A meandering cruise

We’d waited long enough and left at 8:30 without seeing the mooring warden for the £5 overnight mooring fee at Wallingford, his loss our gain!

Leave the green bouy on the right going upstream!

… particularly here, if you don’t you may very well end up in the weir stream!  All the weir sluices are open here. The river is quite low, perhaps we need more rain … not!

Leaving the first lock of the day at Benson

Although it can no longer be seen from the River Thames there’s been a manor house at Rush Court since the 1280’s at least

Within the grounds these days are a Nursing Home, Bright well Vineyard, a walled garden ...

… and lots and lots of history and intrigue!

The view from the river has I’m sure changed much over the centuries.

Teepees in the woods 

 … as we approach Shillingford Bridge

 What stunning views these properties have over the river, I can never resist this picture whenever we pass here

 Where the River Thame joins the River Thames

… which meanders this way

… and that way as we cruise towards Oxford

If you don’t look closely or don’t know this stretch of the Thames it would be difficult to see the lock sign in the trees on this right angle bend

… which leads us to a small landing stage for the sanitary station and refuse bins.  Unfortunately the Elsan disposal was out of order so we’ll have to change our plans a little.

 Little Wittenham Bridge leading to

Days Lock as we follow a small cruiser in

 … and this narrowboat follows us … a novice boater we think

 … as he smashed into Still Rockin’s rear end taking the paint back to the bare metal.  George was not at all happy!

 How lucky are we!  A great mooring just there

… with views of the lock and Wittenden Clump in the background

… and open field looking towards the lovely village of Dorchester

 A few minutes after we’d secured our ropes working boats

 … came by from the Basingstoke Canal boat meeting

Renfrew and Chertsey

Onwards to Wallingford

 By 8 yesterday morning we’d left our quiet mooring above Cleeve Lock, winded (turned) moored at the water point, filled the tank, winded again and were heading west.

 Five miles no locks to Wallingford, nice!

 Wallingford bypass, nearly there!

 This property gets more dilapidated every year, such a shame. It looks occupied, there are curtains at the windows and furniture can be seen inside.

Approaching Wallingford Bridge … not quite enough room for us in front of that cruiser, and ...

… there’s no chance of a mooring on the left through the bridge ...

 … but hang on, this looks promising.  I called out to the guy at the tiller to ask if he’d just left a mooring space … yes!!

Lovely view of Wallingford riverside from here but we didn’t stay long. There’s a water outfall near the rear of Still Rockin’ and after an hour or so we decided we couldn’t stand that noise all day and all night, there’s also the paddling and swimming pool on this side of the river which can become noisy too, so as soon as the cruisers started making a move on the other side we skipped over there.  It’s not so easy to get off the boat as the sidings are a bit high but it’s certainly quieter. The remainder of the day was spent stocking up the fridge and wine cupboard and relaxing.

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.