Great Bedwyn

Have had 3 wonderful days chugging from Newbury. We are travelling with nb Smile &  Wave,Heather and Mick, makes the double locks so much easier with 2 going up. We stayed at Kintbury where my very dear friend Alice, who lives in Basingstoke came to visit. She brought her Grandson, Jaydon.a typical 9year old who wanted to know everything! Had lunch and went for a wander to the Pub, Dundas Arms,very expensive meals. But had a drink in there garden and I picked up my prescription which Kate had posted there for me.

Whilst we wher saying our Goodbyes a horse drawn boat appeared and a young lad had to walk along the top of all the moored boats to avoid a riles,pots,laders and chimneys etc. 

From Kintbury to Hungerford again the weather is just fab. Very lovely town with a big Tesco. So shopped for England as we have Faye, Ryan & Chayse coming Fri/Sat and Gill & Mick Sat/Sun and no mor decent shops till Devises. Baz watched the England game and was very disappointed. What with that and the Cricket not doing too well. Polished the boat after dinner and it all looks good.

Hungerford to Great Bedwyn made good time. We had a Swing bridge over a lock,very interesting. As well as that there was a herd of young cows surrounding the lock. But with gentle persuasion they all moved! After watch Andy Murry win his game,and a little nap! I walked onto the village 1 shop, a Stonemasonry workshop, 2 pubs and a Bakery and an assortment of lovely thatched houses. 

Baz wanted to try his new electric Buffer on the brass mushroom feet on top of boat. They have come up really well. So after an Ice cream I had brought back settled back for a well earned beer and chat!

Today heading off to Wooton Rivers, if Baz ever wakes up! Hi Mick & Elly we started at 8. 30 yesterday!

Smile and Wave have 2 dogs on board little and large!

Arrived on Thursday 26th June again good moorings but there is not many of them! Spent a pleasent afternoon and believe it or not Mick, Baz decided it was time to have a go at putting a new TV Ariel up. We had brought it at Crick Boat Show, and has been sitting under the seats for months!. All went well but he could not find a female connector. So after all holes drilled and we had dinner we walked up to The Royal Oak for a pint. Very pretty village with loads of thatched roof houses. Pretty price too.

Friday moved on to Honey Street, as The Barge pub looked a better venue to meet up with Faye and family.

Got there just in time before it starred to rain,but it cleared up by afternoon and and we went for a walk calling into the Pub to have a nosey. Place to go to investigate Crop Circles. Bit of a Hippy place and a Camp site with Travellers etc. anyway, Baz had sorted the TV and I cleaned the boat through. Faye,Ryan,Chayse & Zelda all arrived about 7. Just after a big punch up outside the pub.

Had dinner and sat out on the back chatting. Chayse went to bed as good as gold ended the eve with Port & Brandy!

Decided to go on to Devizes Sat morn. As we had been awake since 5 got away after breakie about 8.30. ( all to much for Baz) moored up on lovely moorings in Devizes by the Wharf and Museum.  Gill and Mick where there to meet us,and Fleure and Andy arrived soon after. We had a wander around town,then the heavens opened so we popped into The Crown for a quickie.

The sun came out and we had a lovely BBQ on the towpath . Walked down to see the locks. Got caught in another downpour coming back.

Faye and family along with Andy & Fleur all headed home about 6 ish.

Gill and Mick stayed on till Sunday eve.

Went into town with Gill & Mick when we arrived at the Market Place there where 4 groups of Morris Dancers and a troup of Lady Cloggeres. Spent a pleasent hour watching. Then by chance chatted to a guy who had just renovated 4 lovely cottages that used to be a Glove factory. They where fab,right in town centre £170,000 want one!

Popped into Sainsbugs for supplies then back on boat for a cuppa. Then walked down to the Lock Cafe for an ice cream. After roast beef and Yorkshire pud, Gill & Mick headed home. Lovely weekend come back soon!

So Monday 30th June had a hard but enjoyable day going down Caen Hill Locks all 29,

Knocked when we got to Foxhanger ,lunch,shower and fell asleep.

Today 1st July headed off to Bradford on Avon,stopping at Seend Cleeve where Baz dumped our bestest Ariel ever! Yes Mick it's gone.

Newbury

Saturday 21st 

Caught the bus into town to check out the moorings in Newbury. They looked lovely on the park,unfortunately the Fair Ground had come to town Friday through to Monday so we guesses it would be a noisy one. Whilst in town we brought tickets to see The Band of the Corps of Royal Engineers, playing at the Corn Exchange. Baz was not to keen but he really enjoyed it!

We decided to get the bus back to the boat then get the train in for the eve. How fortuitous as we had just finished lunch when Dot and Gordon our friends from Stone breasted up.

After a cuppa we went up to The Swan for a couple. Lovely surprise everyone looks so bronzed and well.

Got home about 11 ish after another fab eve. I just love live entertainment especially men in uniform!

Sunday got off by 9ish went up the lockes with nb Lakelady very knowledgable guy who takes a boat from Great Bedwyn to Thatcham regularly for disabled children on 5 day holidays. Brought back memories of hols with David Frost on the Norfolk Broads. Happy Days.

We had only done 1 lock and I decided to walk to the next swing bridge. Someone shouted 'Hi Carol '. Could not believe my eyes it was Tony Ranger (Baz Best Man at our wedding) Andy ( Ian Andrews) and 2 friends cycling the K &  A towpath. We stopped for a chat and they came in to check out our home!

What a fab surprise still can not believe it.

Moored up at Top Lock just out of town. Plenty of people for me to chat to! Heather and Michael nb Wave & Smile popped in for a cuppa.

Thatcham

Friday 20th.

We have been on the K & A now for a couple of days.  Wednesday stopped at The Cunning Man. Tackling the double locks on our own is hard work. Meet a couple coming down at one lock. The bottom gates where leaking so bad we had to empty and start again! Had lunch at the pub,and very nice it was too. Heard a Cuckoo in the afternoon, have not heard one for ages.

Thursday decided to do a long day to get to Woolhampton.

Was away by 9 ish. So many swing bridges, some electric but slow going. We stopped for water etc at  Sheffield locks and had lunch. Had to stop at Aldermaston Wharfe for gas. (£27.50) most we have ever paid. So got to Woolhampton about 3.30. All the good moorings gone so decided to try and get in at the end. No joy we kept grounding. Then on the boats shouted he was off so we backed up into his spot. Result.

Weather again turned into a lovely eve and we had good TV to watch the England game. Disappointing result losing 2/1 to Uruguay.

We have meet up with nb Smile and Wave.  They came up and said 'Hi Carol, we know you make a good Lasagne' they had been following Elly's blog. So we had a chat and both going to Bath/Bristol so will meet up again. They where off earlier than us today (Friday) as meeting family in Newbury. 

We have just come along to Thatcham. Right by the railway but good moorings. Walked into the town and did a little shop in Waitrose. Yummy food there. May go into Newbury on Bus tomorrow as moorings are apparently at a premium in town and have been advised not to moor at Victoria Park on a Friday/Sat night. So may go up on Sunday.

Wallingford

Took about 4 hours to get to Wallingford. We had the wind behind us and the current with us so made fast time. Moored up! Eventually as could not get the back in so had to turn around then all ok with an audience. Went to the shops and a trip to Waitrose. Back to the boat, game of cards, then watched a film.

Lovely morning Tuesday so decided we would have a good day and get to Reading. Breeze got up  abit and all the lockies were ready and waiting for us so made it to Reading about 3pm. After tea and cake we went into the big Tesco Extra as the mooring is right next to the car park. Topped up with beer 30 cans for £16 bargain.

I got chatting to a lovely lady at the till who was very fascinated that we lived on a boat. 'Why not pop down and see us' I said. Well just as we where putting shopping away and this lady called, It was Jackie, she brought us some flowers and stayed for a chat. Loved the boat, such smashing folk you meet,that was until Baz called out 'Have you moved the pot of Marigolds from the roof' 'No, Why?'

We could not believe it some little tea leaf had buggered off with my flowers. Asked a couple of lads who where fishing and a Tesco employee in the Car Park if they had seen anyone carrying a big pot of Marigolds but nothing.

So have done a little 'Be Warned' poster to put up on the fence tomorrow when we leave.

Such is life we have moved all the other pots river side, so it's not just cows who like my plants!

Kennet and Avon tomorrow.

Abingdon

Arrived Friday13th in the just after lunch a little later than expected as there was a que at the water at Abingdon Lock. Whilst at water point Got chatting to a lovely couple who had a little daughter 9 months and had decided to buy a wide beam to live in London. They have a mooring near Limehouse and pay £12,000 a year, and council tax as it is residential. What a difference on the Thames!

Managed to get the last spot by the bridge in town,so many white crusers. 

Got chating to a couple who asked about the boat,and believe it or not they lived in Goring and play Bowles at Field Place, small world.

Went to the Nags Head in the eve. 1st group where good but the next lot just seem to be shouting into miics! Meet a couple just up from Devises on another wide beam.

Sat 14th - Happy Birthday to Elly our wonderful Aussie friend, now back down under, miss you Elly can not believe this time last year we where in London celebrating with you.

So Saturday went to the market in town brought a new bathroom cabinet from the shop we brought our picnic table last year. Sorted that out, sorted through stuff and now have 2 empty drawers, Baz says that want last!  Also found a guy who makes staine glass windows,we took his card as it is something we would like when we have a new Cratch made.Then went for a wander, having a cuppa onboard Nb Moongazer (the guys from the pub) done areally lovely job on their boat. But no dining area, always a compromise. Wide beam have so much more room!

Had a nice walk round the Abbey grounds an popped into Waitrose and got a curry. After dinner went up the Pub to watch the Footie. Not as many in the Pub as expected but a good atmosphere. Shame we lost 2/1 but Italy where good.

Sunday- Fathers Day not sure what to do today!

Well decided to make the most of a day on boat near town so have wanted some sort of shelves to put our dinner service on. So walked up to B&Q and brought 3 wooden shelves some new brass knobs and magnetic catches for bathroom. So that will keep Baz busy for the rest of the day, until the next football match!.

Weather still warm but overcast today. Plenty of people hiring boats of all description.

Oxford

Tuesday10th arrived into Oxford about 3pm where so lucky to get the only mooring spot left at Folly bridge. There does not seem to be a time restriction here, which is unusual so boats are not moving on. So went into town to sort out my 3phone contract as I ran out of Internet usage on my IPad last month. It appears as I am publishing photos as well as downloading some I used more data. Anyway changed contract and all good. Couple from next boat came in for drinks very pleasant

We'd went for a stroll round to the markets and good old Pounland got some bits and pieces. Got back had nice dinner and cards. Anne phoned asked if we could meet up tomorrow for lunch. Great what a nice surprise.

 Lots of rowers morning noon and night. 

About 12 midnight the boat behind us suddenly started up cruised offin the pitch dark did not appear to have lights on! We went to bed and in the morning he was back! Must have gone for water and did not want to loose his mooring spot.

Today, Thursday 12th had a lovely walk all round the college grounds stopping for tea at The Vault in St Mary's Church, then meet up with Anne and John in town centre went for lunch in The Swan and Castle had curry for lunch.

Came back to boat for tea and cake. Anne and Jon left and we did a quick shop and back boat. 

Baz looking forward to the Footie tonight.

Lechlade

We got there by 11 and where so lucky there was a food and drink festival in town! Result. 

Spent an hour or so wandering brought some chilli cashew nuts,then hit the beer tent.had some really sweet strong cider (like scrumpy).

Had a wander round the Antique shops thinking of Mick & Elly. Sampler in there for £400 and it wasn't that nice.

Back to the boat for lunch and unload our supplies. Then went for a lovely walk to the Round House, the beginning of the Thames. Stopped for a nice cream.

Just about to eat our dinner and a huge herd of cows came over to our boat. Quick as a flash Baz moved our my flower pots over to river side. They licked our boat and tried to bit the plastic cover shooed them off,but came back for more. Baz loosen the ropes to give us some distance.

6.am I was woken by the munching and liking sound. Went out the front to shoo them off and 2 of the silly things fell in. Not too deep about 4/5 foot so after about half hour they walked up to a lower bank and got out.

 So early start and had breakie chugged all the way back to The Ferryman, 20 miles today but the flow was with us so only took 6 hours.

Would suggest anyone coming up to Leclade is aware of shortage of moorings for Narrowboats. But Lechlade very pretty.

A Long Long Day

It was pouring down first thing so after several cups of tea left our moorings at Bablock Hythe about 11  30. The river is running quite fast but not too high on yellow boards.

Went through some delightful locks,the lockies generally live in the cottages and keep them lovely.

Stopped at one for lunch. Moorings seem to be abit scarce unless you want to have a meal in the Pub or cough up £25!

Anyway we chugged on trying a couple of times to moor to the bank, but the banks are too high. Ok for the white plastic crusers. And homes for many water voles we have seen.

Caught up with many rowing boats possibly practicing for Henley, no oars taken out this time!

Well it was 6 30 before we found a little corner by a bed of buttercups so after a shower, beer and chilli followed by more beer all good.

Watching England playing footie now.

On The Thames

Thurs 5th 

Chugged onto Thrupp,weather was lovely although abit windy. Got to Thrupp and watered up and emptied out then got a mooring more or less exactly where we where last year..Baz had a little doze whilst I had a wander. Went down the Jolly Boater in the eve got chatting to Kath & Phil from nb Kathleen Rose. They moor up in the Brinklow Arm where Parisian Star is now. They where going up to Lechlade beginning of The River Thames. So we came back for dinner and got the maps out.

Friday 6th set off to Lechlade!

Beautiful day again. Stopped of at Kidlington for supplies as it is very rural up to Lechlade no villages in easy reach of the river. Got to Dukes Cut where the RCT where busy working on the little lock gat at the Top. Remember that one Mick we nearly never saw it coming up! 

Picture above of the 1st lock on The Thames, just abit bigger than the canals!

Stopped at Kings Lock to get our license but it was not maned so off we went towards Eynsham Lock where we paid for 2 weeks on the Thames, gone up to £60 a week, never mind.

1st time this year saw a Little Eget lots of bird life. Lock keeper told us lots of Kingfishers and Barn Owls about so will keep our eyes open.

Lovely moorings just up by The Ferry Pub over looking a huge meadow. 

Whilst sitting out with tea and biscuits spoke to several locals who told us this was 5foot under flood in this winter can hardly believe it.

Decided to watch the DDay on BBC red button.  And we can't believe how many military air craft have gone over. Think we must be near a Milatry Base.

No owls yet but plenty of bugs!

Banbury again!

Chugged out Marina on Thursday and stayed overnight after 1st lock weather ok but poured down early eve,  

Friday 30th May. 

We got into Banbury about 11 time to shop and go to Post office to send Chayse a Fairy door from little craft shop in Cropredy.

Dianne and Trev arrived, they where later than expected as they forgot tickets to Twickenham to the Rugby on Sunday. Had to turn round after 40 miles and get them!

Had a wander to look at Banbury Cross and to sample the local ale. Then after dinner Baz and Trev watched the England game whilst Di and I played cards and chatted.

Sat 31st May

Poor Trev did not sleep too good so Sat we left Trev to catch up with a couple of hours kip and we went to the market. Brought some lovely Dahlias. Trev joined us for coffee then we went for a walk round Spiceball Park popping into the Garden Centre where I managed to acquire a new pot for my plants,free of charge ( bit cracked)

 Brought ticket to see Chapter Five at St Mary's Church in the eve.  Different but an enjoyable eve ending with a pint in The Olde Reindeer. Trev had a better night in our bedroom so up and a big cooked breakie before they left for Twickers,

Sunday 1st June

Mick and Elly coming so looking forward to seeing them for definitely the last time before we visit Australia!

Had a lovely afternoon although poor Mick was suffering abit from a good night with Lynn! Went to a Herb Garden centre very interesting so many varieties.

Ran out of internet as had copied photos with Dianne.

Monday moved out of town centre after filling with water which took ages as everyone seem to want water and we had to que. Then along to the bridge that is by Morrisons and big a big shop to last till we get to Oxford. moored just outside Ayno Wharfe.

Tuesday 3rd June fuelled up at. Ayno then chugged on to Lower Heyford where we are having a service first thing Wednesday . Bit of a hold up at Somerton deep lock (12'1") old boat in front of us got stuck coming out as the gate did not open fully. Once he was out and we were in Baz managed to free the gate a little as it was silted up. Lovely afternoon sat and read a new book picked up at Ayno. Lots of people admire our tractor seets.

We'd 4th June

It was raining when we woke and it has not stopped! Had our service all ok chugged on for about 1 hour or so and found a pretty place to moor up. Had lunch and stayed the rest of the day.