Further than we planned

No rush to leave our mooring outside the Bounty pub at Bourne End this mooring, we’re hoping to find a mooring under a quarter of a mile up river, but it was not to be unfortunately so we continued ...

If I had the opportunity (and funds) and if it were for sale, I would love to live in this house. Unpretentious, fabulous setting, uninterrupted views both over the river and to the high ground behind what could be better.

As is always the case, the big boys approach as the water narrows on a bend!

… and another is following us and is trying to overtake on our inside

This will be a job well done!

You know that it’s autumn when you see splashes of purple Asters

Doing the soft shoe shuffle perhaps?

Another disappointment as we reach Marlow Lock, all the moorings below the lock were full

… and this bit was far too shallow

The lock gates were open so we decided to move up

… but behind us was approaching a French Brothers trip boat and dutch barge Doris

… followed by two more dutch barges.

We did eventually manage to get the bow rope onto the end of the lock landing. For some reason the lock was taking an age to fill and empty twice before it would be our turn so I spent quite a while watching the world go by in this small space. Above are new(ish) apartments where Marlow Mill would once have operated ...

… and watching this female Mallard trying to catch, hold and eat a very small apple

… got it!

1¼ hours later we were through the lock where there was quite a queue of boats waiting to descend including nb Take Wine above. The chap at the bow waved and shouted ’It’s Still Rockin’’ and the lady at the helm called over that they are readers of the blog! Thank you guys!