Day 15 - mooring at Goring!

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3 locks, 88 in total.







Anchor – yes. Lifejacket – yes. OK – we're all set for the Thames.







A rather long, slow journey today, against current and a strong headwind. There was some lovely scenery and even lovelier houses as Caversham, Mapledurham, Pangbourne and Goring have embraced the river in a way that Reading hasn't.







Even with maps, there is precious little warning of lock or other moorings, weir streams, etc. and much of the bank is either privately owned or at least has private moorings. Facilities individually were good but overall there just isn't enough, and coming as we did from the Kennet & Avon we are used to poor boater facilities. There are well-informed and helpful lock-keepers though so we had a lazy time. Overall I think I prefer the canals to this section of the Thames, at least in a narrowboat. All the little GRP cruisers were nipping around but we can't do nippy!







We went past an alpaca farm. They'd been shorn recently and looked so skinny and cold. Also saw a grebe with a couple of fish in its beak. At Tilehurst (I think) there must have been 50 or more swans congregating around a slipway – a little early for the swan-upping.







Slight lack of photos earlier on today – wet and I was helming.







And we've been hit again – are we a magnet or what! We were moored and he hit us midships....

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Photos

At Caversham...
...one of many lovely houses.

Caversham Lock
Although it could be any of the locks - several weirs and a small lock entry.

Milepost....
... if you can read it.

Typical scenery
Usually woods on one side and this on the other.

Whitchurch-on-Thames
Opposite side of river to Pangbourne but Whitchurch is the conservation area.

Whitchurch Toll Bridge
Old sign for new sightseers.

Pangbourne -
....obviously NOT a conservation area.

Alfresco dining....
... in a weird glass cage. It was about 100 yards from the house - that's a long way to carry everything.

Goring....
...shame they let the garden go!