22nd October
2 locks were self service today on our way to moor in Wallingford; Goring and Cleeve, so I was able to play lock keeper, which is great fun as it only requires button pushing and gives you all that sense of power as the water rushes in!! Oh how I love the Thames locks.
As this was to be a short day, Pete suggested we stop for lunch at The Leatherne Bottel above Cleeve Lock. This is now an Italian restaurant, Rossini, one of two, the other being in Wokingham. It has only been open for 7 weeks, so consequently as we were the only diners for lunch we got star treatment with a 'surprise' starter from the chef of poached salmon, olives, mozzarella and bruschetta and then we were asked to try the home baked forcaccia. What with this, a bottle of wine (you can still drink/drive a boat) and our lunch choices we rolled out some 2 and a half hours later expecting the boat to sink with our weight. The charming waiter who was from Venice told us his name was Guido, but will respond to Window or Weirdo (as people who mishear tend to call him)!
Anyway, it was nice to stop for a civilised lunch for a change instead of a sandwich on the hoof and we wish them well as they are so friendly and welcoming. We suggested they consider providing a ferry across to them from more extensive moorings on the opposite bank which could benefit their customer count. Of course, they had already thought of that and have an ambitious and very fitting plan for the type of craft. We were sworn to secrecy and will have to see if they've achieved it when we go back next year.
Goring Lock in autumn colour
Hotel boat, African Queen, waiting to come in, sadly the skipper took over and worked the gates for me!!
2 locks were self service today on our way to moor in Wallingford; Goring and Cleeve, so I was able to play lock keeper, which is great fun as it only requires button pushing and gives you all that sense of power as the water rushes in!! Oh how I love the Thames locks.
As this was to be a short day, Pete suggested we stop for lunch at The Leatherne Bottel above Cleeve Lock. This is now an Italian restaurant, Rossini, one of two, the other being in Wokingham. It has only been open for 7 weeks, so consequently as we were the only diners for lunch we got star treatment with a 'surprise' starter from the chef of poached salmon, olives, mozzarella and bruschetta and then we were asked to try the home baked forcaccia. What with this, a bottle of wine (you can still drink/drive a boat) and our lunch choices we rolled out some 2 and a half hours later expecting the boat to sink with our weight. The charming waiter who was from Venice told us his name was Guido, but will respond to Window or Weirdo (as people who mishear tend to call him)!
Anyway, it was nice to stop for a civilised lunch for a change instead of a sandwich on the hoof and we wish them well as they are so friendly and welcoming. We suggested they consider providing a ferry across to them from more extensive moorings on the opposite bank which could benefit their customer count. Of course, they had already thought of that and have an ambitious and very fitting plan for the type of craft. We were sworn to secrecy and will have to see if they've achieved it when we go back next year.
Goring Lock in autumn colour
Hotel boat, African Queen, waiting to come in, sadly the skipper took over and worked the gates for me!!
No comments:
Post a Comment