Wednesday 12th September 2018 in Abingdon.
A cool, overcast morning after overnight rain. Last night, R went into the Hotel for a drink with the couple moored behind us. They are Kevin and Barbara, Aussies on a six week narrowboat cruise, and this morning we chatted again as we both prepared to "let go". As usual, we took a photograph and a very tame and vocal duck (nicknamed "Quackers") decided he also had to be in the picture.
What a house - and a boat house too, the house is called Shillingford Court. The Boat House (only) was for sale last year - two bedrooms, two reception rooms, a small private garden and a nice location all for £1,250,000. Heaven only knows what the main house would go for!
Days Lock. It was here that the lock keeper, Lynn David, noticed children playing Pooh Sticks on the bridge and decided to hold a "World Pooh Sticks Championship" to raise money for the RNLI. That was in 1984, this year was the 35th Championship and it was attended by several hundred competitors. Due to the increase in its popularity, it is now held at Langel Common, Witney, Oxfordshire. These youngsters were getting some practice at the original venue.
Lovely to see these cows and their calves coming down to the river for a drink.
The Wilts & Berks Canal was opened in 1810 to link the Kennet & Avon Canal at Semington, near Trowbridge, with the Thames at Abingdon. The canal was abandonned in 1914 but there is a very active restoration group. The original junction in Abingdon has been built over, so a new junction has been created just south of the town and a short arm opened up about 200 yards long.
A month ago, we passed the other end of the old canal at Semington on the Kennet & Avon Canal.
All that stands between these two ends of the canal is 52 miles and 42 locks, so it might be a while before we can sail directly from one end to the other!
The barometer is rising! Let's hope that it bodes well for the weather for the next month.
By the time we arrived in Abingdon, the sky had brightened considerably and we had escaped without any of the forecast showers. The moorings at Abingdon are excellent, they are free and allow for three day visits.
As the sun went down, the church was beautifully reflected in the river as in a mirror.
Tomorrow, M has to go home for one night, so we will catch the bus in the morning to take us to Didcot, the nearest station; M will go home and R will visit the Didcot Railway Museum. Saturday, we will continue on to Oxford.
Today: 10 miles, 3 locks and 4.1 hours.
Trip: 289 miles, 184 locks and 194.9 hours.
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