Clifton Hampden

 Today's Navigation - River Thames

As the statistics at the end of this blog show, the was a day of mainly plain sailing. With over four miles between locks, we had plenty of time to watch the scenery as we passed by. In fact the distances were mostly rather larger as two locks (Goring and Cleeve) are very close together)

We had moored just before Beale Park but this reach is very wide which gives some splendid river views - if only the sun had helped.

Shortly after passing the river entrance to the park we saw a good number of cleared moorings each with its own numbered peg. The notices said that the fee would be £10 per night.

This is Gatehampton Railway Bridge - by the time we reach Oxford we will have passed under this electrified main line at least four times.

We reported on The Grotto in the blog for the last time we passed this way in 2014. We would not normally knowingly repeat ourselves but we thought it worth checking up to see why it is still derelict. Whilst it took some time to find a buyer, in 2019 plans were submitted for its development into a luxury hotel. However, a newspaper report from earlier this year shows the extent of damage by a fierce fire. Perhaps we will be able to re;port a better future if we come here again but as it is a listed building it will not be easy for a new owner tk make it work.

Last night we had an unfortunate incident with the tap in the galley - it was left running by accident until it started to overflow onto the floor when the sound of it dripping alerted us. Luckily not much damage was done but it left us with a depleted water tank. Almost the only opportunity to refill came at Cleeve Lock. Yesterday's fill took a long time but this tap (and there were two to choose from) was almost impossible. The new back flow protection devices have been widely reported and make the use of the taps well nigh impossible. We tried several variations of our hoses but still only had the merest of dribbles at the tank end. Any attempt to turn the tap on more fully resulted in it triggering the protector - which sprays water everywhere (and we mean everywhere) After reaching 5/8 full we gave up. Another boat who had similar experience at the same time, using the other tap, were even less patient!

This is Carmel College's boathouse rather sorry for itself. At least the boat covered in plastic was being worked on.

Another of the many splendid (and some not so splendid!) boathouses that are frequent along this part of the river. We think that this one belongs to the Hydrology Research Station.

Mike was trying to take a photo of the lock office at Benson Lock but the lock keeper (in a rather different 'uniform') was determined to get in on the act, leaving all the work to his willing volunteer.

Just above the lock we passed the Le Boat hire base. We have seen numerous of their craft already this week - they certainly seem popular.

Shillingford is a splendid structure.

And makes a great location for a smart wedding at the adjacent hotel.

After we had moored up for the day we saw this 'hospitality unit' (just out of the last photo the left) being driven upstream, powered by a couple of outboards. (Rather a small snippet of a much larger photo, we are  afraid)

Our final lock of the day was (appropriately) Day's Lock. Evety lok today has been manned with none on Self Service.

The next reach takes a very wide curve around the edge of a flood plain - to the for this segment of our journey was  right is a small rise with the elongated village of Burcot, largely hidden behind trees and only the ends of some very long gardens meet with the river.

Our final bridge for this segment of our journey was at Clifton Hampden. We moored just above the bridge many years ago and when we saw it listed on our maps we opted to make this our stopover - there is nothing else for some considerable distance.

Although the bank is approachable from the river - many likely looking places end up too shallow - the only bit not wholly overgrown with vegetation had a high bank but Mike valiantly leapt ashore.However . . . after banging in the pins an tying up he was left with the quandary of how to get back on board! Jumping onto the narrow gunnel is rather less attractive than a wide footpath. Hence,. for one of those rare needs, we had to deploy the gangplank.

17.0 Miles - 4 Locks