Summer 2015

Unfortunately Mum had a bad fall at the end of April.  We stayed on the Thames at Reading for the 6 weeks she was in hospital - much more convenient than travelling in by car as it was only a short walk each day.  Mum was able to return home in June with sister Chris and I taking it in turns week on week off to 'keep an eye'. During this time we shuffled between Kennet Mouth on the Thames and Theale on the K&A, both within easy reach of Mums.  Later in the summer she was well enough for us to spend a few days cruising on the Thames.

April 18th - Reading to Burghfield

April 16th & 17th - Remained at Reading

Walked Peggy round to Nb. Blue Wolf to say goodbye to Shaun and Debs.  The tree has now been cleared and boats are on the move again.  We wish them well!
Spent the day working on the boat - tightened fan belt, cleaned fuel system and made a 'knob' for the throttle lever.  Annie blacked the stove and cleaned up the cratch area.

On Friday I spent the day at my Mums whilst Annie replaced the zip on the cratch cover.

Black Swan

April 15th - Day trip to Henley

Today we were joined by Jess, Charlie and Alizée.  They parked in the nearby watersports car park and walked round to us, meeting us coming through Blakes Lock.  Had a great day doing a few locks and mooring and having a picnic in Henley.  We got back to Reading for tea and walked them back to the car.

April 14th - Reading Tescos to Reading Jail loop

Received an email from CRT to say that the K&A canal was closed due to a fallen tree above County Lock in Reading.  This meant that Shaun and Debs would be stuck in Reading until it is cleared - hopefully soon.  We moved both boats round to the Reading Jail loop and moored up.  Annie, Debs and I walked up the canal to see if we could see the tree.  Couldn't miss it! - a stonking great thing.  CRT had removed a few branches but this looks like it might take a day or two!
 Caught the bus to go and see my Mum in Tilehurst in the evening.

April 13th - Wallingford to Reading

Set off at 9.30am in convoy with Blue Wolf.  Both boats filled with water at Cleve Lock and Ceildh had a pump out at Mapledurham - once he Lock Keeper had come back from lunch.  Had to dodge a huge piling rig at Caversham bridge.  Arrived at Tescos Reading at 4pm and I fixed bodged the oven whilst the girls shopped at Tescos.  Took Peggy for a walk with drinky-poos on Blue Wold on the way back.

Alpacas gathering for a stampede

April 12th - Godstow to Wallingford

Set off early and had breakfast on the go in order that we could catch 'Blue Wolf' going the other way round Oxford.  Godstow lock was self service - no lock keeper, probably because it is too early in the season for full manning.  Arriving at Osney Lock, the Keeper told us that BW was only 15 minutes in front of us.  We caught up with them at Sandford Lock which was also self service and they were having problems getting through.  The two boats travelled together for the rest of the day - though we had some fun at Abingdon!  As Ceilidh came out of the lock, the strong wind immediately blew us aground at the entrance to the weir.  Lots of manoevering (and helpful advice from watchers on the bank) finally got us off - phew!  Then it got 'really' hairy! We found ourselves in the middle of a huge rowing regatta having to avoid boats left and right determined to ram us and dice themselves in our propeller.

The wind continued very strong with white horses on some stretches - finally moored at Wallingford about 5pm - a long day.

 Locking through Kings Lock

 Leaving Kings Lock

 Con trails over Port Meadow, Oxford

 Wind against current = choppy ride

 N.b. Blue Wolf

Moored in the trees below Wallingford (saving £6 mooring fee)