If we are to go any further the next Environment Agency moorings are at Marlow which is 10 miles and 5 locks away, other than that we will have to pay upwards of £10 per night each for the privilege of stopping. And then another 11 miles and 3 locks to Boveney. Both journeys could easily take a couple of days which would make the whole exercise quite expensive so we have decided to head back to Reading.
7th Fobney Lock 8½ miles 5 locks
Called in at Tesco, which has it's own moorings on the Thames, to top up with general goods. I purchased, amongst all the ususal provisions, a bottle of vodka which, b eing the last item packed, was sticking out of the top of the rucksack. Mistake, on the way back to the boat it fell out and shattered, what a waste.
Diesel calculation again, still using about 2 litres a day so it makes no difference if we are travelling or not. It costs as much in diesel to stay still and generate electricity as it does to travel and make electricity. Resting up after a hectic time on the Thames. A boat came along that we had seen briefly on the Oxford. It is a steel hull but the superstructure is made entirely of pallet wood but in a very interesting way.
The coal boat around here, called Ozzie's, is actually two boats, both 35 foot long. One is the living accommodation and the other is the fuel boat. It is run by an Ozzie, hence the name. The living boat pushes the cargo boat and it seems to work quite well.
14th Padworth Lock 2 miles 2 locks 3 swing bridges
Padworth Swing bridge was broken. Generally the Kennet and Avon has been easier than the narrow system as my travelling companion can work both boats through a lock at the same time so I do not have to work each lock twice.
28th Kintbury 15 miles 19 locks 6 swing bridges 1 lift bridge
I checked with the horse drawn tourist boat to see if they were coming along our way in the next day or so because I wanted to get the pole lathe out and it would have been difficult for them to get their rope over the pole. They weren't but appreciated my asking.
