Is this the wiggliest?

Wednesday, 30 March 2011 13:39

Continuing our cruise from Newbridge  ...    We were told that the upper River Thames is "wiggly" as it wends its way west.

The stretch after Rushey Lock bears this out until Old Man's Bridge is reached. Once this was a popular venue for swimmers - with the bridge making a convenient jumping platform.

Radcot Lock is next and then the river divides, the old stream goes under Radcot Cradle Footbridge and a "navigation cut" to the right leads to the "new" Radcot Bridge.

Radcot Cradle Footbridge

The stream in the cut can run fast and boaters are warned as the bridge is narrow and in a fast stream can be difficult to negotiate.

Warning!

It was pretty benign for us - and due to moored boats we took it slowly. The old stream is used for moorings too.

The Swan Hotel is on an island on the north bank before the bridge - moored boats surround it. I am told it can be entertaining to sit in the riverside garden watching helmsmen struggle against the stream and negotiate the narrow single arch of the "new" bridge. The bridge was built in 1787 and cost £400.

Looking back at the Swan Hotel

Boats coming downstream have the right of way at the bridge - and the stonework bears marks of boat collisions! After the bridge, the channel bears sharp left to meet with the old stream to continue towards Grafton Lock.

Radcot Bridge

The arches of the old bridge can be seen over the moored boats - only small boats can now pass through it on the old stream or backwater. It is said to be the oldest bridge on the Thames, possibly built around 1200.

Radcot Old Bridge

It is a lovely bridge - but it is a pity it is now so inaccessible for "ordinary" passing boaters! Clickety click for detail of the bridge's north arch and stonework.

Grafton Lock is very isolated and surrounded by fields and meadows.

"...., the lock seemed in 1910 particularly lonely and inaccessible except by water. Radcot Bridge, a mile and a half downstream, was the keeper's nearest contact with supplies. ..... and down to the bridge he must trudge, or shove a punt, for his coal and other necessities. For milk, with which in such a country you might fancy the very ditches would overflow, he had to walk three miles every morning, an adjacent farm finding it too troublesome to save him a supply from its London dispatches. For a doctor, a priest, or a crack with a neighbour, he might as well be in the proverbial backwoods."  The Stripling Thames by Fred S Thacker.

We found our mooring at Eaton Hastings - a small strung out village consisting of a few farms, a small church, and a "grange". Sadly it is not accessible from the river.

Mooring at Eaton Hastings

We had fun getting off the bank in the morning due to the wind - but that is another story!  

River Thames, Newbridge to Eaton Hastings

4 hours 47 minutes, 12.25 miles, 4 Locks