To Day 8 Sunday 18 April - 60 locks, 95 miles and only 1 cappuccino-(although I missed an opportunity for one in Wallingford but due to my tight schedule, more later, I couldn't wait for the multitude of coffee shops to open. )
Well we have had a couple of very busy days of 9 hours boating each day which has taken us from Thrupp on the Oxford canal via the River Thames to Theale on the Kennet & Avon canal. The weather has been excellent although the wind on the Thames was very cold - I was in 6 layers and gloves, but it was clear skys all the way. I had been focused on getting to the K&A and therefore only had a one day Thames licence which allows for 1 night but two full days on the river. I should have got a few more days to really enjoy the spring weather, I am in the dog house again- DOH!!! The stream warnings had all been taken off from the Thames but there was still a pronouced flow especially where it went through a narrow section, but no real mishaps. It was very interesting though going through the Oracle shopping centre in Reading. It was Saturday lunch time on a glorious spring day the crowds were out in force and much to Anne's dismay I continued to wave to the crowds like the Queen- great fun. It was also very slow as we must have been going against a 4mph current- the warning board at the first lock as you enter the K&A was indicating a reducing stream. We made it to above Theale swing bridge at 17.00 on Saturday and have not moved today Sunday. A day spent polishing and tlc for BB she deserves it.
Our mooring near Wallingford 07.15 with a lovely mist which the sun burnt off by 07.45, we also had a hard frost.
The same mooring the night before which was a glorious spring evening as the cold wind had dropped- it was only a 5 minute walk into the centre of Wallingford.
A barge used by the colleges to watch the rowing on the Thames
The old Abbey next to Godstow lock on the Thames.
The unimposing entrance to Dukes cut which leads to the Thames above Oxford.
