THE TERRIFIC THAMES.

 

I love being on the river, especially when its hot, and as you know we have had some scorching weather recently.

As we exited Isis lock we turned right towards Lechlade, we haven’t done this bit before and we didn’t intend going all the way to the end, our time scale wouldn’t allow it.

We did have 2 large river locks to do before mooring up, both self service. The first was all electric so an easy job for me. I jumped off and helped 2 boats to lock down, before bringing our boat up. The second lock was manual and strange to me, as the paddles were raised by using what looked like a ships steering wheel, but it was well maintained so not hard work at all. At the second lock we had expected to get water but we couldn’t see the tap. It turned out that at this lock the tap is in the office and you can only fill jerry cans but we use a hose.

We wild moored for the night, this means we didn’t use official moorings, but just pitched up and stayed where we could get alongside the bank.

I got up early next morning to a beautiful sight, the river was bathed in mist as the sun rose, absolutely stunning. Then I went back to bed.

The hot weather caused us a few issues on Sunday.

The day started with us heading back the way we had come, only to turn round again when a helpful Lock Keeper told us there was water at the next lock up. But not before we picked up a couple of visitors. Angela and Graham. I had been chatting with them whilst the Captain chatted with the lock keeper. I decided to ask them if they fancied cruising up to the next lock and back with us, and they jumped at the chance. It’s nice to offer someone an experience they have never had before. We chatted away about all sorts and discovered that my daughter and Angela’s had been born 2 days a part, its a strange world at times. Graham got a little motion sick, but a nice cup of tea soon had him right.

After filling with water we turned back and. dropped them back off at the lock The Lock Keeper commended us on our generosity in taking them on a little cruise. It was our pleasure.

After this things started getting a little chaotic, the fine weather had bought all and sundry to the river, and everywhere we looked there were people young and old, swimming, in canoes, on paddle boards and all manner of boats power and unpowered making the most the cool river. It took all of the Captain concentration to navigate NB Avalon Two through the melee of people. There was a lot of muttering and chuntering under his breath, but he kept his cool, and were soon through the worst of it and wild moored in the shade.

This was the first time the plank came into use to get us off the boat. I was very wary, but after a bit of encouragement I tried stepping on to it, still not happy, but my confidence was building and I felt sure that the day would come when I would be able to trot my way across without fear.

Our plan next day was to get to Abingdon and stay for the night. We had been sharing the locks with another narrow boat called Old Badger from Reading, this meant its Captain was full of local knowledge regarding moorings, so was able to give my Captain some pointers to the best moorings.

I must say the moorings in Abingdon are great, a large flat grassed area with enough room for 5/6 boats, and free for 3 days. The town itself is very pretty with a range of shops and pubs.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Abingdon-on-Thames

After doing some investigating, I determined that the Brewery Tap would be our best hope of finding a dark ale for the Captain. They had 2 darks on, a porter and one of the Captains all time favourites London Stout. So one very happy bunny. The food menu looked interesting, but it was back to the boat for tea.

https://www.thebrewerytap.net/#7-nights-a-week-copy

Egyptian Geese

Tuesday and a little respite from the sun as the cloud stayed with us all day. The river was peaceful after the weekend, and I managed to spot a little egret amongst the geese and the ducks. We have also seen some Egyptian geese.

Little Egret

Wallingford was the next place on our agenda, again we shared the locks with NB Old Badger and the Captain got more mooring advice from its Captain. But it was not to be, the accessible moorings (charged at £12 per night) were all full, there was a lot of git gapping going on so we had to turn and use some, yes you have guessed it, a wild mooring the Captain had spotted. On this occasion I could get off and on to the bank, but there was no way I was going to get up, or more importantly down the slope to the path. So out came the plank again, and with the Captains encouragement, and my determination to get to the pub, I managed to get to the path. I put out of my mind having to get back on until we had had a walk round the very pretty town, the lovely St Mary-le-more church and been to the pub.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wallingford,_Oxfordshire

We tried the Cross Keys first no darks on, in fact the landlord had a very strange idea of what a dark ale was, he pointed proudly to a pump clip of a bitter saying this is a dark ale waiting to come on. Bitter is not a dark ale. When we pointed this out we got the same old spiel, Oh we cant sell that sort of beer. The Captain ended up with a bitter which wasn’t to bad.

https://www.thecrosskeyswallingford.com/

Then off to The Boat House pub and tea. The Captain had had a look at the menu and was impressed with what he saw, especially the prices. It got even better as on weekdays you can get 2 main courses for just over £14, a bargain. We both chose pie, I had the steak and ale and the Captain chicken and ham. They were very tasty but I would have preferred a little more meat in mine. They also give CAMRA members 10% of real ales.

https://www.greeneking-pubs.co.uk/pubs/oxfordshire/boat-house/

The red kites have been with us all the time. Just before mooring there where 8 above the boat, all soaring and enjoying the clear skies. We have seen kingfishers and heard the plaintive hoot of an owl in the woods opposite the boat.

On to the Kennet and Avon canal next.