maidenhead? Well, we didn't make it, we're in Windsor again, despite my remarks from our visit here on the way down.
I woke early, again, and after coffee and granola got the boat under way just before 7, yes, I said 7!! I actually enjoy cruising at this time of day, not many other boats on the move, mist on the water, looking very enviously at the queues of cars on the roads in the morning rush hour, very calming and peaceful.
We trundled along past Runnymede, Magna Carta and all that - remember? I'd wanted to stop here on the return to take a look, but circumstances prevent this, so we look from the centre of the river. Old Windsor comes next, along with Old Windsor lock.
The Magna Carta thing:
The well signed lock, doubling up with today's wildlife shot:
We'd already met a narrowboat coming down, right earlybirds us narrowboaters!! Only to find a largish plastic descending Old Windsor lock, most unexpected, these guys are rarely seen on the move outside of lock opening hours!! Up we went and on past the neverending Crown estate (see comments about this on our downstream trip!!)
Crown estate and some old castle thing:
Then Datchet on the right, Home Park on the left and Romney lock. Two plastics on the way down in this one!! But they're rentals so that's ok. It's 9.00 when it's our turn and bang on time the lockie arrives and does all the buttons for us. Along the lock cut and into Windsor. I'd been having a discussion with Penny as we trundled along about the best way to get to my eye appointment (in the mobile unit at the Meadows) and after running through trains from Maidenhead (plan A) renting a car for the afternoon (plan B) we settled for plan C, getting the train from Windsor!!
So, indecisive as ever, I tried to moor on the Eton side and gave up (too shallow) then on the outside of tyhe island, (didn't look nice enough) and settled for a spot on the inside of the island just before the railway bridge, turns out to be a great spot, completely restoring my faith in Windsor, helps that it's not the weekend too!! Not bad eh? Day's cruise done by 10.00.
Sat around for a bit, gathered my gear, had to pop home to do some things for Natasha's upcoming visit to Tanzania while I was in the area and walked up to the station. Had an early lunch in Costa coffee and caught the 12.20 to Slough. While waiting for the Reading train a steam engine (Brittania I think) comes through the station smoking us all to death, what an unusual sight!! 3 trains later I was in Blackwater. Did the stuff, had the eye appointment, got run over in the Tesco car park, yes, I actually stepped into the path of an oncoming vehicle, all my fault for not looking, very lucky not to get badly hurt, only damage was the guys wing mirror. Anyway, no eye injection this time, and back to Blackwater for the 4.02 to Reading. You've got it now!! - 3 trains later I was back in Windsor. Penny was sat on the grass by the boat, we drank our remaining stock of white wine, ate Waitrose paprika crisp things and whiled the evening away, even found time for a bit of dinner. See you tomorrow.
I woke early, again, and after coffee and granola got the boat under way just before 7, yes, I said 7!! I actually enjoy cruising at this time of day, not many other boats on the move, mist on the water, looking very enviously at the queues of cars on the roads in the morning rush hour, very calming and peaceful.
We trundled along past Runnymede, Magna Carta and all that - remember? I'd wanted to stop here on the return to take a look, but circumstances prevent this, so we look from the centre of the river. Old Windsor comes next, along with Old Windsor lock.
The Magna Carta thing:
The well signed lock, doubling up with today's wildlife shot:
We'd already met a narrowboat coming down, right earlybirds us narrowboaters!! Only to find a largish plastic descending Old Windsor lock, most unexpected, these guys are rarely seen on the move outside of lock opening hours!! Up we went and on past the neverending Crown estate (see comments about this on our downstream trip!!)
Crown estate and some old castle thing:
Then Datchet on the right, Home Park on the left and Romney lock. Two plastics on the way down in this one!! But they're rentals so that's ok. It's 9.00 when it's our turn and bang on time the lockie arrives and does all the buttons for us. Along the lock cut and into Windsor. I'd been having a discussion with Penny as we trundled along about the best way to get to my eye appointment (in the mobile unit at the Meadows) and after running through trains from Maidenhead (plan A) renting a car for the afternoon (plan B) we settled for plan C, getting the train from Windsor!!
So, indecisive as ever, I tried to moor on the Eton side and gave up (too shallow) then on the outside of tyhe island, (didn't look nice enough) and settled for a spot on the inside of the island just before the railway bridge, turns out to be a great spot, completely restoring my faith in Windsor, helps that it's not the weekend too!! Not bad eh? Day's cruise done by 10.00.
Sat around for a bit, gathered my gear, had to pop home to do some things for Natasha's upcoming visit to Tanzania while I was in the area and walked up to the station. Had an early lunch in Costa coffee and caught the 12.20 to Slough. While waiting for the Reading train a steam engine (Brittania I think) comes through the station smoking us all to death, what an unusual sight!! 3 trains later I was in Blackwater. Did the stuff, had the eye appointment, got run over in the Tesco car park, yes, I actually stepped into the path of an oncoming vehicle, all my fault for not looking, very lucky not to get badly hurt, only damage was the guys wing mirror. Anyway, no eye injection this time, and back to Blackwater for the 4.02 to Reading. You've got it now!! - 3 trains later I was back in Windsor. Penny was sat on the grass by the boat, we drank our remaining stock of white wine, ate Waitrose paprika crisp things and whiled the evening away, even found time for a bit of dinner. See you tomorrow.
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