Blissfu temperature today

After yesterdays temperature rendering us all quite lifeless, today has been such a welcome change.

All we could do was sit in the shade.

A wet towel draped over the legs was a great comfort!!

We did try a wet towel over Barney but he didn't seem to appreciate it.    I so longed to have a swim in the river as lots of other people were doing, including Boe, but I knew there was no way I could get out again.   We do have a plastic boarding ladder but don't think I could manage it...….
Instead I had to resort every couple of hours to a cold shower.

This is Boe trying to get friendly with the Canada Geese.....

.she almost had her nose pecked off 

Today the plan was an early start for all.  Boe off to Exeter where she is relocating, and after 10 days in Henley we were off to Marlow.   Timing was critical as the moorings fill up pretty quickly at the weekend especially.

en route we passed Medmenham and the sailing club 

where 34 years ago Geoff launched the Wharram Catamaran 

that he built with the aid of friend Jim Crint.

The chimneys of Danesfield House in the background.  Once the Officers Mess 

when RAF Signals Command was at Medmenham

Mr Whippy on Water??

We stopped to water at Hurley Lock and reached Marlow at an optimum time 10.30am

Not just coffee time but plenty of space to choose from.    A very different story 2 hours later.

The moorings are by Higginson Park and a bit too public for my liking but Geoff likes to wave merrily to all the curious faces that come a bit too close to the side hatch!!

So here we stay for the weekend.

Total distance:8.08 miles 

Elapsed time:3h30m0s

 Locks:3 Bridges:4
Average speed:2.31 mph (3.17 lock/mph)

still lingering in Henley

I returned from Granny duties on Saturday and the intention was to move on Tuesday but the forecast for a mini heatwave changed our minds!

We had a shady spot with plenty of trees on our adjacent shore so we decided to savour the delights of the riverbank at Henley a while longer.

No need to become bored as there is plenty to see......

 

Variation of a mobile home

Club to Pub 1.5KM swim

This was but a fraction of the number of swimmers.  

Various group all with different coloured swimming hats.

Amphibian Cars

Various trip boats plying up and down

The biggest duck of all

In addition to all this we have had various visitors and have spent several hours watching the world go by.

One more day tomorrow as the forecast is to be hotter than ever!!  The plan then is a very early start on Friday, when it is forecast to become cooler.

Henley via Reading and Sonning

The old man of the sea!

Goodbye Reading and the many (too many) Canada geese at the mooring.

Morning above Sonning lock

We had a quiet night moored above the lock at Sonning and today Tuesday we were joined by Giles and his Father-in-law Dennis for the trip to Henley.  Slightly colder start than of late but by did it make up for it later.

Just after the lock at Sonning you can catch a glimpse of the weir through the trees.

 We used the sani station just  before Shiplake lock and then had a short wait for our turn

Some of these cruisers are very high beasts and I wonder what it must be like to steer from such an elevated position

Giles had not done this stretch on the water before so we had to go reasonably slowly on the next stretch to Henley as he wanted to get a good look at the back of all the large houses that he frequently passes on the road side.  (He is an architect after all)

Finally Marsh Lock and the next question was would there be space at Henley...…...well we were lucky but only just.    The moorings are very busy and there were very few places.   We eventually managed to manoeuvre ourselves into a reasonably shady spot but with only the bow in.

A pleasant lunch time with Denis and Giles in the shade of the trees on the shore.   We were joined by George and Raquel two of Giles employees (he has an office in Henley) and also by Archie, Raquel`s 2 year old Jack Russell cross.   Barney was not overly impressed and kept his distance.  

So Henley for the week and tomorrow I am off for my granny duties for a couple of days leaving Geoff in peace!

Layover in Goring

After a very peaceful couple of days on our quiet mooring which I think is called Runsford Hole, we moved down to Goring as I was required for Baby sitting duties on Saturday night.   En route we filled up with water at Cleeve lock.  We timed our arrival well at Goring just arriving after 10am.  We had a reasonable amount of space to choose from.  Mooring fees are the same as last year, one night free and £5 for up to 2 more nights.  However the company who used to administer collection, which you could do on the phone or on line, has apparently been kicked into touch and is now controlled by the duty lock keeper.  

Thursday evening we had  a last minute invitation from son Giles to go for a meal at Masooms the Indian Restaurant.  The reason for it being last minute are far to complicated to explain but it was very welcome and I set aside the supper I| had prepared for the next day!

The moorings filled up soon after we arrived and stayed busy throughout our stay.  

Some lovely house in this part of the world, most of which we could not afford!!

This one is just below the lock at Goring

The tennis at Wimbledon is still on during this week much to Geoff`s dismay!   It is the only time I get priority on the TV.   My collection for baby sitting duties had to be tied in with the Ladies Singles finals.  What a fantastic match.

I departed Giles early on the Sunday morning as we wanted to get down to Reading reasonably early.

We don`t normally travel on a Sunday so were surprised that despite the early hour we had plenty of company in the locks.  This worked in our favour at Mapledurham lock as not only was it on Self Service but the electricity had failed so it was all manually operated.  With 4 boats in the lock there were plenty of helpers.  Geoff did his bit but actually got away quite lightly as there were some rather keen people around!

Good run all the way to Reading where we stopped at Caversham Boat Services to refuel and buy gas.

Any letters to post

We moved round the corner to moor on the Caversham Meadows moorings which does not promise to be a peaceful mooring as it turns out there is the Readipop Festival just across the field.   The noise is quite loud as it seems to be reverberating off the tall buildings on the other side of the river.  I would imagine it will go on quite late.  C`est la vie.

Men's Finals this afternoon which was a nail biting match...…..Geoff is relieved that it is all over for another year and he now has control of his TV again.

Total distance:10.31 miles 

Elapsed time:3h13m19s 

Locks:2 

Bridges:3
Average speed:3.20 mph (3.82 lock/mph)

sojourn in Wallingford.

We had a very early start from Abingdon (0710!!!) as we wanted to have the best chance of a mooring at Wallingford.

Great stay at Abingdon...see you on the return journey

Waiting patiently at Culham Lock.  There is a notice which says it takes 20  minutes to fill!

lovely day for the run southwards.

The Poppies are faring better than Geoff`s Tomatoes!

One has already bitten the dust...might be due to lack of watering.!

Our early morning start paid dividends as we had the pick of places when we arrived

However it soon filled up

The mooring price has risen here from £7 last year to £10 this year.   The result of this is that there are quite a few very early departures before Angie the warden comes around!   Not us I hasten to add!!

I left Geoff happily there whilst I slid off to London for Grannie time.   Returning on Saturday we had another visit from Boe for the night.   Its lovely being closer to all the family, we see so much more of them.

Lots of tennis to watch at the moment....the only sport I really watch!!!

On Monday Bob and Rosie Hall came to visit.   Geoff and I walked to Benson to the café there and met them and had a very good lunch.   Geoff and Bob walked back with Barney but I took a lift with Rosi....much better option!

Swans and 6 cygnets look lovely but are lethal if one is trying to have breakfast sitting on the side in the cratch!!

Several of these pretty motor launches around

St Peters Church (deconsecrated) and Wallingford Bridge

Earlyish start today Tuesday (we had paid) 

The destination was the lonely mooring about 1/2 a mile above Cleeve Lock.   Unfortunately it was occupied, but after consideration we decided there was just room......managed to get the bow in which is the important end for Barney!!!

The Thames path goes right alongside and there is a great big field for Barney

The plan is to have a couple of quiet days here before moving on to Goring on Thursday.

Total distance:4.68 miles 

Elapsed time:1h9m35s

 Locks:0 

Bridges:3
Average speed:4.03 mph (4.03 lock/mph)

Visitors galore at Abingdon.

Gardener of the Year watering his tomatoes.

Since that picture was taken he has treated himself to a baby (as in small!) watering can...….

A great weekend with lots of visitors.   Friday Hugh and Ann arrived and we went to the Nags Head for lunch.  Friday afternoon Gill Smith and Doreen dropped in for a cup of tea...extremely welcome visitors as they came bearing gifts...….CAKE.   Not to mention the bottle of prosecco......

Saturday Dick and Jackie Gould  arrived for a planned picnic.   Saturday was incredibly hot so we were forced to retreat into the shade of the nearby trees.  They came bearing a cool box full of goodies....the odd G&T may have been consumed.....

Later in the afternoon I was collected by Giles.  He had booked to take all 3 of the grand children to a water assault course.  The idea was that I could sit in the cafe and observe.  I did put my costume in hoping that I might just be able to go in the water for a swim.   Sadly that was not allowed….it was assault course or nothing.  Ella had decided at the last minute not to come so there was a spare ticket......would I like to use it????   I was not brave enough.   I would probably have drowned.

However when I saw what it was like I think I may have missed out......I think I could just have lingered at the beginning getting cool in the water.

Later Saturday evening the wind changed direction by 180 degrees  and Sunday dawned much colder.

This did not deter Giles and tribe from coming for another picnic

Some of the crew were very brave

Boe was busy with her wild life photos, in fact several of the photos above are courtesy of Boe.

About half an hour after their departure Gill and Doreen arrived for another cuppa, and the odd glass of prosecco.

Today, Monday has been very quiet!!

Au Revoir Oxford Canal and on to Abingdon

A final note on the Oxford.  We have been pleasantly surprised by the state of the towpaths this year.  Last year parts were in a terrible state and it was sometimes like fighting ones way through an African jungle.   Not so this year, almost all in good condition apart perhaps from a few places right down at the bottom on the approaches into Oxford.   One 48 hour designated mooring place had nettles about 3 feet high along its length.

and so to the Thames

Down the last lock on the canal, sharp right turn and through the narrow passage

to join the Thames.    This bridge looks low but in fact we had plenty of room

Osney bridge is next which is even lower but no problem today.  Despite the amount of rain we have had recently the Thames does not seem to be higher than normal.

Plenty of room on the East Street moorings above Osney Lock

These moorings are free for 24 hours and you can have a further 2 days at £5 a night.  We elected for one extra as Geoff needed to go into town....new shoes needed....another paid had bitten the dust after his dunking!

Didn't budge as we went past!

I was advised (informed) that we needed an early start on Wednesday...…...this was not really pleasing as I have got to like slighter longer lie-ins.
However being ever the obedient crew I was up and ready to at at 7.30.  I should add that the weather for our last two days had been dreary dull and cold and this morning was no exception and I started out with 3 layers on!

As it was so early there were no lock keepers around but Geoff maintained that it was more fun to do them himself...   he wouldn`t say that if the electricity failed, as it does from time to time, and he had to hand wind them.

As it was all was well and the weather improved and the sun came out and layers got stripped off.

We reached Abingdon in time for coffee and the moorings above the lock were free so we had our pick of places.   We have never moored above the lock before but it was really quite congenial.
We would have been tempted to remain there for a couple more nights but several visitors were expected whilst we were in Abingdon and access is much easier for them if we are down on the meadow below the lock.

A recce down below showed that there was plenty of space which surprised us.   But it is in keeping with how quiet we have found it all the way down the Oxford.  Chatting to one of the lock keepers here he said movements were down about a third on the same time last year...where has everyone gone?

We saw Still Rockin was moored above the weir but no one on board to say hello to.

Fleeting visit from Giles tonight who was out  for a spin on his motor bike...….dreaded thing.....think it must be his mid-life crisis or something

Total distance:8.50 miles Elapsed time:2h39m38s

 Locks:3 Bridges:8
Average speed:3.20 mph (4.32 lock/mph)

Dont be ridiculous...of course I won`t fall in!!

An accident waiting to happen!

The day started well (and relatively early) as we had decided to take the scenic route down through the last lock of the Oxford onto the Thames ……..

…….and all the way round  the back of Port Meadow......

…..where canada geese out in force

.... to Dukes cut and thence back to the sani station a couple of bridges before Aristotle.   It had been a few years since we had been on this stretch of water so it had to be tried again.  We timed it well at Godstow Lock as the lock keeper was just coming on duty but Kings Lock was on Self service so Geoff had his first exercise for the day.

A sharp turn after exiting Kings Lock and our wide open vista as we came along the Thames changed rapidly into a sombre and somewhat gloomy passage up to Dukes Cut Lock.   I had forgotten how drear this stretch was.

Another right turn after this put us back on the Oxford.  We were held up for a while by dredging operations but eventually moored at our goal just before bridge 239A.    The purpose of this was not only to Water and empty the loo but also to try and clean off all the mess we had acquired whilst moored down in Jericho.  Geoff had made the mistake of mooring under a cherry tree which was bad enough but all that lovely birdsong we had been listening to had not been very friendly!   The roof and both sides were covered.

Hence the picture above.    I was told to go up to Summertown and do the shopping as he (Geoff ) was quite capable of washing the offside of Petroc unsupervised and no of course he would not fall in........famous last words.

Even if he had not confessed on my return the change of clothes would have been a bit of a giveaway!

Wildlife in Oxford

Whilst I was granny sitting Geoff moved from Aristotle Bridge down to the end of the canal.  

This was however after he had an evening with Maffi and Susan..........who just appeared at Aristotle Bridge.   I gather it was a good evening and Geoff was up way past his bedtime!

I arrived back on Saturday to find Boe had already arrived and was busy trying to buy up all of Oxford.   I think this was her first visit to Oxford and she was quite impressed.  Later in the afternoon she and I took Barney across the meadow for his afternoon walk which was full of tourists enjoying the sunshine but also full of cows....very benign cows luckily.   Boe appeared enchanted by the cows and took many photographs!!

One of Boe`s pictures

Its Cygnet time of year...another of her pictures.

Geoff and I tried a new church this time.  We went to Sung Eucharist at St Frideswide`s.  Smallish congregation but highish Anglican.......just a pity they didn`t choose better hymns!!  We wee most impressed by one gentleman who was there on his own with his 3 children.....twins of 6 months and a toddler of about 3.  They all sat in the children`s space and we hardly heard a peep.

We would have liked to follow this with a walk over  Port Meadow to the Perch for Sunday lunch but were not enamoured of their price for this   £17.95....you can tell we are in the Thames Valley!   Instead we decided to treat ourselves to all sorts of M&S snack goodies and we took a picnic to the meadow instead.   

Onward tomorrow but not sure how far yet......we will see what the weather brings

A more pleasant trip to Oxford than anticipated.

The lady forecaster was full of doom and gloom about heavy rain and thunderstorms when we watched last night so we decided on an early start to try and get to Oxford before the worst.

In the event out 7.30 start gave us an extremely pleasant and dry run almost all the way to Oxford, we even had some brief showing of a watery sun.    We just caught a light rain shower towards the end and we would not even have done that if we hadn't been held up by a small incident.

After Dukes Cut we encountered our first signs of the dredging that we had been told to expect between Enslow and Oxford.   The work is not a problem as we could easily get by.

But then we caught up with a dredger going into the lock, and another coming up

This was not a great delay and the weather was still good 

However a bit further on we found a hire boat with problems, think he had hit something and done some damage.   The dredger driver decided to stop and help.   No one was going anywhere!

When the dredger driver gave up he then proceeded to meet his mate ahead and swap containers.....

Eventually everything was cleared and we were on our way again.

Nothing like two old men and a dog passing the time of day!

The promised heavy rain still has not arrived so we await with bated breath.    Moored at Aristotle Bridge from where I shall be collected by Emma and Dave for this weeks granny duties.

Lingering at Thrupp

Geoffrey's venture into tomato growing is not looking good.

I am not sure what brought on this latent desire of Geoffs to try and grow tomatoes on the top of the boat.  I am also not sure what he plans to do about the broken plant...…….my little plant that I was allowed to have in the spare hole in the grow bag is doing well.....

Thrupp is as delightful as ever.   Initially when we arrived it was very quiet but there has been more company over the weekend.   The 7 day moorings have been full most night although not all.  The buses run every hour into Oxford via Kidlington so we are not too remote.

The major event here was the demise of our TV!!   I thought Geoff would go into a non returnable decline.   However when we though the whole thing through it was remarkably easy to solve.   A new one with a slightly larger screen was ordered from Amazon Prime and delivered to Giles and Zan the next day.   

Since the next day was Fathers Day it worked perfectly as they all came to lunch.   Good lunch at the Jolly Boatman followed by ice cream for the kids from Annies Café and the unloading of the TV.

That should have been the culmination of a happy day but it was not to be...…...TV worked fine but Geoff was unable to get the set top recording box to work through it.  There followed a couple of hours of gnashing of teeth and wailing from Geoff whilst I hid myself in the back of the boat.    

I did venture forth eventually to offer my assistance but no joy.   Eventually all came good when he used his screw driver to tighten one of the connections at the back!!!!!!  Simple as that.... My relief was profound!!

Onward we go tomorrow towards Oxford.

On the move again

Holiday away from the canals

So Petroc is on the move again...….I have had a wonderful week in the sunshine in a villa in Turkey with one side of the family and Geoff has had a restful time with Barney moored at Lower Heyford.

The picture above is our infinity pool in the villa..

.…..and now I have come back to this

Sitting in the shelter on Heyford station as it was the only place to get a signal!!!

Yesterday we took advantage of the slight break in the weather to move down to Thrupp.    Even allowing for the weather we are amazed at how quiet it is on the canal.   We passed very few boats and had no difficulty in getting a good mooring at Thrupp.   Here we shall stay through the weekend.

…..and still the rain keeps coming...…….