Makes your heart soar!

 View from the bow yesterday morning

 Farmer turning the grass to dry in the sunshine

 … and the Red Kites arrived

At one point I counted 10 kites 

As the grass cutting was nearly finished the kites were coming in for the kill

 swooping and soaring taking the opportunity of a ‘meal’ attempting to escape the tractor spines

 The farmer has finished his job in this field today and came over to chat to us about his work, our life etc., very interesting and informative

 Photos by both George and I

 When the excitement was over and lunch was taken we went for a walk

 cooling off, but she didn’t like the waves coming at her when a boat went past causing a wash!

 We walked about four fields where the farmer had been working and Molly enjoyed jumping the rows of cut grass … and she’s still carrying that stick!

 Relaxing on the meadow when we got back to Still Rockin’ Molly is off her lead, very unusual indeed but it was so quiet and peaceful as George prepared the bbq for our evening meal.

 A beautiful sky at nine pm

… and this morning at 6:30 with a mist rising from the river and a temperature of just under 7 degrees it promises another lovely summer day!

Retracing our steps

Molly's updated medication has given her back a little more sight albeit distance not so much near vision and once again she can jump onto the back on the sofa (which is not against a wall) and stop on a sixpence.  She loves this position especially when the sun is on it!

 We left Pangbourne yesterday morning on a rather dull day with a strong wind

We’ve let the strong wind wind (turn) us and are now heading once again downstream to Mapledurham to use the sanitary station 

 The reach between Whitchurch and Mapledurham locks is beautiful even on a dull day

 The clouds are gathering as we leave Mapledurham Lock, wind once again and head back upstream.  

It was tough going against the flow with a strong head wind and to add to the excitement this was the scene as we approached Whitchurch bridge and lock.  We actually had to stop Still Rockin’ for the yellow canoe as she was having difficulty in the wind and flow trying to turn away from us.

As we left Whitchurch Lock we could see that the hire cruiser was also having difficulty tying up to the landing in the wind, there was a beautiful wooden slipper boat in front of them who were hanging onto their ropes with all their might to keep out of the way!








… and round the bend was trip boat Reading waiting to take his turn on the lock landing.

Our original intention today was to carry on cruising up to Cleeve for water but as we were passing Beale Park there were mooring available and since our water will last another couple of days ... just,  and it was near to lunch time and the wind still very strong we decided to call it a day …

 … and put pins in just a boat’s length behind where we’d been moored last weekend where soon after we arrived the farmer came to cut the grass.  I’m assuming he’ll be collecting it to use as silage. 

 Half past eight last evening and the sun is starting to set ...

 … giving us stunning views.

Pangbourne

On the day of the fishing match the river was really busy, as well as cruisers, narrowboats and wide beams there were

… rowers

… wild swimmers

… and a woman overboard even!

We wondered if this pigeon was injured or sick as he sat on our gunwale nearly all day.  He was on the boat behind us when we left the mooring

At the vehicle exit of Beale Park is the Racing and Riverboat Museum, just look at the size of those hinges!

Someone’s project by the museum

We left our peaceful mooring and cruised the short distance to Pangbourne

It was a dull day but did stay dry










Moored on Pangbourne Meadow.  

Yesterday it rained without a break, a really miserable day!

We shall be moving on again tomorrow.

Interactive River Thames Guide

I recently found this very useful App …
River Thames Guide from  Jeff Maynard.com
The app can be downloaded for iPad, iPhone and Androids

River Thames Guide features

Interactive map

Detailed map from the Thames source to the North Sea.

Overlay the map with any combination of boatyards, moorings, slipways, food and more.

'Where am I' will pinpoint your location on or near the river

Journey Planner

Sailing time and number of locks between any two of 74 non-tidal locations.

Lock table

Width, drop, length, sat nav, phone and more for every lock.

Bridge headways

The headway (height) of every bridge on the non-tidal Thames

River Conditions

Live info on the state of the non-tidal river.

Weather

Seven day forecast for selected river locations.

Includes calcualtion of nautical twilight for correct time to stow your ensign.

Boating Advice

How to prepare for your trip and what to do in an emergency.

Take a look, give it a try, I’m sure you’ll like it.