Getting away from the hustle and bustle

Sunday, 17 April 2011 19:25

This was the plan for today - to move downstream from Abingdon, away from the Sunday comings and goings.

Other narrowboats were on the move

The next lock downstream that has a water hose (most have taps for containers only) is Cleeve Lock. It is a few days away as far as our cruising is concerned! So to be safe we returned upstream ....

Abingdon Lido is right beside the River in Abbey Meadow - apparently it opens in May so it was shut and quiet today.

Narrowboat moored beside Lido

We went up Abingdon Lock with three other boats - not much more room left with 2 narrowboats, one cruiser and a "speed boat". Then it was back down the lock again - after filling up with water and we were off! It is much easier to "wind" on the River Thames, we do not have to cruise to a winding hole as you do on canals. In most places it is wide enough to swing around and let the stream take the bows. No backwards and forwards in a 4-5 point turn!

Once past Burford Bridge again we could see where we had walked - to St Helen's Wharf

St Helen's Church and wharf

The Thames to the Sea sundial on one of the buildings is very attractive

I took a photo of the Wilts and Berks bridge over the mouth of the River Ock.

This was placed here by the Canal company in 1824 to give access to the wharf at the old junction just further downstream.

Old Junction

Down near Abingdon Sailing Club it looked as if a race had just happened or was about to start - we avoided the red race buoys in mid stream!

Abingdon Sailing Club

The Abingdon School Boat Club have a lovely old boathouse - I think the date reads 1840. I wonder if the boys realise that Abingdon School's history of rowing goes back to 1830.

Boathouse

The Marina is possible an excuse for a housing development with the addition of boats - but from what we could see it looked pretty full!

Abingdon Marina entrance

The other end of Swift Ditch at the top of Culham Reach, on the left just past the Marina is under Culham footbridge.

The footbridge sadly masks the beautiful bridge, one of the most important Abingdon Bridges once and built in 1416 by the guild of the Brotherhood of Christ (as was Abingdon Bridge). All traffic now goes over a newer 1927/8 bridge further upstream on the Swift Ditch.

Culham footbridge with old brick bridge

Culham Reach does a sharp left bend - into Culham Cut leading to Culham Lock. But it was time to stop. We found a quiet mooring before the cut and settled down to enjoy the peace and quiet of a gorgeous Spring afternoon. All the windows and doors were open, the cratch cover was well rolled back and after lunch I went for a short walk to explore.

River Thames, Abingdon to Culham Cut (via upstream to Abingdon Lock)
1 hour 47 minutes, 2.45 miles, 1 Lock