Reading to Goring

Miles 11.2 Locks 3
We are just two stations up the line from Reading At Goring. We stopped for a brief chat with R&S from Calluna just downstream of Mapledurham Lock.

Boats passing at Goring


Swans black and white as we left Reading

End Post.

Wargrave to Reading

Miles 6.5 Locks 2
An even shorter day than we had originally planned by starting from Wargarve rather than Henley. Rain threatened all day and finally came as a thunder storm whilst we were on the bus into Reading from the Tesco moorings. Two views of the River Kennett as it passes through the Orical Centre.
Looking Upstream
Looking Downstream
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Maidenhead to Henley to Wargrave Marshes

Monday 27 June 2011
Miles 15.5 Locks 7
We should have stayed in bed today but it started out hot so we set off hoping that our travelling on the river would give a cool breeze. No, Boulters lock failed after we had entered and we had to wait for a temporary fix to get us up to the next level. This had a nock on effect with long waits at all the other locks. We didnt reach Henley untill 5.30 and we were feeling pooped by then and settled down to have tea. Then we discovered that the overnight mooring fee was GBP 40.00 because it was " Regatta Week" nothing going on other than high mooring charges. After Tea we moved up through Marsh Lock and moored on the Wargarve Marshes and sat out untill about 10 pm. Henleys loss, I wonder how many other boats just passed through rather than pay an exorbitant fee, and not spending in the town too. Boris would be Fuming if he was still their MP.
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Windsor to Maidenhead

Sunday 26 June 2011
Miles 6.9 locks 2
This is a view of Brunel's brick railway bridge at Maidenhead. actually i is in the centre as the bridge has been widened on either side since originally being built.
The scene at Boulters lock on a hot Sunday afternoon

The lock has filled with boats and the gatesare closing

The boats entering the lockwe had moored in the shade just below the lock and went for a stroll into the town centre. It was nice to go into the air-conditioned shops.
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At Windsor

We are spending the day in Windsor and there is a Fete in the gardens nearby. As the afternoon progresses the sun is coming out and M has gone to watch the Duck Race.

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Walton To Windsor

FRIDAY 24 June 2011

Miles 16.1 Locks 6

We are deffinately in big boat country. Our neighbour at the Baths Island Moorings at Windsor.

We shared Romney Lock with this work barge and its pusher/puller tugs , it took them ages to get the tow into the lock. We had to be up front too which made for rough water as the lock was filled.
The lock at Old Windsor was set for "Self Operate" and M brought the boat into the lock whilst I pressed the buttons.

Cool Kiddie is M

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Hampton Court to Walton on Thames

Miles 4.9 Locks 2
A late start today as we had to wait untill 10 o,clock before we could visit the gardens at Hampton Court Palace. They were very interesting The view down the long lake had been spoilt by the temperory bridges that have been built for the RHS Flower Show that will be on in early July. It was fascinating though to see the early stages of the show gardens.

We set off back up the river after lunch and got caught by the "Self Operate"on the first lock at Molesy. We made it through though with the help of the crew of a boat waiting to come down.

We have also discovered Walton on Thames, we did not want to go toofar today as the availability of moorings is limited and to get to Runnymead would have meant operating Bell Weir lock ourselves, and I didn't fancy that so we stopped quite early on the 24 hr moorings at Walton and walked into town. We were supprised by the amount of shops there were quite a selection of the main high street stores. Lots of pubs too - there are three all by one another on the river by the moorings
Moorings at Walton on Thames
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Windsor to Hampton Court

Miles 20.2 Locks 8
We had given up making Hampton Court today because of the rain. The day started ok in Windsor but got bad by Staines. We moored on the 24 hr mooring at Lalham and settled down for the day. After about 2 hours the weather improved and we set off again reaching H.C. by 6 pm. Todays pic is of the bridge at Hampton Court lookin up river.
We are hoping that the weather will be good enough to let us visit the gardens tomorrow.
Yesterday we visited the British Museum - One day is not enough - and the crowds don't help. Took M on a shopping therapy trip to BHS on Oxford Road. We went into London by train from Windsor and then used our bus passes to move around. The info at bus stops and on the busses is fab - wish it were that good in G.M.
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Marlow to Windsor

Miles 13.6 Locks 4
We have reached Windsor and as we passed the station approach a train from Slough came in.
This is the grand entrance to the station now a shopping centre and the railway reduced to one platform and line.
I said in the last post that there were no other views to snap of Marlow. The lock entrance view proves the point.
We will be spending a few days at Windsor so a daily update may not be necessary. If anything exciting happens then I may post a report.
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Reading to Marlow

Miles 16.4 Locks 6
It is hard trying to get another shot of Marlow from the moorings than this scene. I am sure that it is very similar to last years picture.
The regatta course at Henley, there was a regatta taling place on the lower part for lady rowers.
Here they are waiting to be called forward for their race
We have not mentioned red kites so far this trip and as we have been seeing them since Lower Heyford they have become quite ubiquitous but at Henley there were at least a dozen circling the centre of the town so out came the camera and out of view went the kites as you can see only one in the picture.
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Pangbourne to Reading

Miles 7 Locks 2

Today's post was only going to be a quick position report. Rain most of the day kept the cameras inside. Just as I was getting the computer out to make the post we had this visitor.

We are mored on Kings Meadow outside the Reading Tesco store. There are buses into the town centre from here (no 41) and we managed to spend a couple of hours in town between showers.
Once again we travelled with the cover up - it dosn't half make a difference. Just heared from R+R on DICSOVERY No1 who are at Clifton Lock as all the moorings on Oxford and Abingdon
are full because of the weather - no one seems to want to move in the rain.

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Wallingford to Pangbourne Meadow

Miles 10.6 Locks 3
we have been travelling with out hood up again as the rain started just as we were setting off. This is what it looks like. Taken at Cleeve Lock
The weather cleared up as we arrived at Pangbourne meadow so we went for a walk into Whitchurch. Seen below from the toll bridge.
Not much in Whitchurch other than two fine looking pubs so we didn't stay long. We made our way back across the toll bridge into Pangbourne where most of the shops and facilities seem to be. It has pubs too one of which is shown below
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Abingdon to Wallingford Via Dorchester

15/6/2011
Dorchester to Wallingford
Miles 4.2 Locks 1
A short run into Wallingford for our first trip to the laundrette. Moored on the opposite side to the town as we did last year. Shortly after lunch we had a quick chat with C&D from San Seriffe who were travelling upstream hoping to get to Abingdon today.

Wallingford Bridge looking downstream.

14/6/2011
Abingdon to Dorchester
Locks 5 Miles 10.5
Before we left Abingdon we went up the lock for water and then turned to go back downstream.

The trees have been pollarded along the river giving a view seldom seen.

We had hoped to moor above days lock and walk into Dorchester but they were full. We found a spot bu the junction with the River Thame wich proved to be a shorter walk into the town.

Our Secluded overnight Moorings

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At Abingdon. Visit to Didcot Railway Centre

Its not often tht we find the moorings alongside the swimming pool full when we arrive at Abingdon but is was yesterday. Todays boaty pic shows us moored on the eastern bank for a change.

And now on to the visit to Didcot Railway Centre. As you can guess or already know it has a very heavy bias to all things GWR so imagine my suprise when this dedicated LNER follower spotted this loco outside the shed.---- TORNADO 60163 in Brunswick Green even . What a treat.

A close inspection of the running lamps will show that all things on this modern loco are High Tec --- LED parafine lamps
I will post a set of pictures on Photo Bucket later today and attach a link to this post for you to see more of Tornado and some of the GWR locos in the running shed and restoration workshops.

Photo link Here http://s249.photobucket.com/albums/gg209/Gralyn2008/Didcot%20Railway%20Centre/?start=all

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Battened Down in Abingdon

Osney to Abingdon
Miles 9.2 Locks 4
As the post title suggests after a morning trip in the rain we moored at in Abingdon, put the remaining covers on, lit the fire and settled down to weather out the rain. I have loosened the mooring ropes in case the river rises, had dinner and will watch a DVD this evening. We travelled with the cover up for the first time today and it had earned its keep. With the sides off and the front and back windows rolled up we stayed relatively dry. Rope work at the locks was easy to do but I will have to wait for a wet day moving up river to see how well it works then. The forecast is for AM drizzel tomorrow so I will get the bus to the Didcot Railway Centre. There will be plenty of pictures I am sure. Most will be posted on Photobucket with a link from the blog.
This chap was seen by Newnham Rail Bridge http://www.rspb.org.uk/wildlife/birdguide/name/c/cormorant/index.aspx
and later on one of these.
http://www.rspb.org.uk/wildlife/birdguide/name/t/tuftedduck/index.aspx

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Thrupp to Osney

Miles 5.5 Locks 6
At last we are on the Thames. Moored at Osney. A short bus trip from the centre of Oxford. This afternoon we went for a look round the shops and sites.

One of the "Dreaming Spires"


Leaving Godstow Lock

The upstream and downstream views of the lock on Dukes cut.

Nearly lost the chimney when I went to get my camera to take this shot.

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Nell Bridge to Thrupp

Miles 15.7 Locks 10
I am writing this blog update in the Jolly Boatman at Thrupp. For those of the Canalworld Forum, Maffi and Bones are sat at the table opposite talking with friends. We were away early from Nell Bridge to get to Ahyno wharf for diesel and water. The rest of the run down was in showers and sunny spells. After Pidgeon Lock M remembered we had some cherries left so we ate them and scattered the stones along the off side bank - so if there are a row of cherry trees there in 20 years time remember "Gralyn was here". Thrupp Visitor moorings were chocker so we had to squeeze in just past the pub as you can see in tonight's picture.





End Update

Banbury to Nell Bridge

Miles 5.2 Locks 3

As the title says we are at Nell Bridge which is about 5 miles south ob Banbury. After one and a half days in Banbury we decided to carry on towards the Thames. It got us away from the shops ( we were moored about 50 Yds from BHS) and as we want to stop and refuel at Ahyno tomorrow we did not want to go too far.

Tonight's picture is of the Lock at Banbury looking back at the Castle Quays shopping complex.

End post

Napton to Cropready to Banbury (Plus Pic Catchup)

Wednesday 8/6/2011
Miles 4 Locks 3
We arrived in Banbury at 9.0 am this morning after a quick run down from Cropready. Each of the three locks was full and the top gates were open so we were able to just sail in, close the gate and top paddles and start down. Last time we were in Banbury I posted a picture of the Lady on th White Horse. This time you get the Cross itself.

Tuesday 7/6/2011
Napton to Cropready
Miles 15.7 Locks 18
A day dominated by the windy top level of the southern Oxford Canal summit. At least the weather was fine for the rise up the Napton locks but it the turned into instant heavy showers all the way down to Cropready. The evening is being spent in Glorious sunshine doing nothing.

Napton Bottom Lock
Travelling alonside the West Coast Main Line Near Ansty
The Welcoming Pipe Band at Hawksbury Junction

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Brinklow to Napton

Miles 21.3 Locks 3
Woken at 3.30am by the invertor alarm going off, there is deffinately something wrong with the batteries - after changing the invertor it was the same Found one battery with bulging sides and ends so that could be the culprit. Removed the dud and set off towards Braunston where we hope to get two new batteries. We stopped breifly at the southern portal of Newbold Tunnel to dispose of our rubbish and as it was planned as a "Flying stop" I hauled up in the nearby bridgehole. Lo and behold there on the moorings not 20 Yds away was Roy outside his boat DISCOVERY No.1 so we stopped for longer and exchanged news. Hillmorton locks were all in our favour after bidding Roy and Ruth farewell. At Braunston we managed to get two new leisure batteries and stopped by Br 99 to fit them and then had a charging run to the visitor moorings below Napton locks.

Still poor signals so will have to wait to catch up on pictures.

Atherton to Brinklow

Miles 20.6 Locks 10
A good cruise on the top level of the Coventry Canal with a welcome at Sutton stop (Hawksbury Junction) of a Scotish Pipe Band. We didn't stay long however as we wanted to get to Brinklow tonight. Poor signal tonight, I will upload today's photos when I have a better signal.

Barleston to Atherton Lock 2

Two days again as there was no signal last night. This update is being done at Fazely in the afternoon as I am not sure where we will be tonight. Those of you who know the canals will notice we are no longer on our way to Lincoln but have decided to go to the Thames instead.

Saturday 4th June 2011
Armitage to Atherton Lock 2
Miles 23.1 Locks 7
Not so hot today. we had a quick passage through Fradley and stoped at Streethey wharf for diesel and managed to get a decent photograph of "Milton Maid" now being used as a floating pontoon, a real climbdown from her pottery carring days on the Caldon Canal. At least she is still in use, we passed the sites of the factories she served a few days ago and they are either demolised and having housing built on the site of brownfield sites awaiting development.
Friday 3rd June
Barleston to Bridge 56 just south of Armitage.
Miles 23 Locks 15
The picture for today is the cafe alongside Heywood Lock