Shiplake

Today's navigations : Kennet and Avon, Thames

Although still not traditional August weather, it remained fine throughout with plenty of bright spells.

After setting off we immediately arrived at Fobney Lock. this and the next lock, County, are constant test of boat handling skills! Whilst we were waiting for the lock to fill, with a boat coming up, we noticed the coping bricks, stamped with the name Eastwood and Co, with an address in Lambeth. Not sure, but we don't think that we have featured this particular name before. Google has not yielded extensive information other than to confirm that the company occupied premises almost where the London Eye is today. A directory of all sailing vessels registered in the UK, published on 1919, lists a number of ships belonging to this company.

Fobney Lock took a long time to fill but once in we dropped down quite quickly. We had to plan our exit as the fast overflow can make it tricky to tie up on the lower landing. Today it was not as fierce as when we came up in May but planning the manoeuvre was worth it!

The river rejoins the navigation below the lock and from here on our journey was rather lively. The channel is continually winding from one direction to another, we strong currents as a result. It was not helped by plenty of low hanging trees as well.

Spotted in a riverside garden: we assume that the larger boat is used as a summerhouse but do they both have to pay Council  Tax?

Next came County Lock. As instructed we tied up under the road bridge and walked to the lock to set it. Once the gates were open we were able to bring the boat in without a problem. The lock has only a very small fall, as we waited for it to empty we planned our exit. The problem with this lock is that the weir creates difficult swirling current that can easily take a boat on a circular tour. We eased out of the lock, holding a centre line and were relieved (temporarily) that the current seemed to push the bow into the lock landing. Everything seemed under control until the stern just cleared the lock entrance, at which point the dread pull from the weir started to take it out, whost still keeping the bow firmly onto the landing. Luckily a local young chap came to assist and we were able to bring the boat under control so that we could go back and close the gates. We were so busy that we only managed a photo once we were safely underway again!

Just as we left we pressed the traffic light button to make sure that we would not meet anyone coming up. Our journey through the Oracle shopping centre was almost at rocket speed! During our enforced delay by the floods in May we visited here and had lunch just behind the point at which this photo was taken.

At the end of the shopping centre comes this bridge. It is just possible to see that the upstream side (the far side in the photo) is on a tight bend. It is the difficulty of controlling a boat downstream at this point which is the principal reason for the traffic lights. At an angle there is really only room for one boat at a time., and the one coming down is not going to stop!

Once we passed the other red light we could, just a lottle, begin to relax for a short while.

At one time, the name Huntley and Palmer would be known to almost anyone in the UK (and elsewhere) The factory here was founded in 1822 and became one of the best known makers of biscuits - Nice was one of its developments. Eventually it succumbed to the takeover of a large multinational who eventually abandoned the brand name More recently, however, an independent investor has fe-starte the business and now supplies some of the more up market products.

Almost at the end of the River Kennet lies Blakes Lock, At this point the navigation is managed by the Environment Agency as part of the Thames - the lock design is the same as many on the upper part of the  river.

After passing under the main railway line through Reading, on its way into Paddington, we emerged onto the Thames. 

Ever hopeful we turned up stream to see if we could find a slot on the tesco mooring. There was just one (just above the red and blue dinghies) and we headed for it. We then discovered why it is not used by the local continuous moorers - the wall has collapsed and it is difficult to get close enough to the bank to moor up. Eventually we managed (with one end tied to a tree) and went to the store to top up our larder.

After lunch we turned the boat to face down stream and set off. Plenty of boats around as well as numerous rowers. But there is more to look out for - swimmers! At least these had good marker buoys. Even so, it is not easy to spot them from a distance,

Chance for a while to take in the scenery!

First lock was Sonning where we had to buy our visitor licence before being allowed to enter it. The scaffolding is because the Environment Agency is now fitting solar panels to all the lock houses it still uses.

This lock is especially well-tended with lots of different herbaceous flowers.

As we approached Sonning Bridge all seemed well as we headed towards the main arch (this photo was taken looking back for reasons to follow) Suddenly we could see that a large boat was about to come through - it had been hidden by the largest of the brick pillars. We had to slam on the brakes (a strong application of reverse thrust) and managed to give them plenty of room to come through.

It was one of the largest boats we have seen this far upriver. It had made off into the distance before we could take a picture!

After another pleasant stretch of river we reached Shiplake Lock where, just above, is a full facility sanitary station (on the Thames, many of the locks only have some of the elements, necessitating more than one stop)

On then to the lock where we had to wait for the lock to fill with two eights (rowers) and their coaches. As we were the heaviest/longest boat of the tree waiting, the lock keeper asked us to enter first (from the back of the queue) The next boat was a rather splendid vessel.

After leaving we had to negotiate a somewhat unclear set of temporary marker buoys, most likely set out for a an even that will be part of the Henley Regatta later in the month. Once clear we let the other two boats pass.

We simply cannot imagine the price tag for many of the riverside properties! Or even who lives there. Even the immaculate upkeep must be enough to empty many a bank account.

Our plan for a night stop was to look at the meadow stretch just before Henley Bridge, below the next lock - we did moor there many years ago. But our maps also showed a 24hr mooring just after Henley Sailing Club. We were a bit uncertain and missed our chance at the first possible spot. at least there were good mooring posts and, unlike everywhere else, no dreaded No Mooring signs. Then, at the end of the stretch we spotted a gap just long enough for us and managed to get alongside. Now we have to wait and see if we are hassled for a fee! (Many mooring spots on the Thames levy a charge as they are private land)

Shiplake Rail Station is just across on the opposite side of the river but we do not expect much disturbance from it as the line is only a short branch line from the main line at Twyford, running half hourly into Henley. (Henley to Paddington is 45 - 50 minutes)

10.2 Miles - 5 Locks