Tag: taking a narrowboat on the thames

Last night went to the Tap Room. Fisherman I was talking to where I moored advised the ‘spoons. Whilst looking around town, I had a look in ‘spoons and it was much like any other. Groups of disheveled drinkers with the ambience of an airport lounge, hardcore regulars by the look of them. It’s a utilitarian feel and I had no right to be there so I moved on…

The only place I found in Windsor which was busy was Zizzi, the Italian chain. Whether it was a private party or what I don’t know but it was packed to the rafters, the rest…. Pretty much empty. A common theme I’ve found going around these Thames towns.

Tap Room Windsor

The tap room was fairly busy. Small groups of people outside, people inside enjoying a drink and a chat.

The beer in there is second to none. I had an Eton Boatman Ale. Delicious. Only lasted about 4 minutes! That’s the sign of a good drink!

Anyone visiting on a boat, I’d recommend the Tap Room. It’s serves the best beer.

Not really hanging around to drink more. I took my walk across the park and back to the boat…

Got going from Henley early in the morning to avoid attention from the mooring authorities.

The pub I went to in Henley the night before, was dead. I was the only person in there at 9.40pm. Just me and the barman. I’m starting to notice this is a common theme in the places I’m visiting where I might just have a drink or two.

Went for a walk around Windsor last night, a few people out, certainly not many.

Still. Henley was nice.

The river has a few more houses backing onto it down here. It’s still mostly countryside.

There were a flock of parakeets in the trees on the way out of Henley.

I drove past the Rewind Festival which they were just taking down.

There were a couple of rowers. Some could keep up with the boat.

I have to do 5mph on the river, although many go faster. It’s kind of an arbitrary limit. Other users are more concerned about ‘wash’. I tend to stick to 5 in Bonnie. She’s kind of happy at around that speed, so there’s really no point in going any faster.

Which is just the right distance. Took about 5-6 hours. Straight through. I had a late start in Wallingford due to trying to achieve some things on the computer.

After going down to Waitrose to get milk and finishing up the videos and stuff it was getting on for 11.

Instead of stopping for lunch, I decided to make a sandwich and just eat it when I was hungry. Save messing around.

I’m yet to start looking for gainful employment. Whilst the weather is fine and I still have some money left, I’ve decided to move the boat over a little.

Oxford Canal

The Oxford canal is being shut down in stages.

It’s very short of water.

Many of the places I’ve visited in the past in the summer are now not reachable from the South.

Here’s some links Southernmost to Northern.

Aynho Wharf Strech
Pig Place – Nell Bridge
Cropredy – Slat mill and Little Bourton locks
Cropredy – Varneys lock and Claydon Flight

All of them are closed to navigation. The water levels are too low. That gives you an indication of the scale of the problem on the canal. Roughly half of the Oxfordshire section I navigate is close or restricted.

For that, and other reasons, I’ve decided to move my operations over to the Grand Union Canal. Which, looking at the regular updates from the Canal and River Trust, is having relatively less problems.

Also, the mobile signal should be more consistent. In Oxfordshire, it’s seen a significant drop in speeds and reliability, and I suppose if I want it to be, the Grand Union is closer to the action.

To do this, my only option now is to passage along the Thames.

West to East

More or less straight across. It was around 110 miles when I measured it last.

Jericho

Spent Friday night in Jericho which is basically central Oxford. Went out for one or two drinks then got going in the morning through ISIS lock.