Tuesday 4 September 2018

Our visitors arrive ...

... bringing parcels!  New tv hard dish recorder, new LNB for the satellite dish and other bits and bobs we'd ordered online ...
Nephew Steve, Jude fiance to nephew Kenny and George.  Steve had played chauffeur this morning but found time to stay for a cuppa and a catchup.  We've not seen him for a while as he's spending much of his life nowadays in India so it was good to see him today albeit for a short time.  Happy travels Steve.
11:30 and we're away heading downstream.

The fishing match is in full swing and this guy here was ok about us having to switch our engine on to leave as he's a live-aboard on the Kennet and Avon Canal. He was pulling the fish out every few minutes, small ones but the weight all adds up I suppose, we wished him well.


 Through Whitchurch Lock and under the bridge we had to use the horn to alert these youngsters to our presence.
 I love this reach
 Jude took to the wheel like the proverbial duck to water ... that grin on her face says it all!
Approaching Mapledurham Lock where we put the bow and middle ropes only onto the end of the pontoon while we rid ourselves of the accumulated rubbish and ordered lunch of assorted bacon based delights from Tea on the Thames at the lock which we ate on the go.
 Passing the Princess Marina trip boat based in Caversham ...
 and approaching Caversham Bridge
 At Caversham Lock we could hear loud music and see lots of colourful people walking ...
 it's the 15th annual Reading Pride ...
 taking place on Kings Meadow
 Jude getting a better view!
 Poster seen by the mouth of the K&A canal ... Save Our Ancient Riverside (SOAR) read about it here 


 Busy on the river as we approach our destination
 and on the bank too ... hand feeding the wild fowl and a well behaved dog
 Arrived at our destination ... Sonning ... our favourite mooring was empty so we're soon tied up and Jude tries to get photos of Still Rockin' from between the trees.
 That'll do nicely!
After getting settled we walk on the towpath down to Sonning Lock where we stop for a cuppa.

Back at the boat we change for a very nice meal out at The Bull walking back in the still warm air to sit on deck with drinks, music, laughter and chat ...

What a great day in great company!

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