dGOODBYE TO THE KENNET & AVON
FROM NEWBURY TO THE THAMES
Aug 4TH--10TH
Wednesday, 10th August
Well, we've really come back along the K&A at a tremendous lick!
We travelled for the first week with Sheridan and Ron,
and this week we've travelled with Jen and Bill.
It's been good to share the locks with friends,
and it's got us up and going in the mornings!
Bill is as treasure trove of information about engines.
Before we set off today, Trev and Bill went to Partco
and bought new fuel filters for less than half of what we normally pay.
We also bought a pair of walkie talkies from Argos,
as we think they'll be useful for contacting each other
when we're at locks, or when one of us has gone ahead on the bike to set the lock.
We set off in very hot and humid weather.
We had a rather alarming experience in one of the locks.
Jen and I were opening the paddles to let the water in
when Trev hooted the horn and shouted "Stop!".
Hooting the horn is the method Trev and I have agreed on
to alert each other if an emergency should arise whilst we're locking.
There is a lot of noise at the locks with the rush of the water,
and just shouting isn't always effective, we can't always hear each other.
So I knew that there was a real problem.
"Shut the paddles!" Trev shouted.
I knocked the ratchet off my paddle,
not an approved method of closing the paddle as it can damage it,
but in an emergency, anything is acceptable.
The boat was tilting and it was getting worse as the water level dropped.
We quickly let water back in to the lock and straightened the boat.
Then we tried to find out what had caused it.
There was nothing apparent.
So we slowly let the water out again, and this time the boat was OK.
Further investigation showed that there was a ledge below the water line
and we had been hooked up on that.
It was a course of bricks which protruded beyond the profile of the wall
but was not visible.
So that sorted out that little problem!
It was very hot today and humid and we were glad to moor up at Woolhampton.
Bill and Trev to sort out the Whispergen,
which we hadn't got going after running out of fuel yesterday.
The level in the pounds keeps fluctuating and we keep getting a list
when we moor, and then righting ourselves as someone lets more water down through a lock.
Today, the list was quite alarming as the water ran out,
and the bike fell over on the back deck and the drawers opened themselves!
We loosened the ropes to try and float again, but it was an uncomfortable feeling.
Thursday, 5th August
We woke up this morning to hear all of the drawers in the kitchen opening themselves!
This galvanised even Trev in to action.....he normally thinks I fuss unnecessarily
and we hastily dressed and slackened the ropes even more.
So we continued
We moored up for the night just before Theale Swing Bridge.
Bill and Trev changed an oil filter we never knew we had!
They had to get a move on, as there was a storm blowing up,
and they finished just before the heavens opened.
Friday, 6th August
Today we set off for Reading Gaol!
Well, far more important people than us have been there......
We had heard that it was a good place to stop before rejoining the Thames.
We had an uneventful day, you'll be disappointed to hear!
We went through the last few locks in company with Jen and Bill
and a 30' narrowboat which tucked in nicely behind Sweet William.
These locks are l..o..n...g!
Then we went through the centre of Reading.
It was very hot and there were crowds of people on the busy waterfront
all drinking, eating and enjoying the sun.
We really masn't gwamble!
The weather has been terrific.
We turned in to the loop where Reading Gaol is situated and moored up.
Jen and Bill pulled in behind us.
But Trev and I didn't like the urban environment, and decided to move on.
So we said goodbye to Jen and Bill, with promises to keep in touch
and hopefully meet next year.
We went through the last lock on the river, administered by the Environment Agency,
and, luxury after the last two hundred locks, it was operated for us, and out on to the Thames.
We turned left, as we had heard there was a Tesco there, and moorings.
Yes, there was a Tesco but the moorings were full.
So we moored a little way along the river, and went back to Tesco to shop.
One thing we learnt--if you lift a trolley over the metal grid
and then transfer your shopping in to it,
you can push your shopping back to the boat,
rather than having to make several back breaking journeys!
So we did just that, returning the trolley at the end.
It was a peaceful mooring, but, yet again, we grounded and had a list.
I was surprised that the boat would develop a list when we're on the Thames,
There's so much water I wouldn't have thought the level would drop so significantly.
The river is so clear, it's really inviting for a swim.
Trev and I nearly went in for a dip!
The list on the boat worsened to the point that even Trev had to acknowledge it was there!
So we decided to move.
We turned round in the middle of the river--what a treat!--
and set off downstream, and moved on down the Thames to moor just above Sonning Lock.
It was a very peaceful spot and we spent a quiet night.
Sunday, 8th August
Another exceedingly hot day!
But we masn't gramble--it's nice to see the san.......!
We might well have stayed another night,
but we were listing, and I'm a nuisance when that happens!
So we set off and went through three locks and moored at Henley-on-Thames.
For the first time on the Thames,
we had to pay for mooring--£5 for one night.
It was busy on the river today, it beIng Sunday.
We had to wait quite a while to get through the locks,
particularly as there was a big trip boat in front of us
which took the whole lock each time it went through.
The scenery was beautiful, some of the houses were incredible
A HOUSE ON THE THAMES
The river was wide and it was a lovely day.
We were moored very close to Henley town centre, in the spot where the regatta is held.
Monday, 9th August
We walked into Henley and did some shopping.
I used the internet at the library.
Then we set off again, towards London.
But the weather closed in as we travelled,
and the rain came down by the bucketful.
Trev and I were soaked to the skin, and we couldn't find anywhere to moor.
Everyone else was thinking of doing the same thing, and all the mooring spots were taken.
Eventually, after some miles, and the rain running in and out of our shoes,
down our necks and out of our anoraks, we found a spot at Bourne End.
As we pulled in, a valiant soul came out of hIs boat with an umbrella and helped us to moor.
Tuesday, 10th August
The rain continued through the night, and was still going strong when we woke up this morning.
However, at about 11.00 a.m., it stopped and we set off.
It became very hot as the day progressed.
We did sixteen miles and seven locks.
It's easy on the Thames, we're moving with the current, and the locks are done for us.
We moored up at Runnymede, having passed Windsor Castle,
The Waterside restaurant (home of the Roux brothers),
Eton and its college and some amazing waterside properties.
WINDSOR CASTLE
THE WATERSIDE RESTAURANT
We hung the washing out, like the gipsies we are.
There was a sign to an Italian Restaurant just by the boat,
so we had to check it out.
It was very good, actually!
Home Page
Next Page
Previous Page
Click here to return to the Summer 2004 Page