Taking to the Thames.

We weren't off very early and after a cruise through the Blake's Wharf Loop we came to Blake's Lock.

No keeper at the lock so Helen had to do a little heaving on the gates, but the last time for a while. A boat was coming up when we arrived and was worried about the strength of the current through the Oracle development. We were able to put her mind at rest.

This is the start, or the end, of the Kennet and Avon and really doesn't make you really want to dive down and check it out does it.

There was a Lock Keeper at Caversham Lock and we had to buy our licence, £39 for two days. She was having a whinge about the keepers getting laid off and not being replaced. In actual fact of the six locks we had a keeper do three of them for us. The river wasn't too busy at all and it was pleasant to watch the houses go by. The wind was a bit gusty and there was occasional drizzle too but we didn't get wet at all.

I really liked the look of this house with tower and boathouse below.

We didn't get a glimpse of the mill or the house at Mapledurham House but the location of the lock was lovely. The sign above makes you realise just how long the River Thames is.

After Whitchurch Lock the scenery leaves the towns behind and I love a nice steep hill next to the river. The trees cut out a lot of the views to the other side of the flood plain though.

We got in a bit of a queue at Whitchurch Lock so I had time to take a picture of the weir by the lock.

The Thames Conservency was responsible for the management of the Thames  from being founded in 1857 until 1974 when it was taken into Thames Water. It had lost the management of the tidal river to the Port of London Authority in 1909.

We were held up even longer at Goring Lock and Helen went up to help speed the flow of traffic by operating the lock for boats. We finally went through and just above the lock we tied up to fill up with water. Helen continued to help boats through the lock. One lady spoke to Helen as she passed through saying that perhaps she should alter her sign board as it still indicated that the lock was self service! Helen spluttered a little but explained that she wasn't being paid for her assistance. The Lock Keepers do where dark blue tops so I can understand the ladies mistake really.

This one is for Ann. It is Shillingford Court and a very sharp bend in the river so will have views down to reaches.

Time was drawing on and we were about half way between Reading and Oxford so started to look for a mooring. This hard bank appeared so we decided to take advantage.

It was made to measure and we fitted between the bushes. Macy liked to hope ashore for a 'look see'. I think we will have to be off earlier in the morning tomorrow to give us a good chance of finding a spot in Oxford.