Debs

I'm glad you like it. Thank you. Xxx

Thank you so much. That really is very kind. I won't be out again until next year now but I'm hoping to retire next year so there will be a lot more to write about. xx

have fun! X

Thank you very much. It's been extremely enjoyable but, unfortunately, I'm now back in the real world of work, washing and ironing. Xxx

As predicted, today was a stunning day! I woke up early basically because I was being kicked out of bed! If there is one downside about being on board a narrowboat it's the size of the bed! Maybe we should both go on a diet before we go on our next adventure. So, let us recap! We started off leaving the Wey Navigation at Weybridge and made our way to Teddington to catch the tide. After travelling through the tidal Thames we met up with the Grand Union Canal at Brentford. From there we travelled through some of the nicest and not so nice places along the canal. Eventually, we hung a left onto the South Oxford Canal. This is very much a rural canal. Set in amazing countryside with open fields and hills, this is a very pretty canal however, when it's blowing a gale and the rain is pissisting down, it can be a little bit bleak. From the South Oxford Canal we turned right onto the Thames where we spent the night at Farmoor moorings. We then went back onto the Canal and travelled through Jericho as we'd never done it before. We then spent the rest of the journey on the Thames. During our journey, we had about three days of sunshine. I have lost a considerable amount of money at cards. I broke my foot (or come very close to it if not. It's still very painful!). I've been very wet and very cold. We even put the fire on a couple of times! But above all, I have met some really lovely people, had belly laughs every day and drank copious amounts of alcohol. And, I didn't end up in the water! Result! I also cannot believe that I actually got a suntan on the last day! This morning we left our moorings outside the Swan hotel in Stains and made our way on a very empty river towards Shepperton. We arrived at The Thames Court pub at midday, which was handy as there were moorings outside and empty tables in the garden. Half an hour later, there was neither. We had ourselves a wonderful roast dinner then sat on the director chairs next to the boat and lapped up the rays. If the truth be known, we were just putting off the inevitable. Eventually, we made our way through Shepperton lock and turned right onto the Wey Navigation. I am now sitting at home listening to the washing machine moaning about the amount of washing there is. Tomorrow, I will probably be moaning about the amount of ironing there is to do! It has been a great holiday but, as usual, it always seems too short. Tuesday I will be back at work and by Wednesday it will seem like a distant memory. I hope I haven't bored you all too much?! If you have enjoyed reading my adventures, please would you just take 5 minutes to read the link about a very special little boy. His name is Nicholas Stewart and he's my grandson. On Saturday, he will be flying out to Boston to have tests for life saving treatment. I would be really grateful if you could share the link on your social media sites. Thank you all for your time. 'Till the next time, TaDa! Xx https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fgogetfunding.com%2Fflighting-for-the-future&h=ATPPd71TvqxFWcB6_CE796rPM_LOljrrNFj5msctJk3CAMLY7vBB_7VA7KZ_5Ytfn-9XObzR0mm1GPR14RIIxNgXg_QsWK5RMR2kHFtVrjgu0s2JGc6-KF45Wg&s=1&enc=AZOF61c17E-AcLS8RG2xQ-Oi_tYjkwDA4GSKRcjK403pnrKMH_OnLrLlMu0t_wawonOw2ysCB40kOtOp5Dhkp-cnwu0U19OHavnp7w7iS3PZRQ

Thank you so much. I have enjoyed every minute of it. Believe me, if we could have taken longer to do it we would have. Unfortunately, work beckons! There will be one more post today for the last leg of the journey then I'll leave you all in peace for a while. I'm glad you enjoyed it. Xxx

We woke up where we went to sleep (which is a result really) under a willow tree! I had expected the day to be grey and gloomy but, it was wonderful. The sky had a couple of clouds but nothing too dangerous! We set off fairly early as we had no internet connection so didn't get a chance to check emails etc. However, having checked email since then, I'm somewhat disappointed that I never received one from the national lottery! I really will have to go back to work next week! We managed to meet up with the couple that was moored in front of us, at the next lock. They travelled down to Maidenhead with us but moored up so they could get the train to London to see their son. We travelled on down through Bray where, apparently, Sir Michael Parkinson lives and the famous Bray studios are. They were famous for the Hammer House Of Horror films back in the day! As we approached Windsor, just before the bridge with the amazing art graffitied underneath it, we saw the Duckbus going into the water. That is such a surreal thing to see when you are actually on the water. I really does look like it should sink. We decided not to stop at Windsor, for a change, but travel on! A little wat past Windsor, opposite the castle grounds, we found a really nice mooring place in Datchet. We have never stopped there before but thought we'd have a look this time. As you approach the moorings, there are signs to say "danger shallow water!" However, we managed to moor up with no problems at all on the newly made mooring rings. From then, we wandered into the village where there are a couple of pubs and a convenience store. There was a couple who had just got married who were the smallest, most miserable people you could find. Actually, he was very happy but she looked like she'd just swallowed a wasp! Mmmm! Good luck for the future! The sun carried on shining and we carried on cruising through Runnymead and into Stains where we saw some girls in a floating hot tub. This is where we have decided to moor up for the night. We are on the very rickety staging outside the Swan hotel. We have had a very nice meal and met a bloke with the most amazing narrow boat! He had it custom made and is usually moored down in Little Venice. It is totally stunning! As I was saying in earlier posts about liveaboards, not all of them are shanty boats! This boat is absolutely immaculate! Anyone would be happy to live on his boat! So, this is our last night on the boat. Tomorrow, we will be making our way back to our moorings on the Wey Navigation. We will see have to see if anything untoward happens on the way!

WOW! We have been on the boat for three weeks! Three weeks of rain ish, but not today. We woke up again to a beautiful morning. Our geese were still hanging around to see if we were gullible enough to give out some more bread. Tuff luck geese, it's not happening today! There was a little bit of a drama with a boat trying to turn round to moor up. Unfortunately, they hadn't accounted for the current and their bow thrusters weren't able to cope with the turn. They ended up blocking the river with another Boat's occupants shouting: "You're going to hit the boat, you're going to hit the boat!" It has to be said, this did not help the poor bloke trying to turn his boat round. Mick tried to help by taking the rope but, as hard as he tried, he couldn't hang on and rather than end up in the water, had to let go! Once the bloke had finally moored up, he was nice enough to come and say thank you. We eventually made our way down the long bit at Henley where the racing is usually carried out. It's not the prettiest of sections but, when the sun is shining, all is good! I put some sausages in the oven to wait for an ideal opportunity to stop and have lunch. This turned out to be Marlow. However, at Hurley lock, a pleasure boat came through with a brass jazz band on it. What a sight! It was really nice to see. We were amazed to get a mooring spot at Marlow! Although, I think the eight or more swans on the bank where we moored weren't very impressed and there was a little bit of hissing going on. We had lunch, washed down by a beer or two then, just after 2 pm, when the lock keepers had finished lunch, we made our way down river. We were on the lock staging with a really pretty day boat. Unfortunately, it had major problems getting into the empty lock as it didn't steer very well and ended up across the lockbentrance. It then had to be helped into the lock by the lock keeper dragging it in by its rope! Eventually, we got in the lock after it. When the lock emptied, we were told to leave the lock first but within seconds, the day boat was overtaking us! Clearly, it was ok on the straights! As the clouds built, we made our way steadily down the river. We have ended up mooring at Bell Meadow, Cookham, under a willow tree. Literally, under a willow tree! We will be fine if it rains but the solar panels think it's winter already! Cook ham is a very pretty little village and, if you can get moored here, it's well worth the £6 to do so. I am now very stuffed after having a meal in The Crown pub. Good food decent prices. I just need to sink a couple more drinks before ambling back, through the graveyard, back to the boat for a night under the trees. Amazingly enough, it hasn't rained for the second day on the trot! Let's see what happens tomorrow!

Thank you very much. I enjoy writing them. I've been doing it to friends on Faceache or bout 7 yrs now and just tight would broaden my circle a bit. We are happy! We thoroughly enjoy the rivers and canals. Even the dramas are funny in the end! x All the photos are taken with my IPhone 5SE. If I had a decent camera I might have been able to get a picture of a Kingfisher. Cameras are too complicated for me! x

That would explain the hoarding then. X

Last night we had a peaceful night on the edge of Beale Park in Pangbourne. We played a bit of cards but I still haven't won back what I lost the other night! This morning, when we woke, it was like summer had started! The sun was shining, it was warm and the river was extremely calm. After clearing out the bilge, once again, we set off towards Whitchurch lock. We have many from memories of Whitchurch lock as we spent two days moored up on the lock staging after our propeller had decided to go on its own journey without us on the approach to the lock. This was about 6 yrs ago now on the first ever tour of The Thames Ring in our first ever boat. Did it put us off? It would appear not! Although the day was bright and sunny, it did tend to get a bit chilly on occasions so the cardigans were on and off more times than an Underground strike! We journeyed on and hit Reading. It would appear that they're either getting ready for the festival or, it's been and gone and nobody thought to take the hoarding down. It really does seem to go on for miles. I suspect they don't want people sneaking in without paying to get cold, wet and muddy. I was pleasantly surprised to see that there were actually moorings outside Tesco today. Usually, this is so clogged up with, dare I say it?, long termers, that you can't get moored there for love nor money. However, today was different! Unfortunately, today, we had already stocked up with everything we needed. Except wine! I forgot that I needed more wine! Bugger! Still, never mind, I still had a little bit left to last until we stopped for the night assuming we don't stop in the middle of nowhere. Although, we did that yesterday and I don't do cooking two nights on the trot! We decided to crack on as it was such a lovely day. We had bacon baguettes on the move so didn't need to stop for lunch. It has to be said that the further down the Thames you go, the bigger and whiter the boats get. Narrowboats definitely become the abnormality unfortunately. Eventually, we came to Henley. We saw our old boat moored up in its new home and found our own overnight moorings through the lock and further down the river. After sitting on the back of the boat in our directors chairs (any bit of sunshine at all and they are coming out!) we ventured into town. The first stop was Sainsbury's to get wine. We then went to Wetherspoons to see if their app works. It does by the way! On the way back to the boat, we noticed that red diesel here is £1.43 ltr. that is totally outrageous when you consider we paid 65p ltr on the Grand Union Canal. We are now sat at the front of the boat listening to the drago boats practicing and watching the sun setting over the water. We have made friends with the local geese and fed them so much bread and toffee muffins that I expect they may well explode! (Only joking if you're an avid ornithologist who thinks that birds should only eat peas and seeds)! I have no doubt that we will back to gloomy weather tomorrow so I intend to enjoy the evening on the front of the boat, with a glass in my hand watching the world drift by.

Thank you for the kind words. Regardless of the rain it's still loads of fun. I just wish I didn't have to go back to work next week. Enjoy your jaunt. The weather will probably be loads better for you. Xx

We woke to the alarm at 07:00hrs. (It's not like we're on holiday or anything!) We had a quick coffee, donned our waterproofs and set off from our moorings at Abingdon early (for us!) to get as far as possible before the torrential rain hit. We soon arrive at Culham lock which was still in self service mode. I jumped off the boat to go and do the lock keeping thing. The lock was empty and a boat was approaching from the other side so I opened the gates and allowed them in. This is a very slow lock to fill but I think it was hampered by the lack of water coming into it from the cut! Even I noticed how low the level was. Before long, we were joined by three other boats including a service boat. The service boat had just helped one of the other boats from being grounded in Abingdon. It wasn't long before the lock keeper turned up and started taking over. He then managed to fill the lock up a bit quicker so that the boat going up could leave the lock to allow us in. He then said that he had been called to go to the weir and sort out the shortage of water and that he was leaving the lock in our hands again. Once all the boats were in (bit of a tight squeeze), I closed the gates and started raising the sluices at the other end. "Strange!" I thought! "The sluice gates are opening more than normal." It was great! I could totally control how much the sluices opened. It was then that the lock keeper noticed that it was still in keeper mode and made me close the sluices again so he could put it back to public use. Hey ho! It was good while it lasted! Eventually, we were all able to continue our journeys. Apparently, the people on the boat behind ours thought that I was a lock keeper (they turned up after I had started operating it) then apologised once they found out the truth. Im glad that we had decided to put our waterproofs on today as they were, a very much, needed commodity. From 1pm the heavens opened again just to prove the BBC weathermen right! It has been a day of 'brolly up, brolly down, brolly up, brolly down'! We have, however, been really lucky with the locks in that they have all been manned (not counting the first one) and they have more or less opened as we've got to them. We passed through Wallingford but didn't stop today. Just after Wallingford I tried to photograph a Kingfisher that was sitting on some decking but failed miserably! We went under one of the amazing Brunell bridges. I can't help but wonder how many brickies it took to build this bridge or even, how many bricks it took. It really is a truly amazing feat of engineering! We have now decided that enough is enough of this rain and have moored up for the night next to Beale Park. We have hung up our waterproofs to dry and lit the fire. Who would have thought that we would be lighting fires in August? A hot shower, some semi decent food and a few glasses of magic water should do the trick for tonight. I may even consider losing some more money at cards. Tomorrow is yet another day!

I do agree with you that there are some houses that are a shambles but it is more noticeable on the rivers and canals. The fact that you get total communities together, living the same way, there really is no need for it. Not all liveaboards are the same, some are beautiful. I just think that people would be more tolerant if a little bit of an effort was made. I know there is a housing shortage but I hadn't realised that there was a self pride shortage too. When I speaking about the hirecraft going too fast, I was actually talking about the huge white boats on the Thames (Le Boat) etc. I have always found that narrowboat hirers are extremely considerate. That is brilliant! Frank never said anything yesterday. I'm so pleased for them. They are a brilliant pair. xxx thank you for letting me know. X

I've just heard from someone walking their dog that the weather tomorrow is predicted to be sunny. I would just like to add that even our barometer lied to us today.

Well, that was a bit wet! I now know what it's like to be an old trout! In fact today, I think I was wetter than a fish on some occasions! We set off from Oxford at around 10am and the heavens opened! We have been extremely lucky with the locks, as in, when we have arrived, we haven't had to wait too long for them to be opened. As we travelled through the playground of the Oxford canoe clubs it was very noticeable that there was no way you would be able to moor up in the visitors moorings. These had all been taken by liveaboards. This is such a shame because, eventually, people won't want to cruise the Thames as the mooring is very limited. Don't get me wrong! I can understand that people want to have a roof over their head and a boat is a very cheap option but, why can't they, at least, make it look nicer? There really is no excuse to have rubbish all over the top of the boat, broken windows blocked up with bits of ill fitting wood, tarpaulins draped here, there and everywhere and just generally filthy. Some of them can't even be bothered to get curtains and make do with odd bits of rags across the windows. There is no need to live like a tramp! So, we got to Sandford lock where we had to wait a little while for it to fill. Once inside, we started our decent. It suddenly became apparent that the sluice gates were letting in loads of water. The lock keeper managed to do something and sort one of the gates but there was no such luck with the other one. Luckily, we managed to get out of the lock with no real dramas. It then seemed to take hours to get to the next lock. It was cold, it was wet and the goingvwas slow even with two umbrellas up. Eventually, we arrived at Abingdon lock. As usual, we had a bit of banter with the lock keeper who has been there every single time we have ever passed through. Again, getting through the lock had no dramas involved but, it did stop raining (or as he put it, "the liquid sunshine has stopped pouring"). We have moored up here for the night! As we go here quite early, and we hadn't had breakfast, we decided to go into town and get a bite to eat. We ventured into The Kings Head and Bell. We had a wonderful lunch with some very entertains chat from Robert, the bar tender. It really was a great way to spend an afternoon. After lunch, we went shopping then back to the boat to discover that the mooring pins had come a bit loose probably due to the hirecraft not slowing down past moored boats. Mick turned into Thor and smashed those mooring pins down to Australia. They won't come out now! Later, this evening, we went back to the pub and had dinner. It was different staff on but just as friendly. I would definitely recommend this pub for food and ambience. Tomorrow, we have decided to get up earlyish and set off as soon as possible as the forecast is set to be worse than it was today. Don't worry people, we only have the rest of this week left then we will be back at work and the sun will be back and glorious.

Hahaha! Well done!

Watch out tomorrow as the forecast is even worse that today. Xx

You should have given us a shout and we would have! Xx

Today, after a fantastically quiet night, we woke up to drizzle! Dont you just love that word? It's not rain, it's drizzle! We had ourselves a full English breakfast and before you knew it, it was 10:30. We made our way through Pinkhill lock again only to find the lock keepers parents and his children all working the lock! Three generations on one lock was amazing to see! After Eynsham lock and just before Kings lock, we took a left turn back onto the Oxford canal. Once on the Oxford, we did a right turn to carry on down the canal. I believe this is called Jericho. I have to say that, according to posts from other people, this was meant to be a horrible journey to make. However, it was a really nice part of the canal with some amazing artwork under the bridges. Each to their own but I preferred going this way than travelling through Port Meadow. After getting back on to the Thames, we moored up just past Osney bridge. This is the lowest bridge on the Thames. We then made our way to Oxford Centre. We have never really explored Oxford before so we decided to make a day of it and explore the city. After walking at least 100m we got on a tour bus that took us all the way round Oxford city centre and told us loads of useless facts that we will never remember. The good thing is, the driver asked what we wanted to be charged. We asked what the cheapest was and he said "senior" so we told him that would do! We spent the rest of the day exploring Oxford. It is a beautiful city steeped in history despite all the Oxford "tat" shops! We ended up having a meal in The Mitre. This wasn't the best of choices! I have had a better burger from MacDonalds and Burger King and ended up getting my money back as I couldn't actually eat it. I've not been very lucky on this trip with food, it has to be said! Yet again, the only sustenance I've had is wine tonight! Woohoo! Tomorrow promises to be wet! We'll see how it goes but in the mean time, I hope your evening is full of laughter and friendship! In other words, have a drink for me! X

Last night was wonderful. We sat and watched the bats flying along the surface of the water catching insects as they were hatching. I can honestly say that I have never seen so many bats in one place it was amazing! We also played cards but the least said about that, the better! We woke up to, what promised to be, a beautiful day, according to the barometer. I even got my legs out and put shorts on only to change back again, 5 minutes later, into long trousers and a hoodie. We set off up the river to Eynsham lock where we took care of all our services before entering the lock. We were then greeted by one of the superb lock keepers on the Thames. In general, most of the lock keepers are very friendly and chatty and the more they get to see you, the friendlier they are. We then made our way up to Pinkhill lock. This has now been taken over by the son of the last lock keepers who are enjoying a well earned retirement. Again, we had a good chat about life in general and chickens. Basically, there used to be chickens running free range on the lock. The last two, sadly, departed this world last year and no more have been acquired as yet. Just after a Pinkhill lock there is a left hand bend and a rather nice mooring spot. After Mick doing a fantastic 180 degrees, we moored up at the end of the mooring space. Making sure that there was loads of room behind us for, at least, two more boats of average size. Low and behold, not long afterwards, another boat turns up and plonks itself right in the middle of the space that was left! So now the space has only got two boats in it. Let's hope that no one is desperate to moor up for the night! ERGH! So, with our hour or two cruising done for the day we set about doing other things. First of all, the directors chairs came out. If there is a slim chance that the sun is going to shine, they are coming out! Ever since we bought them it has rained on every journey that we've had! We are not going to lose this one! No way! The wind had picked up a bit but it still wasn't a problem. The sun was still shining, all be it, coldly. We had lunch then set about doing all the little jobs that you never get round to doing unless you are on a lazy day, in which case, you work harder than normal. Over the years that we've been travelling up and down the canals and rivers, we have picked up all the Brass door plaques for wherever we've been. However, we have never put them on a boat as they don't come with screws. I can't get my head around why screws are not supplied with them. You get screws with everything these days. Even children's toys are screwed into their boxes (???) so why don't these plaques come with screws? Never mind! When we bought this boat, I decided that the plaques would be given pride of place on the doors, so everyone can see how well travelled we are. I went onto EBay and ordered some little brass screws. Then, once they had arrived, I ordered a bigger size in the hope that these ones would fit! Oh well, third time lucky it is then! So, we put the plaques on, cleaned the gullys, filled the propeller greaser up, got the water out of the engine pit, again and cleaned one of the air vent domes. Lazy day! After dinner we listened to our neighbours engine running for, what seemed like, hours then went for a lovely walk around Farmoor Resevoir. Unfortunately, to access the reservoir from the river, you have to climb over a locked gate. This is something that's getting harder to do every year. We are now back on the boat, watching the full moon and waiting to hear the sound of the owls hunting. We may play cards if I can find some loose change down the side of the sofa but most of all, we will be enjoying the total peacefulness of this place.

Hi Sean. Yes have never gone through Oxford itself but we probably will tomorrow. Again, as you said, it has to be done! I'm hoping that next year we will be retired so we can explore the canal system whilst we're still young enough to appreciate it. You enjoy your trip too. If we come across each other again, maybe we'll have a beer together. (That's all of us not just you and me) x

Hi Sean I cannot tell you how elated I was that someone recognised me! Thank you, once again. We started our boating history in Port Meadow when we bought our first boat, a 32' Dawncraft, from Bossoms boatyard 6.5 years ago. We have done this journey 3 times before but every time is totally different from the last. It's the first time doing it in a real narrowboat though! We have always gone the same way and when we come off the Oxford Canal, we always enter the Thames just above Kings lock. We have never gone through Oxford itself to get onto the Thames. We were thinking of going back onto the Oxford but turning right once we have spent the night at Farmoor reservoir just to see what it's like. When we bought the boat down from Cropredy back in May, we went into The Bell for lunch and we happened across actor Freddie Jones (Sandy from Emmerdale) who lives in the village. We love Abingdon and we weren't too upset last year when gale force winds made us stay there for two days. We found lots of different places to eat including tapas at The Brewery Tap. The Thames is a lovely river if you have time to explore it. I hope you carry on enjoying the next week or so of our adventure and I wish you all the luck, and good weather, for yours. Debs xxx

After watching "The Best Of Dave Allan" last night we settled down to a very peaceful sleep. Have you ever noticed that Robson Green is the spitting image of Dave Allen? Anyway, when we woke up this morning, the sun was out and the day looked very promising. We set off quite early as there was no internet connection to check emails, lottery numbers etc. (I have checked since then and it would appear that I will be going back to work after this holiday) we had only been out for about 15 minutes when it started raining. Correction, it didn't start raining at all, it was Armageddon! The sky went black, raindrops the size of 5p pieces came down in power shower mode and, to counteract the dark skies, lightening flashed and thunder roard overhead! To coin a phrase from Mary Berry, "I ended up with a very soggy bottom!" as well as everything else. It was so bad that we decided to admit defeat and moor up until the worst of it was over. We emerged about an hour later to find that the horrendous weather had been replaced by amazing sunshine. To be fair, the whole day was a put on, take off, put on, take off etc day. As we passed through Enslow a gentleman on a boat called Lily Rose said hello. The then said that he has enjoyed reading about our adventure. I cannot tell you how chuffed I am that, not only does someone recognise me but he said he liked what he read, thank you so much.x We eventually came into Thrupp. I have to say, it's not my most favourite place. It's usually too busy to moor up and I'm not allowed into the pub, The Boat, as I was barred from there a few years ago for daring to criticise the food! His loss though as I do spend a lot of money eating in places that are good! This year, there were no boats moored up in the visitor moorings so maybe I'm not the only one who got barred! We eventually came up to the lock at Dukes Cut Junction where a friendly ginger cat came to say hello. He obviously lives close to the lock as he jumped up onto the gate like a pro! From that lock we did a sharp right into the next lock. That took us just above Kings Lock on the Thames. We have found a nice little mooring spot on the edge of a field and we have sat in the directors chairs taking in the delights of the countryside as well as a couple of glasses of wine. We are now, just over, two thirds through our adventure. Tomorrow,we intend to travel a little way up the Thames, weather permitting, and mooring up at one of our favourite places.