Hallmark has been 'overnighting' at the Thames and Kennet Marina.
But I am back from London and off for a couple more days of cruising.
Thursday was a no rush day.
Or was it the two pints of cider I drank in The Boaters at Thames and Kennet Marina.
First a bit of maintance.
The stem tube greaser needed refiling. This seemed to stop the small drips for a while.
I also took some time to pump out the engine well.
At 10:15 I slowly backed Hallmark off the mooring and turned her round and headed through the rows and rows of boats. This all went better than expected.
It's a short distance to the rather short Caversham Lock
Then its the two Reading bridges.
Looking back at Caversham Bridge shows Reading and the Thames at its best.
The reach above Caversham is quite long and has lots of small island to pass on the way. Its always clear which side to pass unlike in some other place.
Mapledurham Lock is very very fierce. The top sluices are above the water line and the water roars in. I had to really hold on tight to the ropes. The weir is long and much calmer!
The lock has a cafe which sells hot food But sadly I could not find a mooring so I could not go back, despite hunger pains!
Pangbourne meadows are just before Whitchurch Toll Bridge and lock
They look like good moorings.
However I pushed on towards Beale Park where I thought I would use the banks where many IWA visitors stayed during last year's National Festival.
The moorings are really good with loads of reeds beds across the tow path
I walked the mile and half back to Pangbourne It's great little place
Plenty of non-chain coffee shops and some specialist food shops.
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