Friday, 19th August
Our first stop today was at Tesco at Reading, to take on provisions. then on to "Better Boating" at Caversham to replace our empty gas cylinder. We have two cylinders so theoretically we never run out. We did run out the first year, but that's another story! Then up through Caversham Lock and Mapledurham Lock, where we moored against a field in a very peaceful spot.

Saturday, 13th August
We moved on upstream to Goring, and managed to get a mooring right by the lock. It had begun spitting with rain as we travelled, and we counted ourselves lucky to have moored and got the covers on before it started in earnest. Trev walked in to get the Saturday papers. But, what a tragedy, there was no Daily Telegraph! So I couldn't see if I had won last week's, or do this week's crossword. There was no tv or mobile reception here either, so we had to devise our own entertainment!

In the evening we walked into Goring and had a drink at the John Barleycorn, more a restaurant than a pub. However, they did take away fish and chips, so we ordered some to take back with us. It rained on and off all evening, and maybe all night, for all I know! However, we were treated to a firework display across the river at a hotel, I think there must have been a wedding there.

Sunday, 14th August
We did about eleven miles today and four locks. It was easy travelling and, of course, we're still being spoilt by having the locks operated for us by the Thames lock keepers.

It's good to be on our way upstream. I feel better as I get nearer to the Midlands. It seems nearer home. I've enjoyed the Thames very much, and am looking forward to going up to Lechlade, the furthermost navigable point, but it will be good to get back on to the canals.

We found a lovely mooring just above Day's Lock. There was a wide stretch of bank and then a slope beyond with a reservoir behind. It was just long enough for our boat, so we had no neighbours. I painted the gunwhales, where they get scratched as we moor or go in to the locks, and I did some touching up of the paintwork, too.

Monday, 15th August
W moved on up to Abingdon today, and moored alongside Sheridan and Ron on Ellisiana, as there was no room elsewhere. We spent a very convivial couple of hours with them, and in the evening we all went out to eat. They're good company but we shan't cruise with them again now until next year. They have invited us to stay with them later in the year, so I hope we'll be able to make it.

Tuesday, 16th August
We said goodbye to Sheridan and Ron who were waiting to meet friends, and set off for Oxford. We went up through Abingdon Lock and took on water and disposed of rubbish. Then on through more glorious scenery to the outskirts of Oxford and Osney Lock. Just above Osney Lock, we spotted Dennis and Pauline on "Chesterton". We got to know them when we moored at Braunston Marina, as they have a permanent mooring there. So we drew alongside and had a chat, and then on, past Port Meadow and on to Godstow Lock, where "The Trout Inn" of Inspector Morse fame is located. We were hoping to moor here, but no such luck, quite a few other boaters had had the same idea! So we went on and eventually found somewhere to moor beyond King's Lock.

The river is delightful here, it changes character altogether above Oxford. It's narrower, twistier, quieter and very rural. From Eynsham, just outside Oxford, to Lechlade, a journey of twenty-seven miles, there are no shops, just a few pubs and hamlets. One of the locks, Rushey Lock, has no proper road to it, just a track across fields.

Wednesday, 17th & Thursday 18th August
We moved on a couple of miles and met up with Margaret and Alastair on Hepburn. I have an arrangement with Margaret to go to the NEC to a quilting exhibition tomorrow. So we caught up with the gossip and had a coffee together, then we went indoors, as it was sooooo hot--not a complaint! It's nice to see the sun........... In the evening we had a drink together before they went to friends for a meal. This is Margaret and Alastair's home territory, they used to live at Faringdon before they went to live on the boat.

Thursday, 18th August
Margaret and I set off for a rendezvous near the bridge with two of Margaret's friends who came by car to pick us up and take us all to the NEC. We had a great day out. I've never been to a quilting exhibition before. There was a vast array of wonderful quilts which had been entered for a variety of competitions, and they were just fantastic. They quite took my breath away, they were so beautifully worked. It gave me lots of ideas, though I shall never be able to produce work anything like that. There was also lots of stalls selling all sorts of things a quilter might need, and quite a lot of things a quilter might not need! It was difficult not to be seduced in to spending an awful lot of money. Now I am all enthused with ideas and can't wait to get started on some new projects.

We travelled there and back through the Cotswolds, going through Burford, Stow-on-the-Wold and Moreton-in-the-Marsh, and it was a treat to see some of my favourite place again.