It didn't take long to get to our mooring on Tuesday (9th July)
it's peaceful here but there is some boat movement occasionally
Coming for a meal ...
but not ours!
We've not been idle either ... George has fitted a new shower as the old one had started to 'stick' on the thermostat so was difficult to change the temperature ... this one works a treat and looks nicer too!
Still Rockin' has had a bit of a make-over too ... scrubbed and polished inside and out. Cupboards and drawers sorted and lots of space made by vacuum bagging and storing under the bed ... as the title suggests ... changes are afoot.
Last rays of the sun ...
make the fields and trees glow
Magical!
We'll be returning to Abingdon tomorrow to finish off the outstanding tasks.
On Sunday morning (7th July) I was catching up the blogs and noticed that nb Seyellawas moored near Gailey only 10 minutes drive from where we were so I gave Geoff a call, they'd moved on a little and were now at Penkridge, no problem ... and said that we were on our way. It was so good to see Geoff and Margaret, it's a good while since we saw them last. Geoff set to and baked delicious white chocolate cookies which we ate warm with a cuppa while we had a good catchup. As Geoff says in his blog we'll be seeing them again soon.
From there we headed back to Abingdon where Still Rockin' was thankfully safe and sound. We'd left her on the visitor moorings above the lock for two nights without being attached to electricity, so we were pleased that the solar panels had kept everything working (fridge and freezer) and the batteries were fully charged.
At about 9pm we could hear lots of shouting and laughter and watched these youngster having fun in just above the lock.
A new information poster has been put up at the lock with lots of interesting information about the lock area including a list of lock keepers names with Richie, the current keeper's name at the end.
Did you know that Abingdon lays claim to be the oldest town in England?
The town has been occupied since the early-middle Iron Age (6th-8th century) and the Abbey was founded in Saxon Times (AD 676). The town may have been named after St Abba a 7th century saint or alternatively derive from 'Hill (dun) of a man (or woman) named Æbbe'. See here.
Monday late morning it was time for us to move on and make our way down to the lock
but held back for Salter's trip Boat Goring to go through first.
We're going to spend just one night on the town moorings while we do some shopping and take the hire care back to Didcot.
Abingdon really is a lovely town with lots of history and historic buildings ...
Abingdon Bridgeis actually two bridges connected by the island on which The Nags Head public house stands. It is also a bit of a misnomer as the actual name for what you can see above is Burford Bridge originally built in 1453 and rebuilt in 1927 ... Abingdon Bridge is out of the picture to the right and consists of six arches crossing the backwater and mill stream and was built between 1416 and 1422.
St Helen's, Abingdon's Parish Church and it's magnificent spire.
The earliest parts of the building date from the late 12th / early 13th century.
Here's George striding back to Still Rockin' after dropping off the rubbish above the lock.
Looking back on Tuesday morning after we'd cast off
and leave this lovely town ... just for a few days!
Our granddaughter Lucy has been a fan of Will and the People for several years and has travelled far and wide (including Amsterdam) to see them perform. The group are happy to do gigs for their fans in all sorts of places and Lucy had asked them on two occasions to play in the garden but had not been successful. Third time lucky they agreed ... so on Saturday July 6th 2019 ...
The lawn has been cut, the bbq shopping has been done, the broken fairy lights in the gazebo were taken down and replaced and it's now time to start the bbq before the band arrives ...
Lucy has her priorities right and offers the lads a beer when they arrive at about 16:30
and they set up their equipment
Today's audience is not as big as they're used to ... Will and the People's first album was released in 2012 and charted in mainland Europe and the band has enjoyed success in The Netherlands going into the top ten with 'Lion in the Morning Sun'.
Jamie, Will and Charlie tuning up while our son Mark bbq's!
The lads were friendly ... chatty with everyone and totally lovely young men.
Will and the People played until about 18:30 when we all partook of the wonderful food and had time to chat to these guys
19:15 and the music is done ... time for photos ...
Saying cheerio at 19:30 as the lads piled back onto their rather comfy transport ... they were heading now to Sheffield to perform another gig in a garden!
Lucy is bereft ... she can't believe what just happened today ... in her garden ... her most favourite band ... performed a fabulous selection of their songs ... a day to remember indeed!
You can listen to more of the band's music via their Facebook page HERE
We got back to Still Rockin' at Abingdon at about 6pm on Wednesday (3rd July) and the first task was to start on the laundry. We'd planned to have a fish and chip take-away for tea as there was still the unpacking and putting away to do, but in the end we walked down to the Nags Head and had our meal there ... quick and easy if a little more expensive!
On Thursday morning we were woken at 5:30 by squawks and bumps and footsteps on the roof as this young lady was trying to keep her distance from an amorous male below.
The day was spent moving Still Rockin' off the secure lock landing mooring to the visitor moorings above the lock and doing more wash loads ... the back deck started to look like a Chinese laundry! Fortunately it was a very warm day and it was all dry by lunch time. Now I've got a pile of ironing to do!
8:30 in the evening George spied balloons ...
It was an early night for us ... we're on the move again in the morning ... by car again ... watch this space ...
