Don’t know which way is up!

Thursday morning 6 o’clock, an early start today we need to fill the good tank and empty the nasties!

9:15 and jobs done George winds (turns) Still Rockin'

… and we re-enter Abingdon Lock, we’ve got time to kill so are retracing our steps

This notice made us smile but at least it’s clear for novice boaters!

Red floaty things!

We say cheerio to Peter and Karin on houseboat Gypsy Willow

The River Thames between Wallingford and Abingdon is a huge horseshoe shape and we pass Didcot Power Station at least 6 times sometimes on the left bank, sometimes on the right!

Collecting the crayfish traps from the riverbank

The chap on the narrowboat said that the’d had an ok harvest this morning.

George quoting the mantra ‘leave the green bouys on the right when going upstream’ and this threw him a bit until I pointed out we were now going downstream!  

I tell you, we don’t know which way is up at the moment!

It’s not long before we can see Wittenham Clumps in the distance

Could he be waiting for someone to open that gate so that he could meet up with his pals on the other side perhaps?

We’re now back at Dorchester moored about a mile above Day’s Lock

… with lots of open space on the meadow

… a good view upstream










… and downstream

… of the wide river just here

… and we can still see those chimneys!

I am astounded at these pictures of the sunset here at just after 19:30.  These have not been enlarged or edited in any way and with no special camera settings either!

We shall sit out the forecasted gale force winds and rain here for the next few days and then we shall be turning once again and returning to Abingdon.  (we still don’t know which way is up!)

Sad news and Abingdon

First and foremost, our heartfelt condolences go to Paul (Manley Ferry) whose beautiful wife Elaine died last night after such a brave fight with cancer.  She will be sorely missed by so many.  Rest in peace lovely lady.

It hardly seems right to continue with this blog post, but in all the sadness, life does go on.

Monday 15th August we woke early at our mooring on the meadow above Day’s Lock.  It’s time for us to move on.

The sun was just rising and there was a mist on the ground

and on the river

At 06:13 it was just under 4-degrees - in mid-August!

Arthur and Linda were the first to leave on nb Weyward Lass, it was good to meet up with them last evening for drinks on Gypsy Willow.

Next it was No Problem XL’s turn to leave (they were breasted up to Still Rockin’)

While Sue winded (turned) ...

Vic walked to Day’s Lock to set it in their favour

… here she comes

… passing houseboat Gypsy Willow where we’d spend a very pleasant couple of hours with owners Karin and Peter and friends last evening

The Church of England parish church of St Michael and All Saints

… at Clifton Hampden

Good balance!











Once through Clifton Lock the Thames continues to meander this way and that ...

… have I told you that I love these reaches on the very curvaceous reaches of the Thames?

The River Thames splits here; to the left under this lovely bridge is a navigable channel to the Plough pub in Long Wittenham.  We must do that one day. To the right is the way we're going, to Culham Lock; the lock landing in just over there!

Slowly does it here on this blind bend, the lock is just beyond the bridge

All good, it’s all clear for us to enter

Culham Lock is quite deep at nearly 8’.

Sluices open and the water pours in.

A mile or so further and we see the spire of Trinity Church, Abingdon

 Anyone and everyone takes this photo if they arrive in Abingdon by boat, it certainly is stunning!

 These are the waterside views from the first mooring we tied up at while we went to see what others were on offer further along

… and these the ones when we finally settled in … not too shabby at all.

Salters Steamers run regular boat trips from Abingdon to Oxford, this one has come through the bridge and is turning into Abingdon Marine to pick up more passengers … all without the help of bow thrusters … I’m glad it’s not me having to do that!

After enjoying an evening meal alfresco at the Nags Head we walked along the riverside.  This is Abingdon Town Hall and Museum.

 Walking back to Still Rockin’ (middle left)

 Night time view of the church from our mooring.

We’ll be spending a quiet day today in a contemplative mood with Paul and Elaine in our thoughts, it’s just so, so sad.