Boats, locks, trees & bridges

We have had to leave our friends on Rock n Roll and Derwent6 behind. Our plan is to get to Banbury so Ann can get home on the train. We did go south to get diesel at Sheperton marina where it is apparently ‘Non Bio’. It is something to ask for next time. Note to Sue for her Diesel survey perhaps.

The weather is brilliant and the Thames calm n quiet. With only two or three boats joining us in locks and so far plenty of room at the moorings. “Space for four, room for one does not seem to apply now.” In the past the ‘Plastics’ were a different breed but now they all wave back as they shoot past.

Between Runnymede and Windsor the aircraft were flying low over our heads almost every five minutes. We could see them in the distance one behind the other. With another runway on the ground the air could get very crowded. While moored at Windsor the trip boats are running to and fro between the castle and the racecourse creating waves. Causing a tsunami to head our way every time to rock our boat. So much so that the water in our tank sloshes about noisily. Sue’s blog reminds us the canals are very busy with many boats joining queues at the locks.

Bourne End mooring

We continued our journey to Bourne End and then to Henley. Still in glorious sunshine making the views bright and colourful.

This is the concrete corner that stopped our boat going down in August at Marlow Lock.

At Hurley lock we got the water tank filled, while being entertained by a person strumming his guitar in that sunshine. Molly is not so happy cos she is missing her walk along a towpath.

Any one for an ice cream.

Henley

Next day we passed slowly through Henley reach and under the bridge. Boats of all shapes and sizes approached from every direction. There are quite a few islands in the middle of the river and some times we are not sure which side to go. “If there are no arrows perhaps it does not matter”. 

Shiplake Lock

 As we approached Sonning Bridge the lock must have let a bunch of boats go. We saw some through the bridge. Two boats with people walking about on the roof being jolly merry. Then a small cruiser followed through as we hovered, the lady warned us about yet another ‘Steamer’. We were obliged to give way as we were going up stream but by now were committed to go under the bridge. Thankfully the huge Passenger boat had seen us and waited.

It had been another hot cruising day as we approached Reading. The moorings opposite the marina looked promising but proved to be shallow. Then we were lucky to get a space under the trees just before the Tesco moorings. “Guess what, we decided to go shopping and stay the night as it was nice and cool!”