9th August - Bablock Hythe to Rushey Lock

Lady had a bad night.  Got up to go to the loo at 3am and fell in getting back on. (Lady not me!)
Set off at 10am and it was already getting hot - another lovely day.  Stopped at Newbridge for lunch and went to The Rose pub to re-hydrate. While there met a bad mannered boater from Thrupp who put his boat into too small a gap and banged boate front and back.  On the plus side he gave us a tip about some nice moorings ahead just upsteam from Rushey Lock. Also spotted 154th Bristol Sea Scouts having a swimming race - they were camping in a nearby field.  Had a chat with their leaders.
Found a lovely spot just beyond Rushey Lock and moored up at 6pm.  Managed to get a TV signal at last and so .... watched the Olympics!

Annie driving out of Northmoor Lock

An out of the way spot for the night

quick dip in the heat

8th August - Eynsham till bridge to Bablock Hythe

Colin and Anne set off home at 10am.  Very sorry to see them go, we have had a simply great time with them!  We upped pins and moved off at 10.30am in gorgeous weather.  Arrived at Bablock Hythe at 1.30pm and decided to stay as it was such a lovely spot. Listened to the Olympics on 5 live most of the afternoon as still no TV signal.

Moored at 'The Ferryman Inn'

7th August - Christ Church Meadow to Eynsham

Colin and Anne left at 8am to catch the train to Paddington to watch the triathlon.  Annie did some essential shopping whilst I repaired the water pump which had sprung a leak.  We set off up the Thames at lunchtime and reached Eynsham around tea time.  Colin and Anne had a great time watching the triathlon, then came back to Reading, caught the train to Aldermaston, then walked to the marina to collect their car, parking it at a small car park next to Eynsham toll bridge (cars 5p).
Finished the day with a mega game of  Scrabble punctuated by Lady falling off the plank into the river.

Little Egret showing off its yellow wellies

Filling up with water

6th August - Sandford Lock to Christ Church Meadow, Oxford

Lady woke everyone at 6am but it wasnt until 10.45 that we set off for the short trip into Oxford.  Got a great mooring opposite Christ Church Meadow just downstream of Folly Bridge.  Colin and Anne went into Oxford to investigate catching the train into London tomorrow so they can watch the Oympic Triathlon in Hyde Park.

5th August - Clifton Hampden to Sandford Lock

Col and I walked into Clifton Hampden to pay for the moorings (£4) at the post office and buy a newspaper and milk. Weather during the day still hot but we could hear thunderstorms rumbling away nearby with th sky becoming blacker and blacker.  Approaching Sandford we were treated to a 'twister'. A low section of cloud could be seen to be rotating quickly and beginning to form the typical cone of a twister.  However it didn't reach the ground.

Embryonic twister

Moored up for the evening above Sandford Lock and walked across for a meal at the Kings Arms on the other side of the river.  Got back to the boat and a game of cards before the heavens opened for a very wet night.

Kings Arms, Sandford Lock

The hat again....

Arriving above Sandford lock

4th August - Beale Park to Clifton Hampden

After the daily engine check (removed fishing line from prop) and a cooked breakfast we set off at 10am. Bought honey from the Lock Keeper at Days Lock and had lunch on the go.   Moored up late afternoon at Clifton Hampden.  Campsite opposite was hosting large group with the blokes all dressed as brides.....

Sister & bro-in-law Christine and James joined us for a drink in the evening at the Barley Mow pub next to the bridge.  No TV or radio signal so missed loads of GB Olympic golds today :-(

Kayaker in top hat, bow-tie and little else.

3rd August Tyle Mill to Beale Park

Up at 7.30, an early breakfast and we set off around 9.30am.  Met up with nb. Hobgoblin and shared the lock work as far as Reading.  At Reading Hobgoblin was unable to find a water tap (someone had left a tap running and drained their tank) and returned to Tyle Mill.
Finally onto the Thames and turned left for Oxford.  Col spotted a Kingfisher.  Tried to moor at Pangbourne but no space so continued and found a mooring at Beale Park.
Getting used to life on boat again which is surprisingly tiring when doing full days so all to bed at 9.30pm!

The mad hatters

Man attempting to put out large hedge fire with a bucket of water.....

2nd August - Frouds Bridge to Tyle Mill

Finished painting in the morning, allowing the paint time to dry before Colin & Anne arrived at 4pm.  Nice to see Anne's parents again! - they were being handed over relay style to Anne's brother who was taking them onwards to Hastings.  After Cups of tea Bob, Lucy & Stuart left and the four of us set off on Ceilidh.
We managed a couple of hours before mooring near Tyle Mill.

14th July to 2nd August 2012 - Boat painting

With Scouts finished for the summer we de-camped to the boat in order to paint it.  A 'few days' to splash a bit of paint about turned into a mission to remove considerable deposits of rust back to metal, a coat of anti-rust, a coat of primer, two undercoats followed by two top coats.  Rain showers the first week slowed things down.  A second week of sunshine and 31 degree heat caused even more problems with boiled knees from trying to paint the roof.  All was finally completed on the morning before friends Colin & Anne arrived.