1st July 2011 - And then there was one (again!)

Yet another fantastic sunny, clear start to the day! We weighed anchor (well untied) at 0830 and continued our slow cruise downstream. Many red kites, kingfishers and much more were to be seen all morning.

Today's wildlife:

I think he's going to choke if he tries to swallow that fish in one!

Eventually the tranquility is broken by the arrival of Cleeve lock, we top off the water before descending and as we enter the lock a couple of nice big white plastic fenders arrive and descend with us. The ensuing chat reveals that they're off to Henley Regatta, apparently it's this weekend. Fantastic I think, I've lived near it for many years and tomorrow I'll get the best close up ever! Looking forward to the boating chaos too! Most things give way to 15 tons of steel!! Last year the lockie at Cleeve owned a Porsche, it's not the same guy this year. So the short cruise (about half a mile) to Goring lock, the two fenders have taken the landing space so I hover about in the current and wind while the lock is readied, then in we go to meet the jolliest lockie to date! Dancing about, and yes, he's the Porsche owner, probably looking forward to a drive after work.

Goring Lock:

Onwards, passing some very big, expensive looking houses, Beale Park comes and goes, then Pangbourne, Whitchurch and Mapledurham locks, the weather now the same as has gone before, cloudy but none of the continually threatened rain. A final lunch on the roof and Reading arrives.

We drop through Caversham lock, pass the Tesco moorings and turn into the Kennet & Avon canal. Up Blakes lock (our first manual lock since Isis) and into the Abbey loop. We pick up Tash and Rob Who've come to collect Penny, Tash talks me into cruising through the Oracle, doesn't take much as I love posing!
The guide shows turning at the top of County lock (just through the Oracle) I enter the lock and take a look. I'm unimpressed as it looks difficult, especially with a bit of a stream, so I reverse out of the lock and give it a go below, no problem! Back through for a second pose, say goodbye to Penny the other side and back to Blakes lock and the Thames all alone.

I know what a ditherer I am when it comes to mooring, so I resolve to stop at the first half decent spot. This appears jujst before Sonning lock, so I'm wedged between two trees.

A bit of a minor resort of boat, David is coming on Sunday and I now seem to have a vast amount of cupboard space!! A call to Penny to enquire about my missing phone charger lead reveals it to be behind the radiator in the bedroom! I've no idea why she put it there! And now about twenty million boats are going up and down the river! busiest I've seen it since Oxford, wonder if it's anything to do with Henley? Oh, and one of them was NB Hobo, our companion from our second trip from Limehouse last year, they're off to Henley!

Today: 21.5 miles -    7 locks -     8.5 hours
So Far: 325 miles - 277 locks - 166.5 hours