A disappointment and a usually magic mooring ...

Once again rain was forecast for late morning on Tuesday (11th) ...

so we were up and on our way by 7:45 in an attempt to get some miles done before the heavens opened again.

Continuing upstream as we approach Sonning Bridge with it's stationary early morning traffic I can see the tower of St Andrew's Church which we visited yesterday when I noticed that the mooring immediately before the bridge by the wooden railings is a free 24-hour space (our moorings were £10 per night which apparently goes to local charities).

Through the narrow(ish) bridge I notice that a boat, probably a cruiser, has lost part of its canvas hood.

As I was seeing George through Sonning Lock it started to drip with rain ...

and 10 minutes later it was lashing down ...

but it looks better ahead.

Left here for the Kennet and Avon Canal ... but not for us ...

we can see in the distance that Reading's Tesco moorings are practically empty ... the mooring charges are obviously deterring what I call 'community boats' from staying there permanently.

I probably take a picture of the above every time we come this way ... if I ignore the fact that it's a boat in the water, I could imagine it being a quaint country cottage in the woods!

The 'community boats' are still here but thankfully not on the shopping pontoon.

Heading for Caversham Lock landing and George drops me off to empty the lock and open the tail gates and as he comes in the lock keeper arrives for work and takes over so I get onboard and we're soon on our way again.

Looking back at Caversham Bridge ...

as we approach Reading Bridge built in 1923 ...

with its two elegant arches ...

and beautiful mouldings.

Another steel and glass monstrosity!

My Pinks and Lavender smell wonderful!

Not seen Grebe's nesting before

This is rather strange mooring, I'm assuming that the anchor is on the end of the bow rope as it wasn't moving in our wake at all.

I'm not at all sure which way the tree is going to fall, but I think the chap holding the rope needs to take care!

The Post Box is still there!

Keep to the right here round the island ...

A heron at this end and two cormorants at the other!

Here comes the disappointment!

This is Mapledurham Lock where we were expecting and looking forward to a bacon and mushroom bap. The lock appears to be on self service but as I walked up the lock keeper arrived to change the sign over and I thought that I'd go and order the food at the lock cafe ...

while he let these three narrowboats down ... I couldn't believe it ... the cafe was closed for refurbishment. George was gutted! On talking to the lockie discovered that he'd heard that when the new building opens they won't be doing hot food anymore ... just cream teas and such ... oh, I hope not!

Cruising through Pangbourne now and it's incredible that there are only two boats moored along here ... at other times it's impossible to find a space!

The rain comes down again as we approach Whitchurch Bridge and Lock but there was a lock keeper on duty and we were soon through.

At Pangbourne College Boat Club a training adventure was in process. The youngsters appeared to be dismantling home made rafts having presumably created them in the first place and racing them. Fun, but on such a cold day? Certainly not for me!