Reading Tesco Moorings

No more "Shop and Go" ??

These signs appeared on the railings today.

No mention of 24 hours free.
Or of any "grace period".

YOU STOP.
YOU PAY.

October? Already?

 

“Rest is not idleness, and to lie sometimes on the grass under trees on a summer's day, listening to the murmur of the water, or watching the clouds float across the sky, is by no means a waste of time.” ― John Lubbock ~ The Use Of Life

 

 

 

 

 

Sheena took these. With her super snazzy phone.

After filling up with water at Cleeve lock, we stopped off at Goring, for a visit to the excellent vets there. Thankfully, we have a front fender, because I bounced off of the waterpoint coming in too fast downstream. I redeemed myself however, by doing a seemingly impossible left hand turn, around a "le boat" hireboat. Which left it's crew of holidaying Islraeli gentlemen, gobsmacked. They were all lined up, semi-panicing and ready to fend off. I cherish their look of open mouthed astonishment as I pulled it off.

Anyway, we needed to stop in Goring, because Bryn's got itchy feet. We think it's possibly due to a long grass allergy and we wanted to get him sorted and comfortable. 2 hours later and 130 English pounds lighter, we maximum revved our way down to Beale Park (a massive 3.5 miles an hour!). Passed George and Carol on Wb Still Rockin on the way.

On the technical front, a couple of bolts on our propshaft had worked themselves loose. Took 5 minutes to tighten them with my handy spanners. The fanbelt teeth are looking a bit worn. But it's continuing to chuck 14.22v into the batteries and I'm a bit loathe to change it until it absolutely needs doing. The annoying dribble of oil from the gearbox was solved by replacing the 'O' rings on the dipstick with a harder material (the name of which I forget). Only happened at high revs, and underway, with the deckboards down it took a while to discover the reason why it was happening. Apart from that, Mr Bukh's engine is still doing us proud.

Runsford Hole

Our view last night

Just bimbling our way slowly downstream again. Making the most of the warmth and the sunshine. The only boats that seem to be moving are the big hireboats (Le Boat, and Caversham cruisers mainly). Today, it's another pootle downstream to top up with water at Cleeve lock, then on to Beale park. Did I mention that I love the peace and quiet of this time of year? So, so precious.

We both spent years of our working lives living in London. Surrounded by nonstop traffic, petrol fumes, millions of people, and the incessant shriek of emergency sirens. Now we can go for days without being bothered by one other person. And the only noise we hear at night is the occasional hooting of an owl. it is utterly fabulous.

No Trolls

Sloooowly does it....

Snug and Comfy

All of the moorings above Days lock were completely stuffed when we came through on saturday. Well, it was late afternoon, and we should probably have known better. Maybe we will be able to get on there next year...

Thanks to Brian (Nb Harnser) for pointing out that we can moor just around the corner, on the mouth of the River Thame. A really snug and comfy fit under the bridge. Sometimes, being only 53ft has it's definite advantages. Had a great night's sleep, undisturbed by any trolls. Something of a novelty too. Had our picture taken so many times. I guess it's unusual to see a boat here..

Thames Treasures

Sheena's latest haul

 We found a dredged spoil heap. Which has been supplying Sheena with many an afternoon's amateur archeological entertainment. It's fun and fascinating to imagine how these artifacts ended up in the river. Where they deliberately thrown? Or did they fall overboard? No Saxon horde this year. But we will keep looking..




Misty morning at Abingdon Lock



I enjoy this time of year immensely. There is still no flow on the river. The going is easy. And there are plenty of moorings to go around. 99% of the ignorant 'in a hurry' folk have buggered off back to wherever it is that they came from. So, it really is quite peaceful out and about. It's also been good that Sheena has been able to enjoy a whole summer with us. Naturally, we miss Nora (Sheena's mum) and Sumo (our previous lab) very much. But we are also enjoying our new life chapter together.




4 in a bed

 Bryn has a nice folded duvet dog cushion to sleep on. Olly has his own little house. But, last night, they both decided to camp out on our bed. Notice me.. stuffed up under the gunwales. Not the best night's sleep ever.

Little Ols

Cute... while he's asleep.

You awake yet?

Sadly, there will be no lab party this year. Lesley, Joe, Floyd and Fletcher (Nb 'Yarwood') were in a hurry to get back to Thrupp for sunday. Lesley says they will be back on the river again next year. Hopefully, we will be able to bump into them then. Sorry we missed you, guys. Hope you had a nice time on the Thames.

Top Chap!

Delighted to see that great uncle Millican possessed the ability to keep a lit cigarette burning between his toes, while he sorted out his coffee and campfire with his two free hands. Priorities, sorted. The person who said that men are unable to multitask properly, are definitely misinformed. :)

Trying to track down the rest of the film footage. It's from a 30 second newsreel clip, apparently. Stored in the imperial war museum, because it was shot during the war years. They also have the budget to restore old film stock before it disintegrates forever and the images contained on it, lost.

HYETOLOGY

Today, we have seen seven different types of rain.

All Wetness Outside

Closed the hatches.
Lit the stove.
Snug and cosy.
Not a problem.

Comfy