Friends, family and amphibians

31st July
Saturday was spent catching up with some old friends again and I met my old chum from prop graphics days, Sarah whom I haven't seen for a few years now. She was her usual bubbly self, fighting fit with all the cycling she does (about to cycle the Alps with her husband and friends) and happy and radiant. We didn't have long enough to catch up properly, but such a joy to see her all the same.

On to Henley for Sunday, where family joined us. The weather has been rotten; heavy showers, fierce wind and low temperatures, so we were concerned we were all going to be cooped up inside the boat, but our usual mooring on the meadows proved to be ideal, where grandson could run about with Granpy (albeit in and out of dirty muddy puddles) and we could put chairs and tables out on the bank for lunch. We went for a short boat trip, with Rowan waving to boats and walkers, shouting under the bridge for the echo and showing genuine interest in other boats and boaters. He especially liked Granpy's voice-over for the duck he was feeding; a rough cockney accent instructing him on how much he would like to eat. The sun came out here and there to help us enjoy the trip, but we did get a shower as well. Our gorgeous grand-daughter took everything in her cheerful stride, smiling obligingly every time you had a conversation with her. Rowan had to know what every switch and button was for and had a great game fishing with our fenders?! It was a worry when he stood on the stern though, that was very carefully supervised and I will be buying a life jacket for next time.

Pete was a wet rag by the evening, having run about playing football all afternoon. I was too, lifting a near-3 year old in and out of the boat and keeping up with his energy and enthusiasm. Such fun and well worth it.

An early night for us grandparents.

Yesterday and today we have been treated to the sight of amphibious craft who are cruising sections of the river from Henley. Some of these strange carboats are so deep in the water they look horribly unsafe and cumbersome, but their occupants were clearly having a great time. Pete noticed one coming in to land using it's indicator! Not quite the James Bond style we see on film!

these two taken by my grandson......

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Weather

28th July
You would never guess it was July. We are moored on a wide section of the Thames in Wargrave and a fierce wind is whipping around the bend ahead of us. All the boats passing us seem to be doing the same. The flowers on our roof are swept in one direction and their containers are constantly falling over. Doors slam and rattle and the river slaps our sides. It's cold and grey and miserable. A friend observed that you are forced to be aware of the elements on this method of travel and he couldn't be more right.
Yesterday's forecast was for light cloud late afternoon. Poppycock. It rained heavily in short showers, there was even some thunder, meaning that we were zipping up boat covers and then pulling them open by turns and removing rain jackets and putting them on again in the same way because the temperature was mild so made you hot and sticky wearing them. We contemplated lighting the fire for solace, but we would have been too hot! Two young girls opposite our mooring were happily swimming - that's how complex the weather was.

This fluctuating state has been going on for over a week now and it is very frustrating. Not at all what we expected from this trip and we have come away with very little warm clothing. You find yourself wearing the most odd combinations, shorts with waterproof trousers over them, vests, t shirts and fleeces on top that are easy to peel off one by one if that elusive sun burns through.

I just hope it is mild and dry on Sunday when our grandchildren join us.

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Hurley Lock

26th July
From Cookham to Hurley Lock, where we had booked the back water to moor (bathing pool, as they call it). The lock keeper at Temple lock had somewhat spoilt my expectation of this favourite mooring, where you feel you have your own garden, by telling me the Boy Scouts were on their camping expedition on the other bank. That would have ruined the peace here, but as it was their tents were not yet occupied. Pete skilfully manoeuvred the boat backwards between pilings and we were settled for £8.90 for the night. The weather was so changeable though and we were unable to sit on our garden as it was very windy and showery. Off to the pub instead then!


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Cookham kingfisher

26th July
After a warm sunny evening in Cookham, the only one forecast this week, we awoke to pouring rain and a chill in the air. Pete went open the crache cover but pulled up short as he saw a kingfisher balanced on our rope. This is the closest we have ever seen this bird and it is so pretty. It sat there in the rain peering into the shallow water hoping for a catch for a short while whilst we quietly retrieved the camera. Annoyingly the photo I got was through the front window so not too crisp, but I will upload it when we get home. Unzipping the cover to try and get a better shot disturbed him despite my trying to do it stealthily, and he shot off. A treat to have him that close though.

shame it's blurred!

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Boulters squeeze

25th July
Coming through Boulters Lock after viewing the massive luxury housing river development that is being built from Maidenhead railway bridge all the way along the bank, scooting around the last remaining grand old house it seems, we witnessed some excellent lock keeping skills. This is a large lock and as the gates opened to let us and others in, the lock keeper asked us to shift over to the other bank as a boat had broken down in the lock (both of its 2 engines) and was having to be dragged out onto the pontoon we were waiting on. This done, we were the first in and my bow rope was taken up to the top bollard by the assistant, I am glad to say I didn't have to throw it that high. It then became a jigsaw of boats, 4 narrowboats along the right hand wall and 4 cruisers on the left. I was very impressed at how the keeper organised it and took ropes with his boat hook to help us all.

After a long time we were all released in a flotilla up towards Cliveden, a beautiful stretch of National Trust wooded banks with the grand and famous (Profumo affair) hotel overseeing it all.

The old gentleman who sits by the cut from Boulters

flotilla from full lock towards Clifton

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Friends and rain

22nd July

Friends, Dave and Irina met us at Shepperton Lock for a trip back downstream to Hampton Court. Sadly it rained heavily on and off all day, so we all got drenched in turns. We managed to moor outside the palace but in the trees, because the main public moorings were full. We were so chilled that we lit the fire and poured some restorative red wine (gifted by D and I)to have with our lunch. This made us all very sleepy but we shook ourselves up to visit the Hampton Court gardens in the rain again, and have tea and scones in the cafe. Dave and Irina were enthusiastic boat guests though, very appreciative of their day out and it was great to have their lively company, despite the lack of sunshine.

By the time we had done all this, it was quite late as we headed back to drop Dave and Irina off at Shepperton where they had left their car, and with mist rising from the river we finally moored at 7.30 on Docket Eddy Lane where we flopped with exhaustion in front of the TV! There is something about bad weather that really takes it out of you in this outdoors pursuit. We had an excellent night's sleep before doing it all again and meeting friends, Jackie and Simon in Staines. Again it rained and was quite cold but we had a fun day cruising to Windsor, mooring and picnicking on board again, but in the bow this time as it was just warm enough. The river was incredibly busy here as always and the funfair was in full pelt. We were bashed about against the bank somewhat. The day went very quickly with the 4 of us finishing it in the only riverside pub in Windsor by which time it was about 8pm. We decided to have dinner there but were told they had stopped serving food! On a Sunday evening?! We attempted to find somewhere else but Jack and Simon needed to get a train back to London so time was running out. Windsor strikes me as a strange place - it is very touristy unsurprisingly. The riverfront is a strip of path with a park behind it and ice cream and fish and chips vendors, but few restaurants and the pubs further in towards the town are big screen sports types, so we failed to find a quick supper and had to say our farewells to our mates in a bit of a rush. Never mind, it had been another lively day with good friends.

Once again, back on board we collapsed amongst the debris of the day. I'm washing up tomorrow!

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Kingston turnaround

21st July

Our final stop downstream before turning back.
Back into familiar surroundings where my parents lived and somewhere I doubt I will frequent much more. It seems strange.

We said our final farewells to them by scattering ashes outside their flat and opposite Ravens Ait where they held their 50th wedding anniversary celebration. This spot is even more a part of their lives together as it is where they started their married life, marrying in Kingston Registry Office and living with Mum's parents in Surbiton. They celebrated their simple wedding by going on a boat trip with family and friends on this very part of the Thames back in 1949. Then after many years in Essex, they came back to live here, near me in Twickenham, to help look after my boys after my divorce. So Kingston is very significant for them.

This mooring is very busy with boats and walkers. A young schoolgirl came to speak to us because her name is Animishkaa! Even spelt the same way as our boat name. She asked if we knew the meaning but seemed a little disappointed when we said it means 'go away paddling' in Native American. Her parents are from Kenya and India, so possibly there is another meaning in one of their languages. The blacksmith was on our moorings here too. I hope he made some sales to passers by on this busy stretch.

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Shepperton Lindsay's Lawn

2oth July

A favourite mooring tonight in Shepperton. As usual it was busy as this a popular spot with it's open area and easy access to Shepperton village but we managed to get in alongside other boats. It has been horribly windy today and was too chilly to even sit in the bow when we stopped, which was a shame.

Just behind us was a narrowboat called Emily with a small butty called Bronte, which housed a complete blacksmiths, open fire and all. The blacksmith had his wares displayed for sale and of course we couldn't resist this perfect addition to our boating needs. No more spilt wine on an uneven bank and as Pete says, all we need are long straws and we wouldn't even need to lift our glasses!

Mooring Pin markers

We have taken to marking our mooring pins with dayglo tennis balls pushed onto the top of them instead of the old scruffy orange plastic bags we used to use. This is a gesture of respect to those who walk and cycle the towpath to alert them and prevent them tripping on our lines or the pins themselves. When we got up to leave from Marsh Meadows one of the 3 balls had been pinched. So disappointing that people would want to do this. What on earth use is a tennis ball with a hole in it? All we can think is that is other boaters,but how pathetic to steal such a thing. It's also happened again in Windsor, so we are down to one left.

Ah well, back to the scruffy plastic bags then.

Swan Upping

18th July

On another hot but windy day, we moved on to another favourite mooring in Cookham.

Shenanigans at Temple Lock where we had to hold out as there was a queue of boats waiting for the lock ahead of us and no mooring space. This wasn't easy as there was no shelter and the boat was being blown off course. Pete managed it of course, but not without a little worry - it must have a been a full half hour wait in the middle of the river. The delay was quite possibly due to the lock keeper having gone for lunch and the lock being manned by us public, always a bit hit and miss. I have found that a few gentlemen sailors like to take over this task with some arrogance over little me. I think they don't believe I am capable of reading instructions and pressing buttons because that is all it takes. I was questioned by one man, who strode up to take over without so much as a hello, whether I had closed the top sluices before opening the bottom ones. Huh!

Anyway, on to Cookham on Marsh Meadow moorings £6.00 for 24 hours and as soon as we had stopped we were aware of lots of idling boats mid river. The reason being that the Swan Upping team was out doing its duty to the queen by catching, weighing and ringing her majesty's swans. What a spectacle and how lucky we were to be directly opposite that moment's show as there was a family of swans at the bottom of a private garden that the team were heading for. We could just about see them beyond the idling spectator boats, catching the birds and taking them ashore. I dare say the house owner was surprised to have them on his lawn. We learned later from an old couple who walked past and who come to watch this process every year in the third week of July, that the teams travel from Sunbury locating the swans and this year Ben Fogle was helping and had we seen him? Later I looked through the photos I had taken with a zoom lens and I had indeed inadvertently snapped Ben. The crew are Thames watermen and trained to lift the swans. They bind their wings which makes them passive, but it must be a tricky task knowing how strong these creatures are. The whole episode was so typically traditionally English and quite eccentric with the crews in their scarlet blazers and the chief with a feather in his hat, on beautiful shiny wooden craft with the queen's flag flying. A ritual that has gone on for centuries. I wonder what Liz says when she is presented with the count! Probably bores her rigid!

It was another hot sticky day and we walked to the lovely Bel and Dragon pub. Back on board the clouds gathered and there was a violent thunderstorm which was very exciting to view from our cosy boat. Pete spoke to a young man who had swum across the river in the storm with all his fishing tackle after his boat had broken down on the resident side! Pete offered help for tomorrow, there was little we could do immediately. Poor chap.

My photos of Swan Upping will have to wait to go on the blog as I have no means of getting them off the camera to upload them having left behind the gizmo for connecting the card to the iPad. In the meantime I will try to include Cookham's artist, Stanley Spencer's painting of it.

Stanley Spencer's painting

...and his self portrait, just because I like it!

clever manœuvreing of these strong, wild creatures

love this doggie surveying the scene

my only (accidental) photo of Ben Fogel!

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Henley tidy up

17th July

We travelled on from Pangbourne to moor in Henley. We hadn't realised that the Dunkirk Little Ships and historic boat rally had only just been staged (despite having passed many of these pretty boats leaving), so the river was slowly being cleared of temporary pontoons, wooden pilings and tents and marquees on its banks. Because of this the usual public moorings were not accessible. We continued past Temple Island to moor on open space just beyond, which despite being around a mile and a half from the centre of Henley, was still £10 for 24 hours stay. It was beautiful there however and it was a very hot day and evening. After we walked back into town for a beer, we returned to the boat to watch brave young people diving in for a swim and rowers being coached by shouting cyclists. Both of these activities were very noisy!

We had locked through with 2 rowing boats of elderly folk from the Lower Thames Rowing Club who were all very jolly and told Pete they were planning on a trip right down to Southend! It will take them some time as they appear to like their rest times, stopping for a liquid lunch along the way. The lock keeper at Sonning Lock waved us in behind them telling me to move up once the rower whose oar was stuck across the lock had removed it, "or just break it" he said jovially, "they've got plenty more". We didn't have to, I'm glad to say! There was quite a muddle when they left the lock though with lots of tangling of oars and ropes, despite them being excellent rowers. One chap declared "we are usually much better than this!"

We passed them a little later, mooring up at the George and Dragon in Wargrave - perhaps that was it for the day.

the debris of Henley regatta

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Chaos at Culham Lock

15th July
We left our usual mooring in Abingdon after Pete's early morning canoe paddle and under grey skies. Many runners on the towpath which the happy lock keeper informed us was a regular Saturday practice, like a (quote) 'herd of wildebeest' coming towards him when he starts his day! This young lock keeper who clearly loves his job and whom we've met before asked if we were expecting trouble as we floated in because we have a sharpened broom handle as a masthead! I guess he couldn't have known it was our aerial pole ingeniously whittled by Pete; I told him indignantly that I would have him know it was a state of the art fixture, but pretty useless all the same! Probably more helpful for fighting off the wildebeest.

On to Culham Lock where we found a queue. We were updated on events by the boaters ahead of us. The top sluices had been damaged possibly by someone trying to open the gate before the lock had filled properly. The lock keeper was off sick and our cheery Abingdon man had been called the day before to sort things out, but today it was down to us all to operate between ourselves. To add to the slow fill, a hire boat had got its rope stuck in the bottom gates somehow, so was having to wait to go back down in order to get free! It took us about an hour to get through and it started to rain heavily. It being Saturday there was a lot of river traffic. A barmy load of giggling girls on a tiny craft locked with us. Pete asked where they were headed and was told "oh, Oxford or somewhere". Pete pointed out that Oxford was the opposite direction. They didn't seem to mind though, bedraggled and wet through with no rainwear, they hurtled off down the river shrieking. Turned around about a mile out of the lock, presumably to go back to Oxford! What larks.

Rain stopped and we pressed on to Wallingford for our next mooring and a supplies trip to Waitrose.

The lock keeper has a whippet

A sign for those of us who don't know what a buoy is! 

Boat still life

Photos

Expectantly waiting for this development

Busy popular Bookbinders

Banbury to Somerton

10th July

Off on a Monday morning after shopping for supplies in M&S and Poundworld (couldn't be more contrasting price wise). A stop at the Pig Place for sausage supplies. A friendly pig grunted a welcome, oh dear. Red kites wheeling low overhead and the owner's doggies peeping sleepily from their kennels, this is a pleasant stop. Then an uneventful cruise through deeper locks which Pete operated, to another favourite out of the way mooring at Somerton. The view towards the large house on the hill has changed and is not quite as rustic as it was with its five bar gate, because the foreground fence has been repaired in hefty metal, shame. No cows in the field either.

Weather has changed too, cloudy today and a cool wind blows up by the time we moor, so indoors watching Murray at Wimbledon. Home from home!


- at least our bed cabin will be cool tonight.

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Summer cruise

7th July 2017

Back on board for another Thames trip. Baking hot day. Loaded boat with all the stuff we need for a long cruise. Pete booked Ani in for bottom blacking in October. Had a little concern over our 17 year old fridge which seemed to be struggling to get to temperature.. we have new domestic batteries so were worried they weren't man enough to keep the fridge going when the engine wasn't running. However all looks good this morning as we still have cold milk etc. So panic over for now.

When Pete checked date of our last change of batteries thinking it to be only a couple of years ago, to his astonishment he discovered it was 2012. Same with the bottom blacking which should be done every 3 - 4 years but was last done in 2012! Time flies and it proves to us that it is so important to log these things.

Saturday 8th, baking hot again! Off down towards Oxford.
We moored at Cropredy in a row of boats (popular mooring and village) and had dinner at The Brasenose. A rowdy gang of young cyclists were in the garden with us - their 20 mile bike ride seemed to have taken in quite a few pubs on route. How they got back on their bikes I will never know.

No TV signal here, so a cooling off on the towpath after this hot day then an early night. Our neighbours were still on the bank, playing scrabble after having a barbecue when we locked up, a good alternative to watching TV.



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Tom Rolt bridge

9th July
We have done this stretch many times now, but it is still enjoyable especially as the weather is holding fair. I am not doing very well with the locks, the bottom gates' paddles defeat me every time, so I gave up again and did the driving. My still-mending shoulder doesn't help of course - I was hoping to use the winding as exercise for it and will try again.

We arrived in Banbury. You always know you're near, first it's the coffee factory smell, then the industrial bakery - think I prefer the latter! We moored where we have before just below Tom Rolt's bridge, next to the lively park. After a little shopping for me and canoeing for Pete, we sat in the bow and then on the park as it was so hot and watched the park life; dog walkers, skateboarders, mums, dads and little ones, young people meeting up, old people strolling. A typical Sunday afternoon scene. We missed our friends, Jenny and Sid, who have joined us here before for a cup of tea which led to a beer or two. That was a hot day as well.

All the windows are out, side hatch open and still our bed cabin is stuffy. Leaving the back doors ajar is the only option and we don't fancy that on this mooring.

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