Could I throw a rope - not for nuts today!

Monday, 28 March 2011 20:25

What a disgrace, after all the years' practice I have had, my rope throwing skills deserted me today. Eynsham Lock was no problem as it only has a 2'9" rise, so I could step off onto the side. We emptied at the facility below and filled up at the water point above! The Lock Keeper was the chattiest so far.

Moored at boaters facilities below Eynsham Lock

Swinford Toll Bridge (built in 1777) crosses after Eynsham Lock; the tolls were fixed in 1994 and can only be changed by Act of Parliament  - a car toll is apparently 5 pence. The River Thames becomes more "bendy" now - some large bends and some tight ones.

Swinford Bridge

Upstream of the bridge are some moorings - £5/day, collected  - but a little further on there are "rough moorings" which seem a little more popular. Oxford Cruisers have diesel and there are a number of narrowboats moored there and a fleet of Anglo Welsh hire boats - we have yet to see one on the go, but we passed a Blakes cruiser swishing along today.

Oxford Cruisers

It was at Pinkhill Lock my throwing skills went AWOL. I brought Epiphany in and completely missed the bollard! John had got hold of the bow rope - so at least he was under control! I eventually gentled the back across to the side and looped the rope around. The Lock Keeper helped John open the sluices and we left, with thanks.

Leaving Pinkhill (or "Pinkle") Lock

Bablock Hythe is mainly a large caravan park with landing stages for small boats; eventually it all ends at The Ferryman Inn. Most of the caravans were shut up, but one or two owners were getting ready for their holidays and spring cleaning.

Looking back at Bablock Hythe caravan park

A ferry has been here for at least 1,000 years; sadly it is no more, so this is not the ferry:

The Ferryman Inn and "ferry"

I missed again at Northmoor Lock! This time it was not so easy, as John had to climb down to get the bow rope and I was far from my bollard! I had thrown the rope three times by then and it had been in the water too. I had to give it a bit of welly to get back to the side and eventually got the rope around. Still, we did the lock on our own and I managed to pick John up again despite the boats moored on the lock landing.

It was not much longer that we decided that it was time to moor - we went under Hart's Footbridge, passed some lovely chalet style houses with their own boathouses and found our mooring.

Moored about half a mile from Newbridge

River Thames, above Kings Lock to Newbridge
4 hours 3 minutes, 8.92 miles, 3 locks