31/05/05...Monthly Journal

Monthly Journal Entry...

Current Location :
Oxford Canal

Weather For May :
Showery with Sunny Spells and Chilly Nights
Wind : breezy.
Temp : High 31c - Lowest -1c

May 2005

Hi everyone...

Just to let you all know how things are progressing. We have now completed our tour of the Thames and as of today June 4th we are back on the Canal System, entering the Oxford Canal yesterday evening in the pouring rain @ Aprox. 5pm.
From our start at Reading we travelled downstream as far as Churtsey (Mid'sex) staying over at Henley and then turned around to progress up to Sonning. At Sonning we met up with NarrowBoat Nesta who had just completed the Kennet & Avon Canal from Bristol.
On Sunday May 22nd we progressed together thru’ Pangbourne, Wallingford, Abingdon & Oxford, continuing on up to the highest point on the Thames at St. Johns Lock, Lechlade. We moored here for the bank holiday weekend. Lechlade is the farthest navigable point of the Thames and meets the presently unnavigable Thames & Severn Canal near Inglesham. This is currently under restoration. The stretch leading to Lechlade is by far the most winding & isolated part of the river we have seen.
From here we backtracked downstream towards Oxford before taking a sharp left @ Duke’s Cut and entering the Oxford Canal. We have waited 12 months to be back on the canals, (this is what ‘Quidditch’ was really built for) & Daria couldn’t wait to complete the 1st lock, even in the torrential downpour. Unlike Thames locks, canal locks are completely unmanned. It gets harder from here!
Our plan now is to continue northward thru’ Banbury, turning on to the Grand Union Canal at Wigram's Turn and then on to our next destinations of Leamington, Warwick & Stratford upon Avon.
Thus far we have had only 3 days where we haven’t seen at least one shower and one particular day were the temperature reached 31 degrees. But at least in between we see plenty of sunshine and the tans are progressing nicely. Living aboard a narrowboat means you become at one with nature and the wildlife has been amazing. We both now make a point of learning the many different wild flowers, trees, plants, butterflies & dragonflies . We’ve seen deer, owls, bats and many baby ducks, geese & swans, rescuing several on our travels. We are at one with nature! Oh god what are we saying? We passed a hippie boat yesterday with strange plants growing on the roof. I think we’ll pass on that one!

Happy travels everyone, let us know how you all are?

26/05/05...Eynsham

Journal Entry...

Current Location :
River Thames, Eynsham.

Weather : Sunshine & Occasional Showers.
Wind : S.W.
Temp 18c

We left Abingdon around 10.30am & headed upstream towards Oxford.
Moored for lunch in Botley having navigated an Oxford boat club regatta. Went under low bridge just after Botley & had to remove chimney!
Came thru’ Osney lock with no problems this time! (Last year bringing Quidditch back to Reading we took this lock on the wrong side and got wedged against the weir wall).
When we arrived @ Kings Lock for the turn for Lechlade it all seemed much smaller than we remembered. Kings lock is the 1st lock on the Thames off the Oxford Canal which we navigated last year!. We we’re novices then though!
Moored @ Eynsham on a farmers field for the night, £5. Sat out in the sunshine watching a Hercules & Re-Fueler from Brize Norton doing approaches, then went & had a pub meal atThe Talbot, which was a real treat and not a bad meal either!


Nature Notes : - Nothing to report.

25/05/05... Abingdon Day 2

Journal Entry...

Current Location :
River Thames, Abingdon.

Weather : Grey Start, Then Sunny.
Wind : S.W. 5 MPH
Temp 18c



Walked over to NBNesta, moored on the opposite bank and then went into Abingdon for lunch.

After lunch we walked down to the chandlery & I bought a British Ensign Flag for the front of Quidditch.
Daria cleaned the interior and I cleaned and sorted the rear chests. I fitted a hook for our large umbrella on the stern which will now give shelter on those hot afternoons. When they arrive!!
We had a nice dinner of Chicken, Bacon & St. Agure with mash & beans. Daria wasn’t sure but I can assure her it was lovely!
Watched the Champions League Final, Liverpool Vs AC Milan. Couldn’t believe my eyes! Liverpool came back from 3-0 down at half time to win 3-2 on penalties. I was stunned!
Went to bed at around 23.30. Being an Evertonian I don't think I'll sleep much tonight.


Nature Notes : - Nothing unusual. Kestrel hunting close to Quidditch.

24/05/05...Abingdon

Journal Entry...

Current Location :
River Thames, Abingdon.

Weather : Overcast & Chilly.
Wind : Blustery.

Had a wonder into Wallingford for some bits first thing & left for Abingdon around 11.45am in very blustery conditions.
Pretty none eventful day which I didn’t particularly enjoy due to the un-inspirational scenery & very windy conditions.
We arrived in Abingdon @ around 4.30pm. A quick debate with Graham & Hazel (NBNesta) and we decided to moor in the town Centre, not my first choice by experience!
However, just the other side of Abingdon bridge are some really nice FREE moorings provided by the council. Well done them! You can stay for 5 days too if you prefer. Plus I got a Sky signal! Always a bonus for me! No walk tonight & kedgeree for dinner.
Had a visit from Graham & hazel late on then we then Played cards for a while before bed .
We have decided to stay here tomorrow.

Nature Notes : - Nothing outstanding but a rat on the bank!

23/05/05... Wallingford

Journal Entry...


Current Location :
River Thames, Wallingford.

Weather : Sunshine & Partly Cloudy am. Heavy Showers pm.
Wind : Breezy.
Temp: 13c

Set off at 11am upstream towards Wallingford & Oxford.
Moored for lunch @ Goring. After a walk down into the village & lunch aboard we moved on to Cleeve Lock where we took on water.
Several hefty showers later we arrived @ Wallingford. What followed must have looked like a pantomime for any gongoozelers, (boaty name for rubber neckers), or fellow boaties!
With limited mooring we made a decision to moor on the far bank just past Wallington bridge. After ‘winding’, (boaty name for 3-point-turn), we approached only to nearly ground ourselves on the shallow bank. Reversing off we decided to butty on the near bank and moved in. Hazel then pointed out that they should be on the inside because of Harvey the dog. We moved off once again! When they secured we found that the bank was too high for Harvey so while
NB 'Nesta' waited we took 'Quidditch' back to the other side of the bridge to check out a space. We then grounded ourselves once again! This time with both Daria & myself on the bank with 'Quidditch' 6ft out in the water! After struggling against the wind & several more ‘winding’s’ we buttied together in the original mooring & secured. After a long evening walk after dinner, (Beef Stroganoff), we played cards & retired.
No Sky signal available! I really need to buy a longer cable!

Nature Notes : - 3 x Hobby @ Beale Park, 1 x Hobby @ Goring. Spotted Flycatcher. Great spot by Daria! A pair of nesting Kingfisher!

22/05/05...Thames Pangbourne

Journal Entry...

Current Location :
River Thames, Pangbourne.

Weather : Sunny Start but Heavy Showeres Later.
Temp : 14c

Early start today for Daria! It’s a wonder to behold.
We set off upstream at 10.30am sharp for Pangbourne.
A sunny start to the day but at 4am this morning it was literally blowing a gale. *Note to self.. Do not moor under trees!! We were definitely touching the bottom on our mooring as well! Every time the wind gusted we jerked quite aggressively.
We had a brief stop @ Tesco again while NB 'Nesta' took on fuel & water @ Better Boating and then had a fiasco coming thru’ Caversham Lock.
Once inside the lock, having waited for 15 mins while the keeper was nowhere to be found, the boat behind us got his tiller caught on the gate. The lock keeper, who had pissed me off anyway regarding which capstan to use, simply walked without any urgency to help. By the time he reached the other end I had already helped pull the boat forward. This guy gets a zero from me! In fairness I don't think he was the regular keeper as Thames Lock Keepers are generally Top Draw! Finally, moored @ Pangbourne in torrential rain @ 3.30pm.
Had roast chicken for dinner & got a Sky Signal. No walk tonight! Weather was very wet & chilly so stayed aboard,

Nature Notes : - No walk tonight & nothing special enroute!

21/05/05... Staying Put!

Journal Entry...

Current Location :
River Thames, Sonning.

Weather : Persistant Heavy Rain am
Sunny & Chilly pm.
Temp : 15/5c

Woke to very heavy & persistent rain around 8.30am. Having checked the BBC.Co weather site it was obvious we were not in for a nice day. Discussed situation with Hazel (NBNesta) and took the decision to stay put for the day. Went for a walk downstream towards Sonning Lock with Dee. Had a brief chat with NB 'Waterbed' who are moored the other side of the lock and came back to watch the cup final. Arsenal won on penalties 5-4 despite getting battered for most of the game! Dave, our friend in Dubai, will be sick I should think. No sat signal so used the free view box for the 1st time.
Cottage pie, beans & sausages for dinner and then another walk upstream to Thames Valley Nature Reserve. Tonight we were accompanied by Hazel, Graham & Harvey the dog. Nice walk. After having a coffee aboard NB 'Nesta' I watched the end of the Eurovision Song Contest, (load of rubbish) then we turned in for the night around midnight!

Nature Notes : - Cuckoo, probably same as last night (Heard in woods).

20/05/05... Today Was The Day!

Journal Entry...
Current Location :
River Thames, Reading.

Weather : Sunshine & Occasional Showers.
Wind : S.W. breezy.
Temp 15c

Today was the day!
Although we seem to have already said it several times this year so far!
Set off from the Thames & Kennet Marina for the final time at around 2.30pm.
Our first port of call was Reading Tesco, located right next to the River, to stock up on wine, beer & of course food items!
Moved down stream after Tesco to Sonning to meet up with Graham & Hazel, ‘NBNesta’. This is where we are planning to spend our 1st night as proper River Gypsies.
Graham & Hazel filled us in on there epic voyage from Reading to Bristol on the Kennet & Avon Canal. I must say that NBNesta is looking far less pristine than she was when we last saw her! Thats the K&A for you!
After a dinner of Chicken Caesar Salad, (Daria forgot to buy Caesar dressing!), we walked upstream along the towpath to a local nature reserve. This was a really lovely walk. (see Nature Notes). We had to be very careful underfoot on our walk back as we were avoiding the many frogs who were migrating back to the river as dusk fell.

Nature Notes : - Cuckoo (Heard in wood). 2 x Muntjack, spooked while walking. Numerous frogs, unsure of type. Numerous Sedge Warblers, a singing Song Thrush. Female Mandarin with 10 young.

Began to rain quite heavily by the time we retired!