Moulsford

Today's Navigation - River Thames

We awoke to a very different day - bright sunshine! 

By the time we took this photo the two boats that had also moored here overnight had set off - probably what caused Christine  to wake!

Our schedule for today was a bit uncertain - mooring spots are few and far between and not always offering spaces. The obvious place to stop would be Beale Park (we have moored here several times before) but that was quite an ask for our normal 9.30 - 17.00 schedule with lunch break. So we managed to get away a little earlier at 9 am. The first task was to turn around, not as easy as it sounds in a fast flowing stream just down from the  bridge. We could not readily use the technique of using differences in the water speed between bank and mid stream as a bend in the river meant that we were soon moving sideways at some speed! Eventually, with a little extra throttle, we came around and faced downstream once more.

Shortly we passed the plaque marking where the former Wilts and Berks Canal joined the river. There is an active restoration Trust but this is a complex and challenging scheme. Rather more of the original line has been lost than is the case withy other ongoing projects. The canal covers several distinct communities and the Trust operates as a number of groups and subgroups. The southern end link with the K&A at Semington, just below Devizes.

The current proposals for restoration have to take into account that this northern end has been especially built over and so a new cut to the south is intended. It connects with the river at Jubilee Junction where there is a short mooring arm with a few boats in it. 

The junction is is also on a sharp bend where the river continues straight on over a large weir but the navigation turns left in to Culham Cut.

The keeper at Culham Lock was already on duty, as was the case at all of today's locks. Perhaps he had not been around long as the sign still indicated Self Service but we were quite happy to accept his assistance and direction. All were very cheerful and made us feel welcome.

Appleford was the first of several railway viaducts we passed under today. No traffic on this one as it is the same line as Nuneham (see yesterday)

At the start of Clifton Cut a wide weir drops the level only slightly - there is a navigable arm (the old river route) from below the lock that runs almost up to the bottom of this weir.

Clifton has another old road bridge but the sun was in just the wrong direction to photo, but just right for the village church that enjoys what an estate agent might call a stunning view of the river.

As we exited from Day's Lock a couple of boats were waiting on the lay by to come up. Christine was concerned that Mike was steering too close to the protective posts but we soon discovered that the very strong weir stream crossed our path and it took some extra welly from the engine to avoid crashing into the side of the waiting boats.

On a tight bend at Shillingford there is an impressive collection of houses - one was undergoing expensive maintenance. At the far end of this photo, there is even a thatched boathouse. Must make it one of the more expensive to maintain.

Just after Shillingford Bridge there are a couple of properties - Rush Manor and Rush Court. The first of these is closer to the rover and has recently been extensively renovated as a private residence whilst the other is a posh care home. Whilst neither can be seen clearer through the trees that line the river bank, what can be seen is a large ceremonial landing stage. So fare we have not been able to find out why it was built and what it was used for (apart rom landing, that is!)

There are extensive sluices controlling the flow of water around Benson Lock.

Alongside the old bridge at Wallingford stands an attractive mid 18C church with an unusual spire. Alas, this was declared redundant in 1971 but remains in the care of the Churches Conservation Trust. At that time there were two parish churches within a stone's throw of each other.

From below the bridge, it is just possible to see the African Queen moored (see later)

The traffic no longer has to pass  over the old bridge if passing through the town as there is now a bypass. Its bridge is equally elegant, if very different in design.

Finally for today another railway bridge but this time carrying the electrified line from the West Country into Paddington via Reading.

It was now lunch time and we looked for somewhere to moor. From way back in 2009 we knew of a short wild bank mooring opposite Sheridan Marine, a small boatyard and chandlery. (It is also marked on Waterway Routes maps in case we might forget!) Slightly to our surprise it is still there and positively marked as a free mooring for one night (upstream and downstream are equally clearly NO MOORING!)

We turned to face the flow of water so that we could better control our approach. Even so it took a couple of attempts to get to a point where we were prepared to make a leap of faith onto the bank, ropes in hand! The second time we took advantage of a tree stump to catch the bow and avoid it being swept back out before we could make ourselves secure,

How then to get back onto the boat? The gap was larger than it looks, especially as the bank itself is overgrown with nettles and the actual edge not very obvious. We then had a complicated manoeuvre to lift our gangplank into position and then for Mike to walk gingerly across! The mop acted as a stabiliser . . .

Our estimates now showed that, once we had lunch, it would be half past five before we arrived at Beale Park so we opted to stay put. There should still be time to reach the Kennet and Avon tomorrow, but we are not pressed for time. We also checked the conditions of several river sections on the canal which were still on Red Board warnings a couple of days ago but yesterday they were reduced to Yellow.

Later in the afternoon, the African Queen (which we earlier saw moored at Wallingford) went by on its way downstream to its base in Mapledurcham. It runs weekend or 5 day cruises for up to 12 passengers. (The web site does not give prices . . .must be expensive if you have to ask!)

16.9 Miles - 4 Locks