Rainy day Sunday

I should have named the Diesel supplier yesterday, it was Kingcraft of Abingdon. I was so mad with them I had put it up on “No Problem” Diesel Split site and also emailed the HMRC to complain about the illegal declaration.

I have had a bit of man flu over the last few days and forgot to report on a meal we had at The Barley Mow at Clifton Hampden it scored a GRPS 0.5, no food was cooked on the premises. We had an excellent carvery today at the Crown and Thistle GRPS 1.3.

Also for those interested in the little problems that we have on the boat, when we filled up yesterday the bubble stove still did not work, this was caused by waxing of the diesel in the pipe between tank and stove. Ideally the tank should be within a few feet of the stove but ours runs from the fuel tank which is located at the stern so the run must be over 15 metres. Anyway I put on the Eberspacher which heats up small radiators around the boat and within about 5 minutes the Bubble stove was functioning, we did have a moment of panic when we thought that we would have to service the stove, or worse still get someone out on Monday to repair it.

Today has been a day for staying indoors well wrapped up and recharging batteries, the human kind.

Statistics so far:
362.24 Miles, 272 Locks, 44 Swing Bridges, 2 Lift Bridge, 4 Tunnels. 3 batteries!! 1 Alternator

Abingdon

I thought yesterday was cold but it was much colder today, we didn’t have a fire and the temperature inside the cabin was 7 degrees. We are finally through our last closure obstacle, namely Culham lock and we are now moored up at Abington snuggled up in front of a warm fire with an inside temperature of a modest 16 degrees.

We had our first run in with a purveyor of red diesel. He refused to accept our declaration and was operating a fixed split of 60-40. Not only that he forced us to sign a false declaration, otherwise he would refuse to sell us any diesel. We must get this legislation changed it is absolutely ridiculous.

Today we did 5.29 miles and 2 Locks

Statistics so far:
362.24 Miles, 272 Locks, 44 Swing Bridges, 2 Lift Bridge, 4 Tunnels. 3 batteries!! 1 Alternator

Clifton Hampden

Bitterly cold today, and it doesn’t help that the diesel level has now dropped below the fire working point. So we have to make do with the Eberspacher which just about takes the chill out of the air. Despite the cold the day was glorious for travelling along the Thames, the colours were amazing.

We came along with two other boats today; they are both going to Oxford and mooring there for the winter. Culham lock has opened and so we are now free to move on, we will go through this lock tomorrow. We are moored up at Clifton Hampden, where we hope to give the Barley Mow a good try out for food and drink.

Connection seems to be getting slower.

Today we did 7.85 miles and 2 Locks

Statistics so far:
356.95 Miles, 270 Locks, 44 Swing Bridges, 2 Lift Bridge, 4 Tunnels. 3 batteries!! 1 Alternator

Wallingford at night

Sorry this will be short as we have almost no connection here.

Wallingford is a big disappointment, the night life is a bit rowdy and there was no decent pub near the river.

Speaking to a narrow boat that has moored up behind us, yes another boat going our way. They say that Wallingford has a reputation around these parts for being rowdy at the weekends and I guess that means Thursdays.

We will be off tomorrow to get through our last obstruction, namely Days lock and if Culham opens on Saturday we are home and dry.

Look I promise in the future to bring something deep and meaningful in future blogs.

Now let me think…..

Statistics so far:
349.1 Miles, 268 Locks, 44 Swing Bridges, 2 Lift Bridge, 4 Tunnels. 3 batteries!! 1 Alternator

Wallingford

We were the only boat through the locks since Saturday, bit surprised to find lock keepers on duty at both locks. It was very cold but the thermals did their stuff. We are moored at Wallingford and to our astonishment there are two other boats. We chatted to a chap from the Dutch barge just in front of us and he is winter mooring here. He says that the river can rise several feet above the tow path and the environment agency have put extension poles next to the moorings, last year the water rose above these extensions and they had to add extensions to the extensions, this is done so that the boat does not settle on the tow path when the water goes down.

The marina we stopped at for refuelling and pump out was closed for the winter, we have another 20 hours of diesel before the fire will not work, after that it will be the Eberspacher and layers of clothing. The next place we know for certain is in Abingdon, which is the other side of Culham lock, which we have been told will open on Saturday.

There is always something for us to ponder over.

Today we did 6.19 miles and 2 Locks

Statistics so far:
349.1 Miles, 268 Locks, 44 Swing Bridges, 2 Lift Bridge, 4 Tunnels. 3 batteries!! 1 Alternator

Goring in the cold

We returned back to the boat in the darkness and the cold with the river swirling past us, oh it is great to be back. Sam gave us a lift again so I was able to bring the keyboard which is now safely stowed under the dinette floor. It also nicely into the sitting area for playing so I have to say that was a result.

It is quite cold on the boat as we have not been here during the day, we may have to leave the fire on over night just to get the temperature up.

Ralph is growing every time we see him and he is becoming more aware of his surroundings, he has such a smiley personality. We are not biased here.

We will be leaving here tomorrow and probably go to Wallingford, where hopefully we will have a better connection.

Statistics so far:
342.91 Miles, 266 Locks, 44 Swing Bridges, 2 Lift Bridge, 4 Tunnels. 3 batteries!! 1 Alternator

Map of our location

I have added a map of our location courtesy of “Water Explorer Maps”, these in turn use google earth. So not only do you get a map of our location but you also get a Satellite view of where we are. It’s a pity it’s not live otherwise you could see us. I will update this as we go along and will also try and connect it to our GPS so that it can be tracked automatically. It is located under information on the right.

Back in Croxley for the night and a Ralph fix. Early morning work meeting and then back to the boat.

I have received the keyboard but it is a bit too heavy to lug the mile hike from the train station, so I will have to leave it at Croxley until we are back here for Mick’s wedding.

Statistics so far:
342.91 Miles, 266 Locks, 44 Swing Bridges, 2 Lift Bridge, 4 Tunnels. 3 batteries!! 1 Alternator

Goring

I like these joint towns it saves having to think of a new title for at least two days. This place is the oldest crossing of the Thames, allegedly and according to the notice at the end of the moorings. It’s where the Ridge way crosses the Thames and surprise, surprise we have seen lots of walkers going by. No boats at all today and we once again find ourselves on our own at the moorings, how come winter doesn’t stop walkers but seems to deter your average boater?

We have the slowest connection ever so will keep this short as I am not sure it will post.

I am not sure if making your own bread is a good thing as we may end up looking like loaves, ok so I do anyway. It is so morish.

Statistics so far:
342.91 Miles, 266 Locks, 44 Swing Bridges, 2 Lift Bridge, 4 Tunnels. 3 batteries!! 1 Alternator

Streatley come dancing

A very busy day on the Thames today, we even went through several locks with another boat. All in all there was a total of five other boats travelling on the Thames today, how marvellous.

We are moored at Goring but like the last stop it is joined by a bridge over the Thames with Streatley. And I did manage to set up the TV for strictly, hence the title.

Goring is a bit disappointing after Pangbourne but I guess we need to have a good look around tomorrow.

We have now filled up with water, which is a bit of a relief and should see us through until we get past the lock closures/openings next weekend.

Today we did 5.96 miles and 5 locks

Statistics so far:
342.91 Miles, 266 Locks, 44 Swing Bridges, 2 Lift Bridge, 4 Tunnels. 3 batteries!! 1 Alternator

Another working day

Today sped past, one minute it was morning the next we were off for a late lunch and shopping trip in Pangbourne and then it was dark. Oh how we love the winter, well maybe not.

The river dropped another couple of inches today and we have had to push the stern right out into the river to avoid being beached until we have another flood. We have until the 8th December to get passed Days lock and I have a feeling that we will be on tender hooks until then, there is little point in doing this until they open Culham lock on the 28th November, I know that I have said this before but I for one will be glad to get back on to a canal for the winter so that we do not have to keep an eye on the weather. I know we will still have frozen canal things to concern us but that is for another day. And you cannot beat the scenery and ambiance of the Thames but we all have our little worries and Days lock is looming like some catastrophic and apocalyptic nightmare. Hey its only a stoppage for some minor electrical work, I forgot to mention that I suffer from “Chronic Worst Case Scenario” syndrome, apparently it’s a family trait and Gaby may have it, I wonder if it relates to the Tantric falling thing.

We have two Egyptian Geese nearby I did not have the camera with me and will try and get a shot tomorrow. Frances said that it was the Fez that gave them away; otherwise we would never have known what they were.

Statistics so far:
336.95 Miles, 261 Locks, 44 Swing Bridges, 2 Lift Bridge, 4 Tunnels. 3 batteries!! 1 Alternator