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.
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
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
- Posted using BlogPress from my iPad
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