Tuesday 31 July 2012

Heart stopping locks

We set off this morning at about 09:30 and it was overcast but was supposed to be a dry day.

The first lock of the day was Marsh Lock and there were I think four boats coming in; Moore 2 Life and ourselves were told to go to the end bollard in the lock.  I certainly don’t like this position because when the gates start to open the boat generally moves forward and it’s sometimes difficult to hold the boat back.  That is what happened today with Ann (M2L) shouting to the lock keeper that the gates were going to go close onto her boat, I also called up to say stop the gates as our bow button was also going past the safe area and into the space where the open gates sit.  The lock keeper was quick to react and no harm was done except that both Ann and I had quite a scare.
 This is the first house boat I’ve seen so far on the Thames this time

Henley Rowing Club established in 1839!





Big boats including The New Orleans Steam Paddle boat at their Henley Mooring 






St Mary’s Church Henley ...






... and Henley Bridge ...





... through which we can see where the Henley Regatta takes place
 Such an attractive waterside town





A bit different from the last time we came this way




Moore 2 Life about to pass in front of Temple Island ... 



 The Temple was built in 1771 by James Wyatt as a fishing lodge!

 But I can’t find out whose statue this is










The cormorants are happy there are is no mooring here - it’s their drying point




She’s keeping these chicks in line!




Understated elegance




Entering Hambledon Lock ...



... and passing some unusual properties ...






Danesfield House, built at the turn of the 20th century by a Manchester millionaire





Just as well it wasn’t a sweltering day there was no-one to serve us with an ice cream!


The approach to Hurley Lock is under this footbridge on a bend and as Moore 2 Life entered the lock must have just emptied because ...






... a whole row of big cruisers came towards and past him ...



... some of them barely able to get under the bridge - we stopped, reversed and waited while they went past us we were in no hurry to be squeezed in that bridge.






Safely in the lock and descending and out the other side ...




... and another of those footbridges on a bend but thank goodness no boats coming from the other direction!




Hurley is soon followed by Temple Lock - sharp left under the footbridge - and it’s now absolutely chucking it down!






Looks as they’re going to be doing some celebrating here
 All Saints Church and Marlow Suspension Bridge






a MacDonalds Hotel!
Marlow Lock and the second incident of the day - a really scary one indeed for Ann.
As the water descended in the lock Ann was standing in the well deck (at front of boat) holding the boat steady with the ropes round the bollards as you can see in the photo below ...

... suddenly Moore 2 Life became stuck as if it had caught on the wall of the lock and the boat started to tip - alarmingly. Ann was screaming and hanging onto the rope even tighter and I called to the lockie to stop - he also reacted swiftly and reversed the flow, letting water back into the lock - suddenly the boat righted itself with such a splash - it was absolutely terrifying - for me and so much worse for Ann, but it took a little while for Ann to get her breath back. A couple of dishes fell from the kitchen side during the incident but didn’t even break!






I could smell these roses from a couple of miles away!



Our mooring for tonight is at Bourne End which was certainly much quieter and wetter than last time see the pictures here
swimmers opposite the mooring
 Looking towards the Bourne End Marina from our moorings ...

... and looking at our moorings from the marina!

The day turned out to be rather wet but as we moored up the sun did come out for a short time, I hope that tomorrow will be dry(er)!

Monday 30 July 2012

After a fantastic weekend ...

It was quite a late start for everyone on Saturday after staying up to watch the 2012 Olympic Opening Ceremony ...
 ... but the hounds still needed to be walked in the afternoon ...







Coot and baby coot by Caversham Weir 





A Dunkirk boat 1940 moored on Christchurch Meadow





‘Our’ Molly is getting used to getting her feet wet ... but only her feet!



The view from Caversham Bridge on the way back to the boats ...





... where down below is a familiar sight but on the canals!











On Saturday evening the Del and Al (Derwent 6), Geoff and Mags (Seyella), Chas and Ann (Moore 2 Life) and George and I met on the towpath by Rock n Roll for drinks and nibbles. Del brought out his guitar and he and Al kept us entertained with songs that we could all join in with, several of which had been written by themselves, both lyrics and music - and another good time was had by all!

Photo ‘borrowed’ from Derwent6 blog.

Sunday morning Tom from NB Waiouru came to call and while he was chatting with George, Sheila and her husband (I’m really sorry, I’m hopeless with names) who have been reading our blog for years also made themselves known to me - it's really lovely to meet our readers and it was a shame that we had to cut the visits short as we were on our way to Tesco before the rain came.



Sunday evening we all spent time on Moore 2 Life for a few more bevies and nibbles as tomorrow we go our separate ways - another fantastic evening!

 Del and Al were the first to leave this morning ... they’re turning off the Thames onto the Kennet and Avon canal for a few days ... and will probably catch up with us after the weekend - see you soon guys!

 Next to pull the pins was Ann and Chas, they need to do a big shop at Tesco before carrying on and once that’s done will call us and we’ll then up sticks and drop down Caversham Lock to join them - we will continue down the Thames.

 Geoff and Mags next - we will surely miss them both and Megs as they are heading back upstream and off the River Thames.  Geoff is competing in the Great North Run in September (if you’ve not sponsored him yet (for Macmillan Cancer Support) the link is here.

 Cheerio you two ... take care of yourselves and each other - see you later in the year.





The sound of a saxaphone caught my attention as we waited for the call from Ann to say that her cupboards were now full ...  




... and now we’re on our way and the great mooring on the Thames Promenade is now empty - we shall definitely moor there again.




Approaching Caversham Bridge and we spy the ferry which transports pedestrians to and from Fry Island which has no other access but by water...






... and opposite are these very smart apartments overlooking the river






Passing the entrance to the Kennet and Avon Canal ... 




... and Moore 2 Life is now following us ...







The river traffic tends to get bigger as we continue downstream 
 Rock n Roll and Moore 2 Life waiting for Sonning Lock ...







... lovely gardens




This narrowboat approached Sonning road bridge from the wrong side of the river but fortunately George saw it in time and slowed down for him to come through.
 The New Orleans Paddle Steamer came by with live music playing ...








... and a real paddle wheel behind!







enjoying the sunshine





... lots of spectacular ... 





... property ...






... line the river in the Shiplake area ...






... this one with these unusual musical statues in the garden 
We’ve moored up in a cosy little hollow opposite Poplar Eyot and here comes Moore 2 Life who is now paired up with us ‘top-to-tail’ as it were!

I am shattered and I can feel an early night coming on - early start tomorrow - quite a long way to go.