Monday 11 May 2020

Flying boats ...

The day after moving to our new mooring Hambleden Marina started to crane the cruisers which are stored on the 'hard' back into the water ... 


boaters out there will know how it feels when seeing your boat flying through the air and with heart in your mouth express such relief when it's gently laid down safely in the water.

George was busy so I'm off for a walk on my own today (Tuesday 5th May) ...



Our winter mooring above is deserted but not for long

It's another hot day and as I reach Rotten Row the scent of the cow parsley and hawthorn blossom together with faint overtones of lilac  was quite heady ... I do so love the spring!
The photo above and below were taken at the point half way up the steep hill where I catch my breath both physically and mentally as I take in the amazing views over the Thames valley.

Back at the marina there are now six cruisers where Still Rockin' and Gypsy Willow were this time yesterday!






Wednesday and the craning continues ...






and as we go for our walk we can actually see the grassy bank for the first time ever.

 We're doing our usual walk but today via the meadow where the water which has been fast flowing all winter has now practically dried up and the sheep are back to drinking from the trough. 





Female pheasant strutting across the meadow ahead of us ...





and sheep with their lambs shelter from the hot sun under the hawthorn ...
 and past the very pretty Yew Tree Cottage near the bottom of Rotten Row on our way home ...
where we've now got cruiser neighbours.

2 comments:

Vallypee said...

Oh Carol, what lovely scenery and photos. I love these. Are cruisers allowed out on the river now? Is this a sign that lockdown is being lifted somewhat?

Carol said...

No, I'm afraid not Val.
Most of the cruisers are moored at the marina all year round, every year and being cruisers are usually taken out of the water at the end of the summer season and stored on the land, being relaunched into the mill and weir streams each spring. We winter moorers then move into the mill stream in November.
A few winter moorers have moved off and I've no idea where they've gone, there's a lot of locks which for one reason or another cannot be navigated, sunken boats, damaged lock gates, no suitable winding mechanism etc. (all locks during the lockdown are on self wind!). The EA, so far have not lifted any of the covid-19 rules although the PM has relaxed a few yesterday. We will await to hear how that will effect us.
We hopefully will be able to stay here in the marina until we are back to 'normal' maybe even going directly into winter mooring again in November,