Visitors and strong flow ...

Yesterday (1st October) was a busy day as we were expecting visitors ... Sue and Vic ... the first time we've managed to meet up since leaving our respective winter moorings earlier this year.  It was great to see them again; to catch up on all that we've all been doing during the summer, over a roast dinner on Still Rockin' at Henley on Thames.

  But all too soon it was time to say goodnight and cheerio ...

 We woke this morning to a very chilly ... 

 but an eye watering glare from the sun!

 In the hope that life was stirring at No Problem I walked back to say another cheerio, but no sign at all ... we'll let them sleep.

 So, at 9:15 I'm walking over the very long weir bridge to Marsh Lock the first of three today

 I've not walked here before and saw that it has wonderful views ... here's George bringing Still Rockin' up the river slowly in what feels like a strong flow

 A pretty little area of water with a stop lock also from the bridge

Marsh Lock weir has nine sluices with two being open today, but water is also flowing over the others

 The lock keeper told me that the flow on the Thames has quadrupled in last few days but that it's still a long way off 'stream increasing'

 We shared the lock with a fisherman in his kayak 

 The Egyptian goose on the left was quaking loudly to his/her mate and I imagined that it was a conversation about that nosey swan coming too close and what he/she'd do if he didn't go away.

 It's a very pleasant cruise perusing the very beautiful properties ...

 with more being built in whatever space is available

 I know that this property is now several homes and wonder whether it was once just the one huge manor house

 The lock keeper at Marsh had told me that Shiplake Lock would be on self service today ... there's a boat descending ...

 and as we approached this cruiser cut across our bow to race us to the lock and we wondered if he was hoping to go up on his own ... but no, he pulled right up to the top gates and checked that there was enough space for us.  He closed the gate after we were in and set the lock in motion and as we rose to the top I stepped off SR and walked over to open and close the top gates.

 The reach between Shiplake and Sonning ...

 is really lovely, like a proper river with meandering bends and peace and quiet

 As we approached the 18th century Sonning Bridge the flow from the mill stream was pushing Still Rockin's bow to the left ...

 and George had to make a few quick changes of direction ...

to get Still Rockin' through without touching the sides!

Phew!

 Last lock of the day at Sonning which was manned and we were soon through and moored up in a lovely spot ...

 in the warm sunshine which has dried all my towels and tea cloths.

We're hoping to find out how to catch a bus from here into Reading for a spot of retail therapy tomorrow.