About turn

Sailing on the Thames

Kingston Moorings

The stay in Kingston was ideal.   Great position for the trains, shops and walking for Barney.  Sadly 5 nights is the longest you can stay and then not return for 3 days.  However if we had had the time we could have gone back to Hampton court for three days and then returned......but even with the time I doubt I could have persuaded Geoffrey.   We have done well to get down this far against his better judgement.   Still he was heard to mutter the other day that the Thames wasn`t all that bad!!

I went up to London Tuesday returning Wednesday.  I used the station at Hampton Wick which is slightly closer that Kingston which was fine for me but would not be for Emma to visit as there is no lift and lots of stairs......once you have a baby in a buggy you realise how difficult life can be getting around.....it must be even worse for wheelchair users.

She made it out on Thursday (after the rain ceased) by using Kingston station and Dave joined us in the evening and we had a good meal (yet again)  at Cote.   We have never yet had a bad meal there.  

It has been lovely sitting on our mooring viewing all the night life on the other bank but being tucked away on the quiet side.

Thursday was our rainiest day so far this year and I had a very miserable shop.   Stupidly I decided to go to the big Sainsburys not realising how far it was....I kept thinking it was round the next corner.....

When I reached it eventually, somewhat wet, I discovered that you could call a taxi direct which I decided was a good plot for the return journey.   Accordingly I bought more than planned which filled my wheelie and an extra bag........

Sadly the taxi plan failed.  The resident one wouldn`t come out due to heavy traffic!!!!  Despite a very helpful lady in Customer Services who phoned several other firms I was unsuccessful so had a long trudge back with all my goodies in the pouring rain!!

The day ended well with the rain clearing and Emma`s visit.

Made it to Kingston

We have never seen another boat called Petroc on our travels,
but today we came close....

We have reached the furthest point on our travels for this year.....Kingston was our goal....well at least it was my goal...not sure it was Geoff's.....but he has been heard to mutter that the Thames is OK in places!!

Boats of all shapes and sizes today...

Must belong to a Beetles fan

We sometimes have to weave our way through the rowers

Anyone for a paddle

We passed the Fuel Barge Merchant today but he was out of fuel....he has promised to visit us tomorrow when he has stocked up.

There was plenty of room on the Barge Walk moorings, lots of grass for Barney and good walking.  The town is just across the river and two stations nearby, Kingston and Hampton Wick.  What more could we want.

The moorings are similar to the River Thames Moorings.  However where the River Thames Mooring are 1 night free and then £5 a night for up to two further nights, these are 1 night free and £8 a night for up to 5 nights.  Like Hampton Court these seem to be managed by a site called where2moor.co.uk and when you go online to book and pay it takes to to a site call Parkonomy.  So we have booked to stay until Friday as I am off to Emma`s again tomorrow and will stay the night and return on Thursday.

Total distance:2.26 miles Elapsed time:0h50m44s Locks:0 Bridges:0 
Average speed:2.67 mph (2.67 lock/mph) 

I hate computers

I sometimes wonder if it would have been better to have set sail in Petroc minus TV and computer!

Just over a week ago my computer decided to misbehave.  The short story is that it has involved 2 refreshes of the whole windows system (the first one didn`t work properly!) guided on the lengthy phone calls to PC World help desk.  I have always paid a monthly fee against my better judgement for this service......

This procedure wipes out all your programs BUT not all your data.  However putting all my programs back and more to the point getting them working is a task which is not for the faint hearted.

I am slowly getting there with the help of various other phone calls and with the help of my computer Guru, John (NB Epiphany)

Unfortunately the one that is defeating me at the moment is Microsoft Money which I have used for our personal finances for over 10 years and has a huge history.  I have managed to get the program back on successfully but it wont restore my data.   No chance of any help here as the program was discontinued in 2009 and support withdrawn in 2011.  I would happily go to a new program but that still loses all my historical data.  GrrrrrrrrH!!!

However life has not been all bad as I have had several visits to my grand daughter.  We continue to station hop to enable visits to be made.  After leaving Staines we had 3 nights at Shepperton lock which is close to Weybridge and 3 nights at the end of Desborough Island which is close to Walton on Thames.   Close to these places but not within my walking distance so taxi rides were called for.

Thankfully the heat has finally left us and we have had some good downpours of rain.  During that debilitating heat I did promise never to complain about the rain again........I must remember.   We moored here at Hampton Court in less than ideal conditions.   However thankfully the really heavy stuff saved itself for later.

Later on we were collected by friends Gavin & Celia and whisked off to their place for supper and in my case for a lovely long soak in their bath with a glass of Prosecco at my side.  All much appreciated after yet another afternoon wrestling with my computer.

Yesterday (Saturday) we had a visit from Kensa,
Dave and Emma and Kensa`s Granny Pat

We had an enjoyable few hours sitting on the terrace of the Mitre Hotel right by the river, followed by Kensa`s first visit to Petroc.  Barney showed very little interest in her, although he did manage a small welcoming lick eventually.

So here we are moored right outside Hampton Court Palace.  If we want to go in and visit it will cost us a cool £20 and that is  for old codgers........not sure I will bother, but Geoff is muttering that he might.

Total distance:5.43 miles Elapsed time:2h34m0s
Locks:2 Bridges:4 
Average speed:2.11 mph (2.89 lock/mph) 

To hot to even write my blog!!

So a long weekend in Windsor provided the only rain we have seen for weeks. 

Mike and Mary came as arranged on Sunday morning and I joined them for Morning Service in St Georges Chapel.  Geoff elected to go to a nearby church for Holy Communion.   All met for lunch in a much better pub than last year.  The Royal Windsor is just by the Windsor Riverside station and would definitely return there.

Sunday was a day of rain so it was out with umbrellas and macs...what a change.  

Bridge across to Eton...wet roads...haven`t seen that for a while.

Monday saw me on the train to Emmas for more cuddles with the new one.

Tuesday was travelling day and a rather glowery start to the day

also somewhat breezy but not as bad as the last trip.

Good view through the trees of the castle as we went down the river.

 We weren`t sure what we would find mooring wise in Staines which was the possible destination.

But chatting with a fellow boater in the locks led us to a rather pleasant spot by Lammas park.  Sadly no shade for Petroc but trees for us to linger beneath and have we needed them....it is unbearably hot and impossible to do anything except very early in the morning.  Luckily there is a nice walk nearby for Barney around some lakes which is largely in the shade during the morning.

Wednesday saw me in London again.  The station is a good 20/25 minute walk so that ensures my exercise for the day.  However before leaving on Wednesday morning as I sat having my breakfast I suddenly saw a pool of water under the front step.   We already have a leak in the shower so have to keep turning the water off when not necessary....now what.?  When Geoff investigated he discovered our water pump was leaking.....AAAHHH!!!   The good news was that we have a replacement on board.  A good few years ago Geoff had successfully changed the pump........quite a feat for someone who if not DIY minded at all.   It looked as though his skills were to be called upon again.   I did offer not to go to London but thankfully my offer was refused.   Poor Geoff spent the best part of the day in the heat to-ing and fro-ing to Halfords to get various bits and eventually he had success.  I was told the job was accompanied by a lot of swearing, sore fingers and one pair of broken glasses....what a good job I was away.

Instead of my going to London on Friday Geoff decided that he ought to pay his new grand daughter a visit so he braved the heat and British Rail.   In fact, the trains from here are new trains and all air conditioned.  Provided you travel outside rush hour it is OK.

Geoff's tummy makes a good pillow

Tomorrow is moving on time.......with the goal of Kingston about next weekend.....the trick is to find some moorings in the shade which may prove difficult.  The hot weather is die to last until next Wednesday at least....roll on Autumn....

A very early start is planned to beat the heat.

Total distance:7.52 miles Elapsed time:2h54m5s
Locks:3 Bridges:7 
Average speed:2.59 mph (3.63 lock/mph) 

Windy trip to Windsor

Some rain overnight and until about 6.30 or so but dry by the time we set off for Windsor.   In some ways we were sorry to leave as it had been an ideal mooring........but all good things come to an end...
The rain had certainly cleared the air and it was a much more acceptable temperature.  However what it had left behind was a pretty stiff breeze........so much so that extra layers of clothes were required...Hooray!!!!

This is but one example of the lovely houses lining the river on this stretch

The breeze certainly made the trip interesting in places.  We needed to water etc at Boveney Lock and inconveniently the watering point is a 180 degree turn as you come out of the lock back towards the weir.   Not difficult normally but challenging in a strong blustery wind as you come alongside.   Luckily there was no one there so we didn't have to hang around.  Then to empty the loo it is back on the other side on the approach to the lock...another interesting mooring exercise

However all achieved without mishap although I do prefer a quieter life!

That was the last lock before Windsor and so we now began to wonder what space would be available.

Our luck was in and there was a space more than big enough for us on the island and whats more it was in the shade and in a nice secluded spot.  So, once the washing was put out, it was chairs and table on the shore and settling down for the quiet life............except I had itchy feet after lunch and decided to have a wander up to the town.   Over lunch we had a phone call from friends Mike and Mary to see if we were free for a meet up for lunch tomorrow, so that gave me incentive to go on a recce for a good place to eat.   Mike had met us here last year so I looked up on my blog to see where we had eaten and discovered that it was the Watermans Arms on the Eton side of the river and that we had not though much of the lunch there.....so somewhere new had to be found.

The town was just a seething mass of tourists and in parts just walking on the pavement was almost impossible.   I looked inside several likely looking places but were hot and noisy and not what I was looking for.   I decided I would have go across the bridge and try the Eton side but luckily just before the bridge I found a more promising looking place so fingers crossed.........

Total distance:9.32 miles Elapsed time:4h12m52s
Locks:4Bridges:6 
Average speed:2.21 mph (3.16 lock/mph) 

Hot, hot, hot at Cookham

A great mooring place in the intense heat we have been having.   As we were able to move back a bit after the first night, Petroc was mostly in the shade.  We spent most of our days sitting under the numerous trees on the shore. We did have to venture out but tried to restrict it to early morning or later in the afternoon.  Barney was not that keen on the heat so he and Geoff did the walk to the shop in the morning for the paper and any other essentials.  Cookham seems to be a lovely village full of pubs and speciality shops but if you take a slightly longer  walk towards the station there is a store.

We must have the only non swimming Labrador.....this is as deep as he will go!

On Thursday we had Anne & Keith to visit and they joined us in keeping out of the heat.  They did kindly take me to do a shop at a nearby Tescos which was necessary but could have done done without it in this weather.  I needed provisions as we were due to be joined by Giles and tribe for the run down to Windsor on Friday.  However events overtook us.  The forecast said Friday was going to be hotter than Thursday and then Giles household had a sad day as the vet had to come to put a much beloved Parga to his final sleep.

We also visited the Ferryman pub in the evening which is the closest to the moorings and the only one of the village pubs to have riverside seating.   It was still very warm outside so we elected to sit upstairs in the air conditioning.  A good meal so can recommend.

So we stayed put for Friday.   Forecast is for rain...Hooray!!!!   We did have a little apology for a thunderstorm later in the afternoon and some rain....but it didn't try very hard.

During the afternoon we had EA officials visiting the moorings handing out an information sheet on water levels etc.   They obviously had the big boss (4 stripes) with them as they were all very smartly dressed in uniform and obligatory life jackets.  We had a long chat with the deputy....only 2 stripes....

Onward to Windsor tomorrow

Early departure from Henley for ???

Another marathon journey for me down to see the latest addition to the clan.   The journey is potentially OK from Henley but could be better.  Henley is on a branch line so you have to change at Twyford to get anywhere.  That then took me through to Clapham Junction, but then I was met with the notices saying that due to engineering works the District and Circle lines were not running....should have checked.   Ended up with a 3 hr 20 min journey instead of 2.5 hours....

Still it was worth it.  

Early Riser over Henley

These swans have a family of 12 so told Emma she was lucky to only have one to feed

 Early departure from Henley on Monday morning. once again to beat the heat.  We weren`t certain where we would reach, one of those `off the cuff ` days

Good bye Henley, see you on the way back.

One of these would suit me nicely!

Further down river we passed Danesfield House

In another life (approx 36 years ago!) the sailing club at the bottom was where we launched our 12 foot catamaran that Geoff (aided and abetted by friend Crint) built.

Mr Whippy anyone??

There was mooring space at Marlow above the lock but no shade so we gave it the big swerve

Had a look at the visitor mooring below the lock but still not much shade so decided to press on to Cookhan where we remembered nice moorings and shade......

These dogs have the right idea, sadly we cannot persuade Barney to go into the river

when we rounded the corner and saw the Cookham moorings it looked as though we would be unlucky.   However there was just one space at the end.  Sadly not yet in the shade but the big trees showed promise later on.

Lots of space to sit out under the trees.   Today the two boats behind departed so we have moved back to almost complete shade, and here we stay for a few days, it is just too hot to go anywhere or do anything much.  Its £6 a night but well worth it.

Total distance:11.61 miles Elapsed time:3h59m36s Locks:4 Bridges:5 
Average speed:2.91 mph (3.91 lock/mph) 

Henley and a few drops of rain!

We crept out of Sonning at 7am, no one else on the move.

Sonning Lock was busy yesterday.
It has a profusion of flowers and exudes a great air of friendliness.

It even has a coffee shop which we didnt take advantage of.   The towpath here is also busy with walkers.

Shortly after the lock on the right hand bank we saw that there was now a long stretch of Thames Visitors Moorings as are the moorings above the lock.  1 day free and up to two more days at £5 a night.  We are pretty certain that when we came through here last year there moorings had big NO MOORING signs up.   This morning they were full.

Stopped to water etc above Shiplake lock.. As we finished and pulled away for the lock a cruiser went just ahead of us.   We locked down together and since he had been ahead and was likely to go faster than us we let him go out first.  What a mistake.  He proceeded to go all the way to Henley at snails pace, slower than canal pace!  No point in overtaking him as courtesy would demand that we wait for him at the next lock.......

We took the first mooring space we say at Henley which was right at the far end of the moorings.

Probably a good job as when we walked down to the town later there were no spaces.   It is the Thames Historic Boat Rally this weekend which nearly put us off coming but there is no sign of it down this end.

A pretty little steam launch chugged by at quite a rate

This afternoon I took myself off to the cinema to see the new MamaMia film, very good it was too.  That`s two days on the trot for singing and dancing and pretty costumes. 

Whilst I was out Geoff reported that there had been a brief shower.......not much to write home about but enough for him to rush to get the washing in, only to have it stop as soon as he had done so.  

Skies looking ominous tonight but no further rain as yet.

We shall stay here for the weekend then continue further downstream to who knows where.

Total distance:5.72 miles Elapsed time:2h50m35s Locks:3 Bridges:2 
Average speed:2.01 mph (3.07 lock/mph) 

Swan Upping at Reading

Swan Upping

We watched the swan upper boats gathering together.  Getting close to a swan is not enticing as Geoff will attest to.  One poked its head through our swan doors yesterday and bit his finger!   Is that why we call them swan doors I wonder.

Thursday we carried on down to Sonning and moored just above the lock.

en route we passed a load of children learning to paddle a dragon boat.

There were a crowd on the shore awaiting their turn
What great fun for them all

I was collected later by Giles to go and see a performance that Finley (9) was in.  What a fantastic show.  I had visions of an amateur production and nothing could have been further from the truth.  It was held in the theatre in Didcot and was a fantastic performance and extremely professional.

We did manage to spot Fin in his two scenes.  The costumes and the choreography were wonderful and I thoroughly enjoyed it.   Later Giles dropped me back at Petroc which involved a short walk down the towpath in the dark.. Luckily he walked down with me and saw me safely on the boat.  Geoff had obligingly left the front flap of the cratch up but no lights on and both he and Barney were fast asleep and neither would have known if I hadn`t made it back safely or not!!

Total distance:2.60 miles Elapsed time:0h55m23s
Locks:1Bridges:1 
Average speed:2.82 mph (3.90 lock/mph) 

Onward to Henley tomorrow for the weekend.

Reading after a hectic few days to herald a new arrival

It was difficult to prise Geoff away from our lovely shaded mooring at Wallingford but I returned from London on Thursday evening leaving Emma in hospital awaiting imminent birth..or so we thought.  I took me 3 hours to get back by train and bus, as Wallingford inconveniently does not have a railway station.  I needed to be closer to return on Saturday so Goring was the destination.

This worked well as we arrived at Goring mid morning and had a choice of places.. Later on it was all full.

Moorings are nicely in the shade in the mornings

I departed after lunch (and after our Saturday cooked breakfast at the Chocolate Cafe!!)

Kensa Ava weighing 7lb 7oz was eventually born at 8.25 on Sunday evening.  Boe and I treated ourselves to a night in a hotel to recover from our ordeal.........and preparatory to going to the hospital to take it in turns to be with Emma until Dave`s arrival somewhat later in the day.  

We didn`t even have to miss the tennis at Wimbledon......unlike a few years ago when you couldn`t switch your phone on......nowadays anything goes.   Good wifi, so with ipads at the ready Wimbledon was on as we lent encouragement to Emma.

Meanwhile back at the ranch......

Geoff has been well looked after as he was collected by Giles for a BBQ on Saturday and collected again on the Sunday for leftovers and football.  On Monday he had a go at washing the roof.  With all this dry weather it is just full of dust.

I returned later on Monday, ready for departure on Tuesday.   The moorings are free for 1 day and then £5 a night but maximum 3 nights.

Once again difficult to persuade Geoff to move.......but Goring still takes at least 1.5 hours to Emmas. 

Off reasonably early for the short trip to Pangbourne.   Our timing was good again as we found a mooring easily but in a couple of hours it was full.

We have seen a variety of animals carried on boats but Chickens!!!
Those orange crates on the top were full of them.

Moving again today.  The aim was Henley for the weekend but have just seen that it is the Thames Historic Boats gathering so may have to have a rethink.

In the meantime we have moored in Reading so Geoff can have a wander up to town and get his urban fix.

A while ago a big grass cutting machine came by...  The grass, if it can be called that, alongside Petroc was not very long but he went all down the side and we are now covered in dust!!!

No shade, but thankfully today, as was yesterday, is a bit cooler and there is plenty of cloud around.

However it is forecast to heat up again tomorrow.

Total distance:6.18 miles Elapsed time:2h9m9s
Locks:1Bridges:1 
Average speed:2.87 mph (3.33 lock/mph) 

No room at Wallingford

Abingdon continued to try and melt us away......I managed a session in the pool again on Saturday but was unlucky on Sunday.   I went online too late and it was all booked up.  Saturday evening we had a lovely respite as friend Dick and Jackie cam to pick us up and take us to their house for a BBQ.  It was great to catch up and also to sit in their cool east facing garden.

Sunday I spent most of the day under the nearby trees.  Geoff made it to church but I couldn`t even face the walk there.

So Monday was yet another early start for a very
pleasant run down the river to Wallingford.  

En route we could only ogle all the lovely house which are way out of our price band......

At Benson lock Geoff had a very interesting conversation with a lady who was on a small plastic boat.  She informed him, for no apparent reason, that all people on narrowboaters were arrogant and that they should stay on the canals where they belonged!   This seemed somewhat harsh as we had squeezed up so that a bigger plastic boat could just get himself in.   Ah well...guess it takes all sorts......

On reaching Wallingford we were initially disappointed.  My hopes of mooring by the swimming pool faded rapidly when we saw that the whole place was full.  We tried a bit further downstream but any little holes were already taken.   However a swift about turn and not too far upstream we found a suitable spot under the trees.  It is actually much better than the moorings as it is in the shade mostly and whats more it is free!!  The moorings have gone up to £7 a night.  We have also heard that the mooring outside Tescos in Reading are now being charged at £9.50 per day even if you only stop to shop.......

mostly in the shade this will do for a few days.

We are close to the tow path and it is not far into town.   In fact if it were not for positioning ourselves by a station ready for the birth of the LoveGomm offspring we would probably stay here a bit longer.  D day is only 5 days away!!

TV reception good so after shopping and dog walking on Tuesday we were able to watch the RAF 100 celebrations.    This was a bonus on top of Wimbledon......I wont even mention the football......in which I have zero interest.

Later we were invaded by the grandchildren which was lovely.   Giles and Finley immediately stripped off and were in the river.   We obviously haven`t a lot of water under Petroc as Finley who is 9 could stand up alongside!  Oscar at 7 is not as keen on the water but spent his time climbing over and around the boat........I have forgotten how lively boys are at that age.   Giles reminded me that Finley is the age he was when we spent 3 years living on our catamaran.  Both he and Emma were the same and he used to shin up the mast with no problem amongst other things....how the memory fades.....

THIS IS MY SECOND ATTEMPT AT DOING THIS EDITION OF MY BLOG.   

In my attempt to feed into my facebook I somehow managed to lose the whole thing late last night.  My original method was via networked blogs.  However that has been discontinued and the replacement SYMPHONY is a paying service.  So I am now frustrated and I cant seem to find a simple way of linking the two.....

Total distance:13.13miles Elapsed time:4h13m59s Locks:4 Bridges:10
Average speed:3.22 mph (4.31 lock/mph)