A sad day this morning, with the Queens funeral. We flew our Tassie flag at half mast, and watched most of the ceremony on TV. The crowds at Windsor were enormous, I’m sure the river was as busy as well.

It was only in the afternoon we were told that the locks were still being manned, so we pushed off and headed down the Rowing Regatta course. First under the Henley Bridge, with its 2 figureheads, and then Temple Island at the end of the course. Time for a lock ? It’s maned !

After that, with time getting on, we decided to moor up, but all the places we tried were too shallow or rocky, and we had to resort to the pole twice to get off. The light would go soon and we were both anxious, but decided to see if one more lock, Hurley, was still open. It was and the ever helpful lockie had some EA spots in the weir stream, so we are by ourselves on a landing stage. After the hustle and bustle of Henley it’s a welcome relief. Tomorrow Marlow, and old stomping ground of mine when I worked at Beaconsfield Garden Center.

Just a couple of hours cruising and locks before we moored up in Henley. There’s a cold wind blowing but as it’s a long W/E everybody is out in hire boats or having picnics. Our mooring is along the main promenade and we’re getting a lot of complimentary remarks, “ what a sweet little boat” or “that would do us”. Our neighbours fore and aft are narrowboats, a distinct minority in “floating gin palace” land.

We’ve had a wander into town to top up supplies, then a visit to the excellent River and Rowing Museum and their wonderful Wind in the Willows display. Suitable for all kids, big and small !

I’ve added 2 more classics to Prime Thymes library, perfect when moored up on a rainy day with a low battery. We will see what happens tomorrow, but will moor up by mid morning to watch the funeral. I’ll avoid Windsor till Wednesday, it’s going to be very crowded till then.

We are still meandering our way downstream on the Thames, going slowly to avoid Windsor on the 20th

We availed ourselves of the services, and topped up with diesel and water at Caversham Boat Services, an excellent stop just before the lock. Being a long W/E there are a lot more boats around. Nevertheless we’ve found an excellent spot to have a lazy afternoon after charging the batteries this morning.

Some of the properties were very impressive, and contrasted with some of the live aboard boats that seemed to be barely afloat.

I’ve had a walk along the towpath where we’re moored. Some lovely wild hops are scrambling thru the fences and up trees. Henley, and lots of rowers, tomorrow.

An easy 2 lock, couple of hours cruising day with pretty scenery through the Goring Gap.

Not much traffic on the river, but we did spot one Sea Otter who enthusiastically waved back. We also bumped into Treble Reel again, she’s heading back to Pyrford.

Apart from its pretty location Pangbourne was selected for a laundromat, pretty boring until I found out it was beside an H R Owen dealership for Aston Martin, Bentley and Lamborghini! The town was absolutely thick with them shooting up and down the little roads.

I’ve spent the rest of the day finishing the cut and polish of Prime Thyme, it’s done wonders.

A easy day with 2 locks and 3 hours cruising

We stopped at the excellent Chandlery store again for more polish, stainless steel grilles and other bits and bobs, including a replacement lump hammer for spike bashing !

Goring, and Streatley at the other end of the bridge, is a quaint village with the added bonus of the Thames flowing thru..

I’ve spent the rest of the day T Cutting and polishing Prime Thyme, halfway done, with lots of good comments. One lady stopped to chat, found out we were Tasmanian, and she was originally from New Zealand. She asked us round for afternoon tea, gave us the address and said come round in 30 minutes. H was unsure but round we went and found ourselves in a mansion with panoramic views and frontage onto the Thames. Home baked scones just for us were produced and we had a great chat. She had trekked around South America and visited a lot of places we had, so a highly enjoyable afternoon was had. We also have an exclusive private mooring should we ever visit again ! many thanks Carol for your hospitality.

Tomorrow sees another easy day to Pangbourne, and more polishing no doubt !

A relaxing day yesterday, and sunny weather with no rain ! Rico and Lorraine joined us for a picnic cruse an hour downstream. It was a bit of a struggle to find somewhere to moor, all expensive houses with “no mooring” signs or college row houses, but a tiny bit of grassy bank and a willow tree obliged. However I did forget my lump hammer to drive stakes in, so will pick it up today. We did go past a excellent Marina and got a few bits and pieces, including some cutting paste and wax. I started up on the cabin back and it’s restoring the colour well.

It was great to moor up behind Treble Reel, a small widebeam based at Pyrford, so we had lots to chat about, including the hammer confession, so you don’t have to call me out !

In the afternoon we wandered around Wallingford. Not much has changed since I worked at Ratcliffe Orchids and lived nearby. The lamb arcade has gained excellent tea rooms !

The town is a maze of narrow streets controlled by traffic lights drip feeding vehicles into the one way system. Queues a plenty.

Coming into Wallingford you pass this distinctive hill, which I saw from my bedroom window when living on the other side of it. Today we will meander down to the twin towns of Goring and Streatley, another old stamping ground with the Swan Hotel.

Another reasonably long day of 7 hours helming between Oxford and Wallingford. Leaving our moorings at Osney Lock we just missed a boat going downstream like us, she said she had had problems with the electric lock and gone manual, but it caused no problems for us. There are a number of buttons that have to be pressed in the correct order, and it cannot be rushed. Sure enough at the next lock she interrupted the operation to try and open the gates, when we came around the corner with another cruiser. My advice was to leave everything alone, and let it reset itself. Fortunately the lock keeper arrived, sorted the problem and put us thru, along with a stern but friendly lecture ! No more problems with the rest of the locks.

With persistent drizzle we topped up with water, used the services and motored onto Wallingford. Our friends guided us onto mooring, afternoon tea and then a pub dinner.
With the Queens funeral approaching they will go back home on Thursday, no camping will be available around Windsor. As usual my planning saw us going thru Windsor on the Monday, but boating notices indicate a lot of delays going thru and no mooring allowed. We shall have to speed up, or more probably slow down a bit. I’ll probably need fuel, and shopping, so with everything closed on the bank holiday it’s looking like a stopover in Pangbourne and Henley, possibly a short run up the Kennet and Avon Canal at Reading as well. A rest day now.

Eynsham lock was busy last afternoon as a hireboat fleet had to be back by early this morning. Whilst taking some photos of their boat I detected that Aussie twang….”G’Day mate” found out they were from Sydney.

The 24hour overnight stop worked well, very quiet with a bathroom. A full size shower is always appreciated now !

Again with not too many miles to do we had a leisurely start to the day. The rural nature continued with twists and turns, out of which popped SO Little Gem heading back to Lechlade.

The locks were all manned today, and are gradually increasing in size. We’ve never had to wait, so I think the days of water rationing are over down south.

There are lots of Swans, Canada Geese and other wildfowl to keep you company as you float along. The road noise increased with the Oxford Ring road bridge, typically with a traffic jam. Then around another corner was Godstow lock and it’s abbey ruins. In the distance Oxfords dreaming spires had been supplemented by cranes, and lots of them.

Oxford’s water meadows are extensive, after another hours cruising we entered suburbia, with a plethora of houses, bridges and run down continuous cruisers…always moored on the outskirts of cities as cheap housing. Being here before we knew there are good moorings between Osney lock and bridge, and soon we were settled in.

We’ve had a quick 10 minute walk into town, a few salads from M&S, and a new clock for Prime Thyme. We purchased this from a John Lewis store in the Centrepoint shopping centre.

Oxford had changed, this was an enormous complex under cover. Lots of people were a bit overwhelming after our rural interlude, time to retreat to our boat and hang the clock !

After no internet yesterday today will be a 2 day one !

We made an early start from Lechlade, taking advantage of the sunny morning after the usual torrential downpour overnight.

We shortly came across our first lock, just being prepared by a 60’ single hander. He explained the sluices to Hazel and we were off. Prime Thyme handles like a dream, and I successfully entered the lock with an inch to spare either side, and not touching the lock walls or other boat. I seem to be consistently doing this, so all worries about my skills being rusty are gone. Either that or Prime Thyme is one of those “good” boats to steer, she’s certainly not as squirrelly as T42.

The upper way is very rural, with tight turns and little infrastructure. We decided to stick with our new companion, as sharing the locks made things easier, and saved water.

After 7 hours cruising we decided to drop the pins at New Bridge. With a pub either end it was lively compared to the rest of the day, and the stone mellowed in the evening light.

Today started totally different, with a thick mist swirling around. At first the river remained rural, then gradually some desirable residences began to appear.

Eventually we reached Eynsham lock with all its facilities. After filling the water tank and emptying the Elsan, we took advantage of the town for lunch and shopping. As we are only a few hours from Oxford, and have 24hours free mooring, we’ll stay the night. We hope to catch up with Lazy Otters crew on Tuesday and partake of a proper canal, albeit briefly.

An early start saw us on the slipway awaiting Tony, rain and traffic delayed him, but he took great care in loading PT.

First the trailer is submerged, the boat is partly loaded, and trailed part way up the ramp. This allows water to drain from the flooding keel, then re submerged and pulled fully on.

Prime Thyme was dragged fully out, and allowed to drain whilst being strapped down. 30’ is the biggest boat Tony will move, and it’s a big rig, pulled by a specially adapted Landcruiser.

It was a wet drive to Lechlade, so Tony took his time, and we had no problems. Lechlade Marina gave us a warm welcome, and helped unload, much appreciated along with long shoreline lead. With our alternator giving further trouble we’ve decided to stay and sort it out. Lazy Otters crew turned up, so good to catch up !

I’ve just had a walk, between showers, and the Thames looks beautiful tonight, with the Cotswold stone buildings having a golden glow.