Saturday 9th May, Above Days Lock, Dorchester.
Our first chat of today was with the Iffley lock keeper; we set the world to rights in about 35 minutes, why do governments take any longer? From him, Myra discovered that the lock keeper at Sandford, Andy, is teaching himself the Concertina. I knew that this would mean another long, slow descent in the lock whilst the two of them compared notes.
I was correct, but it was fairly sunny and not cold, I was happy to gaze around do nothing in particular until they had finished.
On the reach down to Abingdon, five narrowboats and a wide beam boat passed us heading in the other direction. Two had Kennet & Avon canal locations on the sides, possibly on their way to the Oxford canal and the remainder of the canal system.
We tied up above Abingdon lock, to hear the sound of amplified music from the grass area below the lock. Roger, the lock keeper told us that there was ‘some sort of do with horrible music and dragon boat racing later on’.
We did not require any further information, we decided to move on and moor above Days lock, all ready to visit the Dorchester Abbey Tea rooms on Sunday.
We spent the evening with the group of 13 on the four rowing skiffs, one of whom was celebrating her 67th birthday with a barbecue on the grass. On Friday evening whilst they were camped above Sandford lock, some yobs damaged on of the tents and then jumped on it, fortunately missing the occupant. More evidence in favour of contraception, albeit some years too late.
2009 Totals – Locks 166; Miles 263; Bus pass uses 2.
