Made it to Banbury

 

Another long day this time with Giles.  It didn’t take him long to decide he could adapt to Narrowboats, in fact by the last lock before Banbury he decided he’d like to have a go single handing as he had seen the boat in front doing it.

He didn’t do too badly apart from getting half way up the steps to the lock and realising he’d forgotten his winch handle.   However I was told very firmly that I was not to do anything and he sorted himself out and there were no mishaps.    

The final run in to Banbury was interesting as the levels were down and we went aground twice, a good job Giles was agile with the boat pole!

It was very quiet, and we had virtually no holdups.  We passed several hire boats returning to base, but looks like the end of season.   We stopped at AynonWharf for fuel. No problem at all, unlike all road users who appear to have been queuing all day some with no success.   We also managed to get the right end for our hose.   Geoff seems to have secreted ours somewhere, I have searched all obvious places with a marked lack of success.

A very Misty day with the sun very reluctant to make a appearance until we’ll after lunch…….still there was no rain so mustn’t complain.

Today was a day for cows🤣🤣🤣

We thought this might herald rain if you believe the old saying

No progress for Geoffrey which is upsetting.  A great friend went in to see him today but don’t think Geoff was very aware.  They have not got to the bottom of the cause yet, still waiting on some further test results.  The doctor ( and Emma!) keep assuring me that his confused state is very common with people in hospital, especially at our advanced age!

The plan is to remain in Banbury for a good few days.  I am moored near the station so very handy for Oxford.

I

Making a run for home minus the skipper

The new crew member did well yesterday.   Very reluctant to take the helm.  She thought fast cars were more her scene.🤣🤣. However after a bit of practice she managed two bridges and to pass two boats on her own……..except I was not allowed to leave her side!  On the other hand she was brilliant at leaping on and off for locks and lifting bridges although she did admit that the last lock at Dashwood nearly finished her off.

It was a long day, far longer than Geoff and I would ever cruise in a day.  14.25 miles 10 locks and nearly 9 hours. We were both somewhat exhausted by the time we reached Lower Heyford.  

So we have left the mighty Thames and back to a slower pace of life on the canals.    Last night we had Boe with us and after a bit of online trawling found a gem of a pub for a meal.  The Bookbinders ale House in Jericho was a real find and we were lucky to get a table.  

We watered just beyond Aristotle Bridge where we also said goodbye to Boe who had to return to Cornwall as her last guests were arriving on Saturday in the man cave.  She is looking after letting here for the summer.

Meanwhile Geoff is lingering in the John Radcliffe.    There are still no answers as to the cause of his illness.  There has been a slight improvement over the last two days but it seems a long way to go.  Still waiting on results of some tests.  

The goal is to get the boat back to her winter home in Cropredy Marina.    Giles coming to crew on Saturday where we hope to reach Banbury.

 

Stalled in Oxford

 After the fun and games in Abingdon we decided to make a run for Oxford at get back on the Oxford Canal.   Nearly made it !  We thought we would have a last night on the Thames moored at East Street.    There I go again……..making plans…..still haven’t learnt my lesson.   

Lovely trip up the river as the weather was kind.

Plenty of space to moor when we arrived.   So far so good…….until 1am when Geoff woke me to say he felt very unwell.  Not heart this time but rash all over body and splitting headache and hands all swollen.   Tried 111 for a change of numbers!   However on telling them symptoms they upgraded and he was eventually carted off yet again by ambulance to the John Radcliffe.  

After a very frustrating day yesterday (Saturday) when I was unable to get through to hospital and find out anything at all.   I eventually had a phone call from a doctor at 10pm with some information and with profuse apologies for lack of information for 21 hours.   I was a bit upset by this time😳😳

Short story is he is vey unwell and the possible cause, yet to be confirmed, is that it is a severe allergic reaction to the new drug they put him on after his last heart episode on Tuesday.   

Giles and I managed to get in to see him today as he is now on a proper ward……you have to book a slot to visit.

Couldn’t find out much about plan of action etc but he is on insulin intravenously as the reaction has made his diabetes play up.   Also on fluids intravenously as not eating at all.  He did look a sorry sight and not able to talk very long.

Emma coming up tomorrow for visiting and hopefully she will be able to ask better question than me and we can find out more.

Meanwhile I am moored in a safe convenient place just a few miles from the hospital and have been told I can stay here as long as necessary.  

Fun and Games in Abingdon

Onward we did go but at a much more civilised hour and after an excellent breakfast in the Barley Mow pub.    Its a good 10 minute walk but well worth it.  Geoff was somewhat tired on the walk which we should have taken as a warning sign!

A lovely run to Abingdon but somewht dismayed to find the right hnd bank where we usually moor was all cordoned off for an event.   However someone was looking after us as we managed to find the last space on the town side.   It transpired that the next day was dragon boat racing hence the no mooring.  So we had a ringside view.

We were  in good time to have a siesta before being collected and transported to friends Dick and Jackie for supper.   Lovely evening catching up and then a taxi back.

That was the end of the good times!!!

Day 1.....Next morning, Sunday Geoff woke with chest pains again.  Shortness of breath etc so it was 999 yet again.

They carted him off to the John Radcliffe in Oxford as his heart rate was somewhat high.   They had given him Oygen before he left so he was somewhat better.  Sent home later in the day with one of his medications increased.

Day 2    Next morning Monday was a repeat procedure.  Chest pains rapid heart rate, 999 and this time he got the blue lights as they left.  Heart rate was 200+.   All sorts of tests etc in A & E but eventually released with yet another increase in his medication.

Day3    Woke with chest pains yet again (geting monotonous now) same symptoms so 999 again.   This time it was pouring with rain so I really should have had the video going as he was carted off yet again. I tried to walk alongside the stretcher with a big umbrella to keep him dry but in the end I gave up as they were going too fast for me to keep up!   Off with blue lights again.   

This time they decided to shock his heart back into rhythm.   This had much more effect.   Complete change of medication now and they said they would keep him overnight to monitor.  I breathed a sigh of relief as it meant I would not have a 4th morning of calling the ambulance.

The relief lasted until about 6.30pm when he called to say that due to lack of beds he was being discharged!   However he had to wait for the new meds.  This he did waiting in the corridor in A&E until 11pm!  Giles picked him up and delivered him back home by which time he was somewhat stressed and incredibly tired.

Hey ho and on we go.........or rather we dont yet.    He is still feeling none too good and rather weak. so we shall rest here a few days and then try to make haste slowly to get back to Cropredy.

Meanwhile I was moored in a delightful spot

Early morning mist and narrowboat Lily behind.  

and a ringside view of the dragon boat racing.

In addition I have the widebeam Whats the Hurry moored in front with Jane and Andy who have been marvellous.   He has done the engine routine stuff that Geoff would have done on Sunday morning and changed the gas bottles over for me.   They have stayed moored here to be company and if I needed anything.   So nice to have friendly faces around as I must admit by the 3rd carting off yesterday I was getting a little frazzled.

We will see what the next few days bring as Geoff gathers his strength again.

very dreek morning

 My day did not start well.  We had agreed we would leave at 7am but contrary to my normal practice of waking at 4/5 am I was still sleeping at 6.45 when Geoff woke me with a cup of tea!   Getting on the go when not fully awake is not good.   

We managed two locks and planned to have breakfast above Cleeve lock whilst the tank was filling.   That was not to be as when Geoff attached the hose it was worse than ever with leaking.   So we abandoned the effort before we even started.   

Then this happened.  

It’s the first  time we have really been caught out by the rain this year so can’t complain.I nobly stayed below doing the bacon sandwiches.  

Unfortunately I dont have a photo of the next incident which is a great shame.   I was on the tiller with Geoff standing on the top step when he suddenly disappeared as the step gave way.   The look on his face was priceless!  I have an unfortunate habit of involuntary laughter at peoples misfortunes so I was in hysterics!  So much so that Geoff had to extricate himself and take over steering whilst I had to clamber below and rush to the loo.   I’m still laughing….

Still we are now tied up on the moorings at Clifton Hamden Lock but still tired from my early awakening

There has been a certain amount of bad language around as Geoff tried to utilise his somewhat precarious DIY skills on the back step.   No success yet although I keep finding glue in various places and having to scrape it off!.

Hey Ho…on we go tomorrow.

Geoffrey completes the hat trick!

 Its becoming montonous now!!!  Set off bright and early.  Just round the corner was Caversham lock.   As we tied up for me to let Geoff ashore I sensed that all was not well.....which he reluctantly admitted.    Chest pains again and difficulty breathing.   He chooses his spots with care as I just had to reverse back to the end of the lock landing out of the way.   999 again and they were here withing 5 minuts.  We were a stones throw from the Royal Berksire and at this time of the morning they were not busy.  Needless to say he was carted off again...any chest pains and it seems to be standard practice.

So this time he only spent the morning in A&E having blood tests and ECG`s  etc.   Result was yet again increased medication and he was home by 2pm.    So he has now sampled three different hospitals and is awaing an out patient at the second one.   We have no idea what will happen next!   Giles picked him up which was great and he rested for the day and then early Wednesday morning we tried again.

Made it through the lock this time!  then the long run through the environs of Reading. 
 We passed the tail end of the cleaning up after Reading Festival.

one lonely cow having a paddle

while his mates (or her mates) form a strange huddle

And so to Goring.   A pleasant run and although the mooring looked quite full as we approached, a narrow boat pulled away leaving us a vey convenient spot.   So kind.

Lovely family BBQ with Giles and Zan and family in the evening and today Zan and I enjoyed a leisurely lunch in the Coppa club at the Swan Hotel.  Time to catch up with all the doings with the 3 grandchildren whilst in delightful surroundings.

So another early start tomorrow, Thursday but the forecast is not brilliant and it could be that we get a little wet.

Goring

and so to Reading

 

Shiplake lockside

A pleasant few days at Henley.  Not the week we had originally planned as we are a little behind after Geoffs two sojourns in hospital!.   It was also mistimed as far as family were concerned as Giles departed for a swimming event in the Scillies!   We were moored just half a dozen boats up from his boat White Velvet.    However Boe is still around so on the Thursday she collected us and we met up with Giles and Susannah and managed to see the first stages of their house being built.

Lazy day on Friday and up early on Saturday to partake of an excellent and incredibly cheap breakfast in Wetherspoons!!  

We then set off for Sonning for the weekend as it had a pub and a church!

Watered above Shiplake lock and by a miracle we managed to get a full tank in just under an hour.  A decided improvement on our ast two attempts.

No trouble mooring at Sonning below the lock.   

Sunday morning we went to the local church and wonder of wonders we were allowed to sing.......such a treat.    A full church with a good sized choir including some of the younger generation.   Wonderful to see.

Anne and Keith arrived at noon and since the weather had decided to shape up a bit a very convivial afternoon was spent by the waterside, interspersed mid way with an excellent lunch at the Coppa Club just along the towpath.    Sorry Thames path........we are not back on the canals yet.

Monday was another early departure as I needed to be moored up ready at 10am to try and get tickets for the ABBA concert next year.   I had registered on Ticketmaster for the presale day, my first attempt at doing this.    It was eventually achieved with some difficulty, but not without a massive trauma on my part..  There had been various chopping and changing in the numbers that were going and I managed to get it wrong.   I booked 4 seats instead of the required 5.    It was finally resolved this evening by my son-in-law gallantly stepping down and we are back to an all girls outing.    Its not until next July so just have to hope we are all fit and well still.  

A day of contrasts.  Peaceful mornng departure from Sonning

A later walk into the Oracle Centre

The walk was to take my mind off the trauma of the tickets.  I decided I needed a change of scene and maybe a chocolate milkshake.    I was fresh out of luck as Macdonalds had no milk shakes......  however I managed to find an excellent one at another venue, albeit it at more than twice the price.

weekend in Windsor

 The plan was to have a rest day and carry on but after initially thinking we couldnt find a suitble mooring we found a space right on the end of the island which was ideal.    So good in fact that we decided to stay for the whole of the holiday weekend.   On the basis that it would be busy everywhere we would settle for out nice comfy spot!

Normally this area on Baths Island is a very popular picnic spot so we anticipated this would be heaving over the weekend.   However it seems picnickers are definitely fair weather people and since the weather, whilst not raining at least, was cloudy most of the time, we were left in relative peace.

Thursday we had visitors Mike and aso an old friend from RAF days whom we last saw about 40 years ago!!!   The sun was kind so we were able to eat outside but the clouds chased us back inside for our coffee.

Sunday Giles came to visit and provided lunch for us.....on the boat this time as too cold to sit out.  Hard to believe its still August.   He also took me shopping so we have a full fridge again.

Monday Emma and Kensa came out on the train and once again too cold to sit out.

Plenty of life on the river to keep us amused.

Every morning almost 100 swans would come upstream
 for their morning constitional

kk

First time we had seen this way of paddle boarding...they are peddling 

In addition there were plentiful little hire boats plying up and down including the bright yellow duck amphibians full of tourists.

Windsor town was relatively busy but nowhere near as busy as previous years and we noticed that the coach park was very empty.

Tuesday was definitely time to move on so we had a very early start so we could water before the next lock and we also needed fuel.   What a frustrating start to the day!  The water supply proved as bad as the last place due to these new taps.  After 1 and 3/4 of an hour we gave up before the tank was full.

Next stop was Windsor Marine for fuel.   Took Geoff a while to find someone who said he would be with us in 15 minutes.......after 40 minutes we left after I had spoken to Bray marine who confirmed there was someone there to serve us.  And this was after we had turned the boat so that we could reach the fuel tank!  

So much for the early start.  All the world was up now!

Lots of little day boats about now

So our projected day of 3 to 3 1/2 hours turned out to be 7 hours.

As expected Cookham was very full, but we just managed to squeeze into the last space as a friendly boat behind moved back slightly so we could fit in.

Lovely surprise later as Boe arrived about 4.30.   She had been warned that we planned to have an early start on Wednesday to get to Henley.  She planned for this and departed at 7.30 to find a cafe for breakfast before visiting a friend and using her house to teach her first online lesson at 9am!   What would we do without the internet?

Off at 7.30 and this time not such a frustrating day, in fact very pleasant.   We had company in the first two locks at Marlow and Temple which makes life a little easier as we were prior to the lock keepers duty time.

Cliveden up on the hill

...and so to Henley

Tehy are still packing away after the regatta but the crowds are all gone.   Moorings quite busy but we found a congenial spot just past Giles boat, White Velvet

White Velvet is the blue and white boat 

Another few days of R&R before we move on to Sonning on Saturday