On the Thames to Abingdon

Monday 2nd September

As we went down to Osney Lock we were dismayed to see that Caxton had arrived last night and we hadn’t noticed.  No-one seemed to be on board – were you out walking the dogs or still in bed?  Really sorry to have missed you!

We’ve never cruised on the Thames before so found the ease of these locks quite amazing.  We passed the memorial to Edgar Wilson who lost his life in 1889 while saving two boys (bit of camera shake there unfortunately);

There was just one lone sculler out as we passed the rowing boathouses;

There was some inventive graffiti about – I honestly though for a moment that this monster was cleaning its teeth …..

Here is the attractive approach to Iffley Lock;

and this bull’s head or possibly a boar (why? is it supposed to be a mooring ring? we couldn’t read the inscription underneath).

Here is our first posh boathouse nestling in the trees;

We have seen the trip boat Goring several times;

We needed to take on water at Abingdon, but had to wait on the 24 hour mooring for the hotel boat Tranquil Rose to do so – their water tanks must be immense!  They are on their way from Oxford to London and then up the GUC, collecting and dropping off their guests who join them for varying lengths of time.  It doesn’t sound as though their beds are any larger than on a narrowboat – the passenger I was chatting to said she was going to book a double room next time for a bigger bed!  After watering, emptying cassette and disposing of rubbish we decided to pull back to the 24 hour mooring again for lunch. 

When we eventually went down the lock, we decided to take the first mooring we could find, which was opposite the weir pool.  We took the footpath over the weir, snapping Chuffed as we crossed, noticing that every other mooring spot we could see seemed to be taken -

and strolled through the Abbey Gardens to the town.  It was too hot to spend much time in the sun though.

We enjoyed the architecture in the town and got a few bits of shopping before walking back to Chuffed along the river.  Later in the afternoon we saw this interesting little boat on its way back to Abingdon;

Dave took the bike and cycled up to B&Q for a few bits and pieces – it was rush hour and it was gridlock, with cars in the cycle lanes and generally rather horrible.  At least we have a fab mooring!

8 and a half miles, 4 river locks.