Wallingford to Abingdon

5 Locks:  13.5 miles

The rowing skiffs and there coaches were up early,
They seemed to make enorous waves and toss even well tied narrow boats around.

It was going to be a busy day.
But I delayed casting off till 9:15.
The intentions was five locks and around 14 miles.
Maybe the longest run of this trip.
During the morning there are plenty of abandoned pill boxes.
All there to protect RAF Benson.

For what seems like two thirds of the day you seem to see Didcot Power Station from every side and angle.

It was a also day of bridges.
The best was an amazing ancient arched one and the worst a terrible bow span girder bridge.
However the Appleford Railway Bridge is far older than it looks as it dates from 1843.



 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Most locks were easy...............except Culham Lock
When Hallmark arrived was on self-service
When I opened the gate I had second thoughts It's rise and fall was 7 foot 11 inches
By all counts the second deepest on the Thames.
I had sandwich to think about it...............
Then went for it.
Slowly slowly aiming for the steps and then up the front and middle ropes.
It was a great acheivement!
At last Abingdon comes into sight.
First the old entrance to the Wilts and Berks Canal and then a famous old watering hole.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Another great day full of memories.
Nights begins to fall.

Goring to Wallingford

1 locks: 6.0 miles

I had left Hallmark at Goring for three nights to get back to London.
All was safe on my return.

Maggie made an enormous detour to drop me off at Goring on her way to Southampton.
She certainly missed her first race.
I decided to stay at Goring to be entertained by a number of local Morris groups.
They were tremendous.

Whilst getting Hallmark ready for the off there was very loud splash and shouting.
A man had slipped off the back of his gin palace.
Other than being soaked through thankfully no other damage was done.
An eventful start to thye day!
I had a short day planned Just one lock and about six miles I was heading for Wallingford.
Cleeve lock, has the shortest pound on the Thames and it is followed by the longest to Benson Lock.
On the way tere is some amazing countryside.

Wallingford has an amazing bridge with 17 arches however only five span the river






 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
So this year I have stopped at Wallingford for the night and I am off to explore the town.

Beale Park to Goring Lock

2 locks: 6.5 miles

Sadly I did not have time to explore Beale Park and its nature reserve and rare breeds farms.  As they say next time!  At least I stopped this year...........
It was a bit of a cold start to the day and mist hung over both banks.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
You soon approach the amazing Brunel railway bridge at Gatehampton.
It is built at such and angle to the river.  The mansion at Basildon Park is some way back from the river but nearer is a large building called the Grotto.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Before too long Goring Lock is upon you and before the lock are plenty of vistor moorings, But I am headed for a booked space around the back of the lock.
I am a little early as it does not need to be vacated until 12.00 noon.  The occupients of gin palace currently moored are waiting the Royal wedding! 
I have to meander arround above the lock and wait and dri9ft nearly to Cleve Lock which is less than half a mile away.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Reading to Beale Park

3 lock: 8 miles


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.

Reading to the Thames and Kennet Marina

0 locks:  0.5 miles

Time to move on from my mooring at the Tesco Riverside store in Reading.
I am going back to London for a few days and need somewhere 'safer' to keep Hallmark.
The Tesco mooring has been great, but I am not sure it is the best place to leave an 'unattended' boat for a couple of days.
So I am going to moor up at the Thames and Kennet Marine on the Caversham side of the river.
The marina is in a nature reserve and has sections for wide beam barges, narrow boats and cruisers.

It is an enormous place with a big wide entrance that is easy to turn into.
Inside there are lines and lines of boats big and small.

The great thing is they welcome 'short term' moorers and only charge £10 per night.
First some diesel and some water and then off to my berth for two nights.
Hallmark needs 49 litres but it is the first fill of the trip.

The facilities look good with a bar and a cafe.
I'll try these on Wednesday night.
Getting on to the mooring was relatively easy and I was given good directions.
Tieing up needed a bit of thought but it was soon done and the Brompton bike was out on the pontoon and before long I was on the 3.5 mile cycle into Reading.

Sonning Bridge to Riverside Reading

1 lock:  3.0 miles

It is an 8.00am start.
Another bright sunny day.
First its Sonning Bridge which dates from the 17th century.
It is so picturesque with its eleven arches.
In the morning light it looks maginicant.
I have remembered that the middle one is the only one that is navigable.

Sonning Lock is aslo magic.  Such great flowers and amazingly tidy.
The tea shop at the lock is a must visit.
Luckily I am joined by a hire boat 'racing' back to its base so doing the lock is simple.
After the lock the river is lined by trees and reeds but then suddenly you begin the approach to Reading with its business parks sometimes called our Silcon valley,

Suddenly the River Kennet's mouth appears after the gas holder. There is  a sign showing this is the way to Bristol via the Kennet and Avon canal.

Next is the Tesco riverside store which is amazing well hidden by Chestnut trees just coming into flower.
This is where Hallmark will spend Monday night.

As well as a bit of shopping I gave Hallmark a good wash as the Henley storm had covered it with yellow dust Then a late a bacon and egg sandwich and a walk down the Thames and back up the Kennet and then a bit of chilling out watching the world (or is it the boats) go by.

Henley to Sonning Bridge

1 locks: 6.0 miles

I was going to spend a second night in Henley and then go all the way to Reading.
However, after a hearty breakfast cooked on Hallmark decided to go to Shiplake or maybe Sonning.
First under Henley Bridge and a look back at the town.

Then less than a mile to Marsh Lock where the lock is quite difficult to locate because of many double parked cruisers.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Chugged up through Shiplake and the Wargrave on to near Sonning where I stayed night on wonderful peaceful mooring under the trees near Sonning Bridge.
The mooring was £10 a night on land owned by Uri Geller, the self-proclaimed mystifier who bent spoons!

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Having brought some chicken in Henley I decide to cook a chicken curry.  Great home made food!
Then sat on the back deck of Hallmark and watched the sun go down through the trees opposite.