This time we went further upstream on the Thames

Wednesday, 02 November 2011 20:44

For once I will try to get this up before "late" - that is before 10pm, as has been my wont in the last few days!

The first bit of our cruise was the same as we covered with our friend on Monday: except the sun was shining a bit today.

Can you spot a change on Epiphany? .......

I have given her a birthday present (she was launched on 31st October 2006) - more plants to take off the bareness of the solar panels. There are more to come. John is a little concerned that they will cast a shadow on the panels, but I think it will be OK!

We did not know we were in Kent

That was an obscure reference to the white cliffs of Dover. These "cliffs" are the bank at Port Meadow - mostly it runs down to the river and the cattle and horses wade to drink. There was no Lock Keeper at Godstow for John to chat up today, so we did it all ourselves.

John and Tim chat to the Lock Keeper the other day

It was not until we were past the A34 bridge above Godstow that we were back on new, old territory. It is unbelievable that it was March 17th we were last on this stretch from Kings Lock on our way downstream at the start of our Thames adventures.

Blue sky today

Kings Lock has balance beams and the Lock Keeper was "on duty" so he opened it as we approached. The autumn colours here are wonderful - but with the wind today, and more forecast, the leaves will not be on the trees for much longer.

Kings Lock approach

The lock has its own resident dragon

There is a technique to opening both lock gates from one side. It involves a long pole, a hook and an experienced Lock Keeper! However John has mastered the art too, but did not need to use his skill at it today!

Lock Keeper opens the top gates

The Lockie said he had had two boats arrive to go downstream yesterday, both wanting to go to Brentford. They were completely unaware that they could not get below Benson Lock because of stoppages. He suggested they could still get there, but via Napton on the Oxford Canal, but they had better hurry as the flight of locks there were closing soon too! Apparently panic ensued! 

Leaving Kings Lock

Above the Lock is another entrance to the Oxford Canal via Duke's Cut. We are now near enough to "make a run for it" back to the Oxford Canal if the weather turns nasty. We cannot go through Shifford Lock, so are limited in our cruising on this upper part of the Thames. 

Looking back at the stream to Duke's Cut

I love the river up here, once past Godstow - it is wide and has lots of bends and you are really out in the country. A Lock Keeper was on duty at Eynsham Lock too. He understands narrowboats, as he once owned one, and we chatted about the delights of winter cruising. I remember him from our earlier trip up here.

We stopped on the water point above the lock - the elsan and rubbish are below - to use the facilities. 

Watering up

Just beyond us there is space for a narrowboat on a 24 hour mooring. We pulled forward as we were expecting a delivery of our Chinese or coolie, hat for the chimney. We had bought it at Tooleys back in mid October and it has come down via water transport and a short car journey. Thanks Dr Saffin - we can keep our fire dry now.

Swinford Toll Bridge ahead - toll house on the opposite bank

We moved on, complete with hatted chimney, to be above the bridge, joining a number of other well spaced out boats on the rough moorings on the bends within walking distance of the bridge. So now we are planning on enjoying the peace and quiet .......

River Thames, Osney to Eynsham
2 hours 24 minutes, 6.33 miles, 3 locks