Hanging around in Caversham

Thursday, 23 June 2011 09:00

We have arranged to have some work done at Caversham Boat Services, so turned upstream towards the lock.

Leaving Kennet Mouth

It was really good to be back on the river …..

After a brief stop at Tesco-on-Thames to re-provision we arrived at Caversham Lock, beside Kings Meadow. It was being emptied, so we roped up to the bollards and waited and waited …

Narrowboat at Caversham Lock

Apparently there was an EA barge above that had priority as it was going to sort out a fallen tree, so we had to wait for this to come down before we could go up.

Barge exiting Caversham Lock

Reading Bridge and Caversham Bridges are elegant bridges spanning the river. Reading Bridge is first, carrying one of the distribution roads.

Reading Bridge, built in 1923

I suppose Reading is not really "on the River", but its outskirts and distribution roads certainly are. There was no need for a bridge here until the C20th as the town and industry grew. In 1906, G.E. Mitton wrote "It is not a place which much attracts boating men ....... Did it not lie between two such pre-eminently charming places as Sonning and Mapledurham, boating people would avoid it altogether."

Judging by the traffic on the Thames in the last day or so, modern  "boating people" still have no choice but to cruise through, even if it is only to stop at Tesco or turn onto the K and A!

Above Reading Bridge is Fry's Island, home to Caversham Boat Services (CBS). What nice people work for them!

Fry's Island ahead

We called in to speak to Marcus (their engineer) about our travel power alternator which is making a strange noise. It only needs a new belt, and a mounting bracket tightened, thank goodness - using a washing machine regularly shreds the belts apparently! So that, and a couple of other jobs, will be done when we return to CBS in a day or so.

Hire boats at CBS

Full of diesel again (97 pence without tax) we continued on our way. Also on the Island is the "Island Bohemian Bowls Club". This conjured up a vision of hippies and loud music and "free love" - but I doubt that is what the members get up to! It was once the "Old Codgers Club"; I think they felt they needed to update the image - in 1909!

Island Bowls Club

Caversham Bridge has been spanning the Thames since the C14th. The Chapel of St Anne on the then bridge was founded by the Abbot and Earl Marshall of Reading. By the C18th, some rebuilding had gone on, but by 1812 it was a ruin. A new bridge was built: a bridge of iron. The bridge which now carries the road to lovely Caversham was built in 1926.

Caversham Bridge and trip boats

Above the bridge is Reading Rowing Club and the trip boat staithe. The swans and geese in this area are a real nuisance - encouraged by trippers and walkers who feed them from the plaza. Fortunately for boaters who moor on Caversham Promenade, beside the Thames Path, the birds tend to stay close to their accustomed feeding ground. The poor rowers must have a time chasing them off and avoiding their mess.

Swans and geese on rowing staithe

We cruised on up a little further, but decided it was better to turn at St Mary's Island and moor against Caversham Promenade, well away from other narrowboats and cruisers. Lovely - a gap in the trees means that we can watch a bit of Wimbledon tennis, in between jobs, that is!

River Kennet Navigation, Burghfield to Kennet Mouth
2 hours 5 minutes, 4.09 miles, 4 locks
River Thames, Kennet Mouth to NW end of Caversham Promenade
1 hour 20 mins, 2.79 miles, 1 lock