So this is upstream on the Thames!

Thursday, 20 October 2011 19:20

We have finally done it!

Can you guess where we finished up?

Escaped from Reading .......

The photo above is of our now paired plank/ladders; the mooring is familiar to us and by the end of this you will know where, unless you are clever and have guessed already.

My favourite combination - blue sky and trees

We have been so blessed by the weather, it is hard to believe it will continue. We have now seen the River Thames in spring, summer and autumn. I think the colours in the autumn make it my favourite time.

Part of Mapledurham House seen form the river

Mapledurham House is Elizabethan and built in 1612 by the secretly Roman Catholic Blount family. They owned the Bardolf Aisle in the church just behind the house and could pray privately there during the Anglican services. As far as the Church of England (Anglican) authorities were concerned, they were attending church in the "proper" manner! The Bardolf Aisle remains a private aisle owned by Roman Catholics to this day.

We only had one lock to do and another narrowboat was coming down

The elsan here has been out of order for ages - due to vandalism. The Lock Keeper told us that the replacement had been delivered, though not installed yet; it is a carbon fibre one rather than a stainless steel one as before.

On a day like today the Thames Path is popular with walkers - above Mapledurham Lock 

Hardwick House was a Royalist House - once an ancient Manor, it played host to King Charles I, who apparently played bowls!

Hardwick House nestles below woodland

It was sacked by Parliamentarians in 1643. The owner, a certain Mr Lybbe, not having the advantage of "hides" like his neighbour at Mapledurham House, hid to save being taken prisoner. He only managed to save his horses, three of which he then gave into the King's service.

Hardwick Estate extends along the river and up into the hills

Hardwick Estate is organically managed and so supports a wide variety of flora and fauna. We spotted a Red Kite soaring above us, a Kingfisher skimming the water and these cormorants sunning themselves.

Cormorant tree

There was plenty of room at our chosen mooring and we arrived at lunch time. A quick shop and I found some violas in the local hardware shop and topped up our fruit and veg at the Coop.

If you still can't work out where we are, the distant bridge in this photo is also a clue

We invited some Pangbourne friends on board for a cuppa; they (Jen and Rod) are coming with us tomorrow on our next cruise upstream.

River Thames, Caversham to Pangbourne Meadow
1 hour 39 minutes, 4.99 miles, 1 lock