Monday 28 September 2015

Up the beautiful Middle Thames towards Oxford

Mon 28 Sept Another idyllic morning from Wallingford to Abingdon

Setting off in the misty early morning, the sun was burning off the dew from the water meadows as we took our time. The river was like a mirror, so the camera was in use: What a really well used present it has been! Thank you, Sarah!
No one else was on the water. Arriving at Day Lock, we operated it together, as the lock keeper was not due until 0900. Soon the river became busier. We shared locks with a pleasant group of South Africans on a hire boat. Emerging from Benson lock, we waved to NB Epiphany, who were just setting off. We read their interesting blog. At Abingdon, the park was full of moored boats, so we moored opposite, helped by the gentleman off NB Black Swan. Popping into town for shopping, I wondered how Wetherspoons do a sirloin steak for £4.99!


Sun 27 Sept Cavendish to Wallingford

Apart from conkers falling on the roof, we slept surprisingly well, next to the Cavendish Bridge, in front of the Crown Plaza hotel. The bow rope was tethered to a cannon!
Another glorious day travelling up river, with lots to photograph.
The pub at Goring was expensive, so we had lunch on board, followed by a delicious spag bog in the evening.
We waved to bloggers NB No Problem and widebeam Still Rockin' , moored at Beale Park.
The day was so lovely that we continued steadily, mooring opposite the Boat House pub at Wallingford.

Sat 26 Sept Startrekking across the Universe!

Setting off from the Cunning Man, we shared the locks to Reading with a lovely couple (their name was Kirk and their dog was Bones!) on NB Enterprise ( logo Boldly going where everyone has been before!) , which gave us laughs and help.
The guidance for boaters going through the narrows at Reading
you don't get many red lights on the canal! this is for the narrows through Reading



Enterprise setting off from the traffic lights below the lock at Reading

the narrows in Reading

Dinosaurs in Reading


We

We left them mooring at Reading by the Abbey, and continued on to the River Thames and headed upriver, finding a mooring just above Cavendish Bridge.


The Reading riverside is surprisingly scenic: Other towns could take a hint ...

Moorings for smaller boats. We moored at the castle/prison loop

In the afternoon, we trained to Thatcham, John drove to Banbury, then we returned to Annie by train. That Two Travel Together card is very useful.

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