Chaye's 5th Birthday

Friday 15th August chugged up to Thrupp. Lovely moorings there and we managed to get in along the best bit by the cottages. The Wine Boat that we briefly said hi to at the Kidlington Lock moored up 2 boats in front. We meet Andy and Diane a couple of years back at Cosgrove near Stoke. They came round to us for a beer on Friday and had an enjoyable eve.

Sat 16th we Facetimed Mick an Elly it is so good to chat to our Aussie pals,we miss Mick's colourful words and Elly's wise ones. Andy and Diane invited us onto their boat Sat night which turned into a very boozy one trying all the new and old wines they had made this year,finishing with melon liqueur. what a head we had the Sunday! We needed to move on to Heyford as we had a train to catch Monday to Eastbourne.

We made it to Heyford about 5pm and so lucky got a mooring spot 100 yards from the station.

Monday 18th caught the 12.56 to Oxford, changed for Paddington, across London and on the Eastbourne train arrived at 16.45 so not a bad journey for £29 return. Pays sometimes to be a senior!

Faye, Chayse and Zelda there to meet us. Ryan got home from work and we had a nice dinner and played Rumikub after I'd read lots to Chayse.

Tuesday went over to Worthing and had lunch at The Cricketers in Broadwater. Meet up with Nan and Grandad, Anne and John and Maria and Anita. A pre birthday do for Chayse but appart from the lovely presents Chayse was pleased to get over to the park after dinner!

Got back home and played lots of games with Chayse which she really enjoys.

Wednesday 20th had a morning shopping for Chayse's birthday present from us,settled on Operation,clothes,belts and books. Went back for lunch then back down to the seafront with Zelda for a walk along to see the remains of the Pier fire earlier in the year.

The clouds came in abit dark but the sea breeze blew them away and we had ice cream with a flake! On our way back to the car.

Again went back for a lovely roast dinner and more games with Chayse.

Thursday 21st decided to spend our morning doing abit of gardening, Baz and Faye done the digging and planting I supervised and tidied up at the end,whilst Faye got lunch.

Caught the train back to Heyford at 12 58. Not such a good journey back as the train from Paddington to Oxford was running 5 mins late and we only had 6 mins at Oxford for our connection to Heyford and as that train only goes every 4 hours we needed to make it. The guard informed us that he would make a phone call and ask the train to wait as their was several of us expecting to catch that train. However just as our train pulled in the Heyford train pulled out! However First Great Western were very apologetic and put us all in Taxis to get home.

Friday 22nd as we only managed to pick up milk and bread in M/S at Paddington we went over to Kizzies Cafe in the boatyard for breakfast,yummy. Then chugged onto Somerton and moored up Baz went in search of blackberries but not very successful.

Saturday 23rd  Filled up with fuel at Aynho Wharfe at 84p needed 111 litres. The long awaited Dr Who was on in the eve. We decided to moor just outside Banbury near Morrisons as we were in need of supplies, and we knew TV signal was not good in town centre. After 3 attempts to moor up and get a signal we got it. Much to Baz relief, I thought the episode was abit naff but what do I know!

Sunday 24th Baz went back to Morrisons to do a beer run and I went into town for some retail theropy. Baz brought the boat into town and then we moored up again as there was a spot right in town. Banbury had beautiful flowers on the bridges. 

Baz brought a couple of tee shirts and a jumper. So then we did a late afternoon chugg and moored up to Slat Mill Lock just outside Cropedy. A boat moored up behind us late in the eve and got completely stuck as it was too shallow. All hands to the deck we managed to get him off but split our boat pole.

Bank Holiday Monday  25th August and it's the wettest coolest day we have had for ages so a day on the boat having a clear up.

Friends and Family on the Thames

Tuesday 5th August set off early out from the K & A into the Thames not as warm as it has been but no rain!  Managed to get good moorings at Goring and had a wander around the pretty village. Saw the Mikron theatre boat there and had a chat will try to see them in Abingdon on Thursday.

  

Wednesday 6th off to Wallingford again where lucky with a mooring although abit high it was a lovely day and really busy there with boats in all directions. We had another boat ask to breast up did not like to say no but it made our boat dark inside. But the weather was fab so we sat out on the back with our table out and had dinner out there and played Rummikub till it got too dark to see.

Had an incident with a poor lady dog walker who had lost one of her dogs and we had seen it swim past our boat about an hour earlier. Lots of people where out looking for Bue and when I text them on Thursday the dog had been found. Hurrah.

Thursday 7th arrived in Abingdon again where lucky to get the last mooring by the bridge. Decided to go to see The Mikron theatre showing Troupers. We realised it was in The Plough in a village about 8 miles out of town so got a Taxi, had a lovely eve the performance was fab and we managed to get a lift home.

 Friday 8th August Sue and Kay arrived about 2 pm long journey as traffic was bad. Went for a walk round town through the Abbey ruins then went for a cuppa in Thromwing Buns. Then back to the boat for dinner and a game of cards. Such good fun having the girls here.

Saturday 9th August cruised up the Thames to Oxford. A little breezy but no rain yet! Moored by The Folly Bridge, unfortunately we where right by the bench where the regular town drinkers sat. Reasonably harmless we where told,but at midnight one of the guys had come back fallen asleep on the bench then fell off! We called the police and by the time they came the street drinker had disappeared ! ! We had a lovely afternoon around town having tea at The Vaults at St Mary's Church. Kay managed to find a smashing dress for her nieces wedding. Played Uno and 7's for money! In the eve.

Sunday10th I went into town with the girls got a wander. Baz. Stayed on Boat,happy to have some peace and quiet! Girls went home about 4ish after late lunch.

Monday 11th August we went to the station to meet Kate and the girls unfortunately the train was two hours late. Had a wander back to boat, I enjoyed time with Molly and Connie whilst Kate and Baz went in town for a drink. Played Careers and Baz won. 

Tuesday went into town for a wander, Kate loved the old buildings, but with heavy showers on and off went into Pub for lunch. 

When we came out sun was out so back to boat for tea. Connie did not settle in the eve,but eventually went off to sleep. Played Go and I won.

Wednesday 13th decided to go to the castle before catching the 1.30 train,had fun going in the stocks and trying on the battle ware in the shop.

Said our goodbyes to Kate, Molly and Connie sad to see them go,went to the Pub for our dinner as I could not be bothered to cook! Came back after shopping at Sainsbugs and had a little nap! Then had a grand tidy.

Thursday 14th August left the Thames and got up to Kidlington after filling up with water and emptying out!  We painted the roof of the boat here last year. Had a nice chugg and missed all the showers although a lot of thunder around. Strang to be back on the single locks again seems so small! But spied a Kingfisher tonight catching a fish,whooh.

Hungerford to Reading

YTuesday 29th left Hungerford intending to stop at Kintbury,we have not manage to get BBC to watch the Commonwealth Games which is a little frustrating! So we stopped at Kintbury and again no BBC so we decided to chugg on to Newbury.

We got there 4ish and where lucky to get the last spot before top lock under the trees lovely.

Wednesday 30th just moved our boat up a couple of spots and went round the town. Baz brought some new shoes,Crocs again, and I found a nice top in Trespass sale. Had a coffee in square and watched the sports centre youngsters promoting short tennis. Great fun. Back to boat for lunch,then had an early eve pint at The Hatchett in town, Faye phoned to tell us about Eastbourne Pier.

Thursday 31st moved on to Thatcham nb Robert asked to moor up alongside then the boat behind moved so we walked him up to the vacant spot. Then 10 mins or so another boat asked to 'breast up' this time it was the Canal Christain Minister hardly going to say no! They where very pleasent good job I am a good Christian lass!

Friday 1st August needed to get some hours done as we knew Saturdays weather forecast was not good. Started out ok got to Woolhampton and 2 boasts pulled out in front of us. Not hire boats so did not hand about. We where pleased of their help at Aldermaston as the Big Road Lock is really heavy and we had an Electric Swing Road bridge to go through so all went together. Then we got to. Tyle Mill another electric swing bridge which had broken and had to operated by RCT only every 3 hours so had to wait till 3 pm. We all decided to fill the gap between lock and bridge and lock so would be first out!  Then all had a cuppa.

Got to Sheffield Lock at Theale and after mooring up and chatting to Alan our travelling companion and Dog -James, and another couple who where just walking their little dog Toby we all went up the Pub.

Sat 2nd the BBC got it right and we had some heavy down pours, but it cleared by the eve and we had a lovely walk round Hopshall Lake before dinner. pudding was freshly picked blackberries and apple crumble.

Sunday 3rd headed off to Reading hoping for moorings round the Loop by the Gaol and old Abbey ruins. We where lucky and had a wander around town having a beer at Iguanas in the Oracle. it's like being abroad with everyone sitting out in bars enjoying the weather.

Monday 4th had my hair cut in town and got train tickets to go and see Chayse for her birthday on 18th for a couple of days. John Lewis have a fab store in town but nothing we need Urggg!

Going out tonight for a curry having a break from my galley 

Reading is much nicer than I expected and the moorings are very safe and quiet. Apart from the geese!

Off on The Thames tomorrow.