landlockedpirate
Well-Known Member
We have just got back from a fantastic week on the Thames, the weather was kind and the river very quiet. We only saw 1 other Forum Burgee on a Broom called Manxman, he gave us a cheery wave and carried on downstream.
We only visit the Thames every couple of years, and see lots of differences. I think over the past 10 years its been in decline, but this time we feel its starting to move forward. Some development going on and refurbishments to a number of pubs and restaurants have made a big difference. The only suprise was the closed pub on the bridge in Abingdon.
I will put some restaurant reviews on the sticky thread, but the 2 best meals were at the Bull in Sonning and the Shillingford Bridge above Wallingford.
But the biggest suprise of the week was in Henley. We wanted to nip into town to get some supplies, but the short stay mooring by the Angel was fully taken up by 1 narrowboat, imagine my suprise when the skipper waved us over and invited us to raft alongside. Over the course of the next 2 hours he acted as a floating pontoon for half a dozen boats, helping with all their lines.
Proof that not all narrowboaters hog moorings.
And yes, I left my fenders out all the time, us sea folk are not used to all those hard walls trying to scratch my nice gelcoat.
And finally, we covered 120 miles, over 27hrs running, using 140L of petrol at a cost of £190. For balance the diesel towcar used £205 to get us there and back.
And at no point, not ever, not even a little bit ..............................did we blow up
We only visit the Thames every couple of years, and see lots of differences. I think over the past 10 years its been in decline, but this time we feel its starting to move forward. Some development going on and refurbishments to a number of pubs and restaurants have made a big difference. The only suprise was the closed pub on the bridge in Abingdon.
I will put some restaurant reviews on the sticky thread, but the 2 best meals were at the Bull in Sonning and the Shillingford Bridge above Wallingford.
But the biggest suprise of the week was in Henley. We wanted to nip into town to get some supplies, but the short stay mooring by the Angel was fully taken up by 1 narrowboat, imagine my suprise when the skipper waved us over and invited us to raft alongside. Over the course of the next 2 hours he acted as a floating pontoon for half a dozen boats, helping with all their lines.
Proof that not all narrowboaters hog moorings.
And yes, I left my fenders out all the time, us sea folk are not used to all those hard walls trying to scratch my nice gelcoat.
And finally, we covered 120 miles, over 27hrs running, using 140L of petrol at a cost of £190. For balance the diesel towcar used £205 to get us there and back.
And at no point, not ever, not even a little bit ..............................did we blow up
