We’d had some rain last night, but only drizzle in the morning, nevertheless for some reason I wanted to get back to Pyrford. This meant going around Desborough Island and then up the cut to the River Wey entrance. This is quite well hidden unless you know what to look for amongst a maze of rivers, weirs and channels

We had just entered Thames Lock when another Sea Otter arrived. They had been reading my posts but it was pure chance we met!

We proceeded up to Town Lock in Weybridge, and Coxes Lock with its fierce weir stream. I think Henton was glad of our help getting thru

Unfortunately upon leaving Coxes the battery/charge warning light and buzzer remained on after starting up. As we were so close to our home Marina we carried on thru New Haw lock and back to Pyrford. We passed our old boat T42 along the way. It was good to see her again, but she looked smaller than I remembered.

Once in the Marina I checked over things with the engineer, he’s thinking our alternator (used for charging batteries) has broken. He’s lent me a similar one which I installed this afternoon but no joy and the engineer is on holiday for a week. I’ve cleaned up and will think about it overnight…..as we want to cruise again asap….as we have 2 weeks left. It’s put a bit of a dampener on what should be a celebration of completing our first trip. Hazel and I have greatly enjoyed our time in Prime Thyme, and want some more…..tbc

We are flying the Tassie flag as normal now. It always gets a few curious stares, being a bit different from the normal ensign flag.

We shared the first couple of locks with a lovely couple in a widebeam, it’s name summed up life on the water for them.

Then it was onto Staines, for a stop and shopping at the Sainsburys superstore. The next couple of reaches are well populated, so you are viewing everybody’s back garden, most of them immaculate.

There are also plenty of houseboats, or rather house barges about.

Then onto very familiar territory to me, Chertsey and Weybridge, where the River Wey joins the Thames.

We’ve carried on downstream a bit and dropped our pins in the original Desborough river course, rather than the cut. It’s a lovely sunny afternoon, we’ll stay the night and see what the next couple of days weather is like. We can then decide to carry on down the Thames to Hampton Court or retreat up the Wey to Pyrford and home.

Another great day, starting thru Cliveden Reach and then thru Bray. I thought Goring and Henley had some nice houses, but Bray must be millionaires row on the Thames. House after house outdoing each other

Some of the locks are impressive as well, catering for large ferries. Probably the most famous being Boulters, but we liked some of the smaller ones upstream from Oxford. All the lock keepers have been friendly, and are so patient, trying to teach “Le Boat” hirers how to steer their large floating blocks of flats. They usually end up sideways, so we give them plenty of room and don’t enter the lock until under ropes.

All too soon the amount of road and air noise increased, we must be nearing Windsor….then the Duck appeared during our lunch break.

Thru another lock and there was Windsor Castle, and the town. Masses of people still milling around, and little good mooring, so we decided to carry on, especially as the last time coming down the Thames we’d had a day there. It looked sad, lots of mobile cranes and half packed camp grounds still much in evidence. On to Runnymede, and Magna Carta.

After 6.5 hours of cruising I was ready to accept the first decent mooring, and found a secluded spot or was it….I can’t cross the road to the JFK, Magna Carta Sites due to the footpath being fenced off….also we appear to be moored at the end of Heathrow’s runway…..as there are huge jets roaring overhead…..never mind, I’m sure I’ll still sleep well. Tomorrow we will decide wether to carry on to Hampton Court, or just turn back up the Wey……yes after almost 3 weeks boating we’ve covered what we did by car in 2.5 hours ! It’s called SLOW BOATING and we love it !

After a very peaceful night we set off on one of the best bits of the Thames, I’m my opinion that is. First up Bisham Abbey, then we had the Thames to ourselves as we drifted along.

Then onto Marlow, which has a good set up for boaters with mooring near the town. The town is most attractive, has some smart shops and a Sainsburys for shopping. Hazel had done some research, and found “Lady Sew and Sew”, Rowan sewing book purchased along with 12 balls of felted tweed.

Not wishing to repeat yesterdays late mooring we cruised past Bourne End and moored up for lunch at Cookham. It’s such a nice spot we’ll stay the night. I’ve had a walk into town and found the 11th Century Church, well known in Spencer paintings, along with flowers everywhere.

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.