A new mooring for us!

We left our Beale Park mooring and this rather nifty Sea Otter boat on Monday morning 

… made our way through Goring Lock to Cleeve Lock where we half filled the water tank as we could see a mooring space just past the lock and there was a queue for the water point

The Swan Pedalo’s belong to the Scouts and this couple will have peddled 5.5 miles to Cleeve Lock where there was another Scout waiting to take over one of the positions. It is of course to raise funds for various charities.

This mooring is new to us and we like it. Cleeve Lock is just to the right of the middle distance.

It’s wide here with long views

Opposite our mooring a rather pleasant if large house, not the original I think; I wonder what it replaced.

We’re a couple of feet away from a sloping bank so have deployed the plank (the board, not George!) ensuring that it’s secure and will not move as boats pass by.

Off for a walk and saw this strange building

… and in the middle of nowhere this entertainment area, a covered dining space with seating, a bar and bbq too.  What a great space for a party!

Taken from the top end of the meadow Still Rockin’ is in the right of the picture below and to the left of the tudor-style building! A long way away!

Molly’s found a stick to chew!

Yesterday we had visitors and spent a pleasant couple of hours chatting to Ali and John

It was good to meet you both at last.  Happy Cruising!

A walk on the wild side

Final walk around Beale Park on Sunday evening the lowering light made the wild flowers stand out, a few I recognise but most I have no idea!  If you can identify any of theses I’d love to hear from you.

I know this one! Teasel

Taken about 19:45, not quite sunset yet

I think this is Birdsfoot Trefoil

I had to look this one up but I think it’s Silverweed.  It grew close(ish) to the ground like a large lush carpet.

Molly wants to know why I’m so close to the ground!

Beale Park Lake

This is Alchemilla Vulgaris the wild version of the garden plant Alchemilla Mollis or Lady’s Mantle as it is commonly known

Ooh, I know this one, but these blackberries were growing at knee height and I don’t pick any less than at least waist height! A treat to come this year.

This flower was so pretty but after an extensive online search I couldn’t find out what it is.

Fungi on a Willow Tree

Sunshine across the River Thames on what looks like the start of autumnal colours!

Yet another plant that I couldn’t find the name of!

I should know the plant on the right but can’t bring it to mind!

Thistle, don’t go near those spikes but what a vibrant colour it is!

We have thoroughly enjoyed our time at Beale Park this year especially being moored at the Lower Basildon end of the meadows.  We will probable visit once more as we leave the Thames later in the year.

Sun lounging!

We spent the very hot day yesterday on the loungers on the back deck of Still Rockin’ watching the world go by ...

 This really is taking your house with you!  I quite like it!

And on the land-locked side ...

 … work was continuing to bale and wrap the cut grass.  I wonder if we’ll see it all collected today?

 Back on the river … plenty of wind going up stream but it took a long time to tack back down although we did see him use a paddle too!

A conversation boat indeed!

 5pm and sun is well over the yardarm.  Another bbq too!

It was far too hot to walk ...

 … so we waited until 8pm

 … and a more bearable temperature

 Walking into the sunset.