24 July 2011 - Reading to Wallingford

1st Reading Sea Scout HQ....
Hmmmm mental note to introduce ourselves

Yesterday would have gone a little better if I hadnt left my wallet in the car at the marina.  The thought of leaving it there for a month did not appeal.  Last night we phoned friends Joe & Sarah at the marina and they walked over to the car and reported they could see it on the dash!  On their way home the crew took my key and liberated the wallet from the car and gave it to Joe and he and Sarah drove over to Reading with it this morning.  We were very grateful and provided a bacon butty breakfast to say thanks.  A good chat did nothing for our hoped-for early staret and it was again midday before we were off. From behind the gaol you turn left onto the main river, negotiate Blakes Lock and in 10 minutes you are at the Thames.  A careful left turn across the traffic and we were on our way!  The first lock is Caversham lock where we bought out Thames licence (2 days!  we would have to push on to get to Oxford and off the Thames in 2 days).

We hadnt gone much further when we spotted a chap helming solo with his narrowboat firmly aground near the bank.  He was attempting (clearly unsuccessfully) to pole his way off.  In a moment of madness we shouted to see if he would like a tow.  Nearly bit our arm off!  Yes please, that would be very helpful!  A swift 360 degree turn in the middle of a busy river saw us alongside him.  Thanks for that he says, but you would be better facing the other way!  Ho hum.... another swift 360 turn (fortunately nothing coming) and he was able to throw us a line.  We managed to pull him sideways off the bank and re float him.... just as 3 or 4 other boats came around the corner to find two huge narrowboats completely blocking the River Thames!  With a swift thanks and hardly time to say goodbye he shot off towards London, whilst we turned, apologising to all the boats who had had to take evasive action and resumed our journey.  It was a good result, but delayed us yet another 30 minutes.

Continuous motoring saw us pop out from under Wallingford bridge on the dot of 7pm, just as my sister Chris and husband James arrived at the pub alongside to meet us as planned.  It only took 20 minutes to moor up, put the boat to bed and walk back to the pub for tea.