boatone
Well-Known Member
Left Penton Hook on Saturday 5th July and returned yesterday after some 16 days of what can only be called a very pleasurable trip. Reached as far up as Abingdon, only had to self serve at 4 locks during normal duty hours and can't thank the volunteers enough for their commitment and friendly assistance although noticeable that they were not as evident above Reading as below.
Never failed to find a mooring where we wanted to be - even at Henley - and didn't touch bottom once either in the fairway or bankside.
Weather was absolutely cracking, if anything a tad too hot last week, and the thunderstorms on Thursday night added a touch of spectacle.
Eating out was a mixed experience - John Barleycorn at Goring (Battered Haddock and Chips beyond excellent at £10.95) and Cote Brasserie at Windsor (probably the finest grilled whole plaice I've had anywhere and only £12.95) definitely at the top of our list of VFM.
There were, inevitably, a few downsides. In particular I was astonished to see how many boats we passed appeared to have no current licence on display. We only saw one patrol boat during the whole 16 days and that passed us at Goring towing a small open boat. We saw very little evidence of boats speeding once we got above Windsor - below Windsor this was sadly not the case with many boats passing moored craft too fast - probably the first to complain if it happens when they are moored up !! A shopping trolley in the river alongside the moorings at Staines almost brought a sour note to the final day but, fortunately, I was cautious in my approach and avoided damage. Dragged it around to the head of the mooring against the bank and informed Spelthorne council this morning - don't ask !!!
SWMBO has decided that a little more comfort is called for with our advancing years so this may possibly be the last long trip in the CLB before we find something a little more suited to our changing needs.
However, overall, it was certainly a very enjoyable one.
Never failed to find a mooring where we wanted to be - even at Henley - and didn't touch bottom once either in the fairway or bankside.
Weather was absolutely cracking, if anything a tad too hot last week, and the thunderstorms on Thursday night added a touch of spectacle.
Eating out was a mixed experience - John Barleycorn at Goring (Battered Haddock and Chips beyond excellent at £10.95) and Cote Brasserie at Windsor (probably the finest grilled whole plaice I've had anywhere and only £12.95) definitely at the top of our list of VFM.
There were, inevitably, a few downsides. In particular I was astonished to see how many boats we passed appeared to have no current licence on display. We only saw one patrol boat during the whole 16 days and that passed us at Goring towing a small open boat. We saw very little evidence of boats speeding once we got above Windsor - below Windsor this was sadly not the case with many boats passing moored craft too fast - probably the first to complain if it happens when they are moored up !! A shopping trolley in the river alongside the moorings at Staines almost brought a sour note to the final day but, fortunately, I was cautious in my approach and avoided damage. Dragged it around to the head of the mooring against the bank and informed Spelthorne council this morning - don't ask !!!
SWMBO has decided that a little more comfort is called for with our advancing years so this may possibly be the last long trip in the CLB before we find something a little more suited to our changing needs.
However, overall, it was certainly a very enjoyable one.
