Warning – this archive may be boring – do not read unless you really haven’t got anything better to do!

Waterways: River Avon; Kennet and Avon Canal; River Thames; Grand Union Canal; Regents Canal;

Note: We haven’t done so much cruising this winter so I’m combining a whole 6 months into one page.

6/10/07

Came back to the boat late last night – another busy (and noisy!) night in Bristol – slept well though – we were knackered after a busy week.

Having a relaxing morning of pottering around until Mike and Chris join us later. We may have a cruise round the floating harbour this afternoon before going to Cardiff for the rugby.

7/10/07

Breakfast and lunch on deck – amazing weather! Convivial cruise back up to Bath.

13/10/07

Came back to the boat late last night ready for the long cruise east. Still debating whether to do Caen Hill this weekend – we’ll see how we feel. Met lovely greyhound this morning (Kilvane Mist) – irish brindle who was rehomed less than a fortnight ago. She had bonded to her owner already – wonderful to observe!

Cruised to Bradford on Avon and moored up early. Had the luxury of a 24-hour mooring so easy to get on/off the boat (plank needed at the 14-day moorings) but still close to the park for dogs.

Had supper at the ‘Beef and Barge’ by Bradford Marina – plain pub food (good), poor service, and a bit crummy but dogs were allowed in the upstairs bar (which also had a big screen for the rugby).

England through to the world cup final – gutted!!!!!

14/10/07

We decided to have an easy weekend so we’re just aiming for Sells Green or Foxhangers at the foot of the Caen Hill- we’ll do the flight next weekend.

Beautifully sunny day and very warm – perfect for cruising and better than in July!

Ended up just above Seend bottom lock not far from our favourite Barge Inn.

28/10/07

Came down late last night ready for the push to Caen Hill.

Started out at 9am from just above Seend bottom lock and had a good morning’s locking – got to Caen Hill 44 by 2.30pm. Shared the main flight with nb Lady Molly – very convivial.

Mad rush then to pick mum up from Bradford on Avon train station – Richard doing a good job of the car/bike relay. I dropped mum off at the bottom of Caen Hill – I’d stopped there to show her the impressive view of the locks and she decided to walk up – she did it in impressive time too!

We then cruised to Horton Bridge and moored up outside the pub – friendly service, allows dogs, food ok and big screen for the rugby! Good dog-walking nearby – rabbit filled field!

19/10/07

Another busy day’s cruising. More good weather but very cold in the morning with thick mist on the water but crystal blue skies above. When the sun shone through the mist we were blinded!

Made it to Great Bedwyn by evening. Mum decided to stay in but we found a pub to watch the rugby (the Cross Kings) – dog-friendly, nice atmosphere and traditional pub food (in my case, faggots, and very good they were too).

20/10/07

Mum looking and feeling much better for the company and the activity (we’ve had some deaths in the family recently). We had more company today as we welcomed Carolyn, Nick, Josh and Laura aboard. Very good day’s cruising – Nick is a very good boat driver and Carolyn and Laura were very competent crew. Josh enjoyed being the figurehead/captain at the front. With her usual aversion to crowds, mum spent a lot of the day walking between locks – she must have walked miles! Good for her!

Moored in Kintbury – useful mooring, good services and train station (erratic train service on Sundays).

21/10/07

Cruised from Kintbury to Aldermaston Wharf. Busy day and a shame not to be able to stop and explore towns like Newbury. Another fine day though and interesting bit of canal.

Convenient train from Aldermaston to Kintbury for the car so we could have a swift journey home. Dogs were very good on the train.

26/10/07

Today we went from Aldermaston Wharf to Sonning. Shared first few locks with a pleasant couple on nb Hazel Laphroaig then shared the rest with nb Globetrotter – not such pleasant company but he was FAST!

Got to Reading in no time at all and had a useful stop at Tesco on the Thames – so nice to bring the trolley right to the boat!

Had a fine supper in ‘The Bull’ in Sonning. They were having an american theme night – amazing food, great atmosphere and dog-friendly (allowed in the bar). They had a pink corvette parked outside and a great Elvis singing inside!

The Bull – moor on the right just below Sonning Lock and look for the small footpath on the right that goes past the church (through the graveyard) – the pub is just on the other side of the church gate.

27/10/07

Got totally confused this morning as we thought it was Sunday and that the clocks had turned! Finally worked it out with the help of a lock-keeper who told us what day it was (Saturday!)…..

Fast cruise down the river – utterly lovely – autumn colours, surreal mists, and, of course, fabulous houses. Passed through Henley – one of my favourite places on the river (apart from the rowers who do cause me some anxiety).

Moored above Hurley lock opposite the weir (above the footbridge). Good mooring for £5 a night – quiet, good access to the village and great for dogs. Celebrated an engagement here – our friends Ken and Sue – what a great thing – it’s definitely the fall of the last great bachelor!

Note: Park warden for Hurley mooring – 01628 823710 or 07885 930211

28/10/07

Great mooring on Cliveden Islands – downriver from Cookham lock. There’s National Trust moorings on the left-hand island (going downstream) – £6 per 24 hours (no idea how you pay – they’re deserted!). Great rummaging for dogs. We only stopped for lunch but I very much fancied having my own island for the night!

We cruised as far as Boveney lock – lovely trip as the banks of the Thames look great in their autumn colours. Good mooring at the lock (by arrangement with the lock-keeper, who was very helpful). Not so convenient for transport though.

3/11/07

Beautiful day today – warm enough for T-shirts just about. The river was crisp and beautiful in its autumn colours. Richard did a solo cruise down to Staines and has found a paricularly fine mooring spot. It’s a pontoon mooring on the left just downstream of Staines Bridge (just down from ‘The Outback’ pub).

I did today’s car shuffle and had a particularly disasterous trip. I missed two trains by a whisker, ended up hanging around Southall Station (not the best) and then topped it off by losing my purse on the train.
I ended up stranded in Windsor (not a place to be if you haven’t got any money!) – a kind taxi driver took me to Staines, trusting to the fact that Richard would meet us there and pay the fare.

4/11/07

Another lovely day and a fine cruise down the Thames – what a fabulous river.

We had a leisurely morning – went for a wander round Staines town centre with the dogs – was determined to get coffee at Starbucks. Two big dogs seemed as remarkable as aliens to the good folk of Staines – luckily most people were kind and curious – dogs got a huge amount of fuss!

Got to Kingston at 4pm-ish and moored upstream of Kingston Bridge on the park side – fine place for dogs and easy access to town. Had an hour or so’s shopping before having dinner in “Strada” – a particularly fine Italian restaurant.

There were tremendous fireworks in Kingston – possibly the most spectacular display I’ve ever seen. Poor old Blue was totally stressed out by the noise (which was terrific).

5/11/07

Another amazing day – sunny and still, though much colder today. The river looking crips and inviting. Had a good cruise down the tidal reach to Brentford – river like a millpond – hardly any flow at all.

Shared the Hanwell flight with Barry – pleasant company through the flight. This stretch is great – especially for dogs who get to run around the whole flight. The area away from the canal is a bit grim but the locks and towpath are scenic. We had lots of onlookers/helpers today – good to see the towpath being used.

Arrived back at Engineers Wharf at 4pm – not a soul here! Felt like there should have been a brass band and bunting to greet us back from our great western adventure.

Note: The Fox pub near the Hanwell flight was recommended though we haven’t tried it ourselves.

Boxing Day 2007

Last cruise of 2007! Lovely weather so did a run to the Black Horse pub and back (an hour or so). Richard put the timer on the heating so no more frost worries though the boat was fine through the recent cold snap.

12/1/08

First cruise of the New Year with dogs – just to the Black Horse pub and back. The food there is standard pub fare but it is dog-friendly and had big screens so we could watch the rugby.

Took the curtains down for washing today.

8/3/08

Goodness – it has been a long time between visits – how time flies! We’ve just popped in to do a bit of maintenance and we may have a little cruise later if the weather holds. Richard is clearing out the bilges and I’ve just re-hung the curtains.

Note: the curtains shrunk badly in the wash and will probably need to be dry-cleaned next time.

We have some new neighbours as Engineers Wharf has filled up considerably since we last visited. This is great – it really gives a fine finish to the development.

21 & 22/3/08

Richard came up yesterday to do some DIY – had a productive day as he found the real switch to the water pump (long story) and finished fitting the insulation.

We’ve come up to cruise today – need to get to Paddington Basin this afternoon. It is freezing cold, windy and we’re getting pelted by occasional showers of snow, sleet, hail and rain! Possibly the most horrible day’s cruising ever!!!!!

Pump-out done today; water filled yesterday.

23/3/08

Welcomed my aunt and uncle (Beryl and Chris) aboard today and had a cold cruise from Paddington Basin to City Road. They seemed to enjoy the experience but maybe they were just being kind – it was serious brass monkeys on deck!

24/3/08

Tortured my aunt and uncle a bit more by taking them for a chilly trip around the Olympic site (Bow Back Rivers) – it was a tiny bit warmer today……

15/4/08

Cousin Denise and her son Rhodri staying on board this evening. They’re off to the O2 tonight to see WWF wrestling and they’re using the boat (moored at Limehouse Basin) as a floating hotel.

Have had a few bobbles round the boat and it’s looking at its very cleanest. This won’t last once we start cruising in earnest!

16/4/08

Did one last trip around the Olympic Park with Pauline, Peter and son Matthew and Ben Woolff – all Richard’s clients/friends. Also joined by Robyn, the marina manager. They were all brilliant company though it was perishingly cold.

I wonder if that’ll be our last trip round the Olympic site? Although they haven’t physically blocked the Bow Back Rivers we don’t think it’ll be long before they do. Shame, it would be great to go again when the stadium’s being built. I suspect that it’ll be so huge that we’d get a view from the other side anyway!

18/4/08

Today we left Limehouse and headed west (Shame – Limehouse is easily Richard’s favourite mooring). Easy trip to City Road Basin where, with a bit of luck, the boys from Revolutions will join us on Friday for the cruise to Paddington. Note: didn’t happen!

Lots of trash in the canal – prop needed clearing by the end of the trip! Hope it’s a bit cleaner further up the canal.

Richard has cycled back to Limehouse to get the car while I’ve relaxed on board – sweet! It didn’t take him that long…

Onwards…..

That the end of the transcription of our paper log – it’s Blog all the way from now on……