Thursday 28th May, Abingdon, River Thames
No morning tea in bed for the present; Caleb and Madeleine woke me at 7.10am. I didn't mind at all, there is something wonderful about beginning the day with two chuckling grandchildren who wear their innocence on their sleeves.
We moved down to Kings Lock, the first of the day where we bought the licence for the Thames. Both children opened the sluices to fill the lock, Madeleine then held the back rope on the boat whilst I collected the licence. Her job in the locks was to hold the back rope, when the pull was within her capabilities.
At Osney lock, I was handed a leaflet by the temporary lock keeper as today was one of the days of the Oxford Eights Regatta. I asked him if they were racing at the moment as it was 10am. He replied 'Yes'. He was wrong. One novice crew was making its way downstream catching sufficient crabs to supply Claridges for a week. Apart from one eight and one four at a boathouse, no other boats were afloat.
This was a good thing as I was able to look at the wonderful buildings that Oxford can offer close to the river.
We had a picnic at the rear of the boat as we moved towards Abingdon, passing families of Ducks, Coots, Moorhen and a swan with three singlets.
Mooring above Abingdon lock, I wandered down to watch boats going through and to chat to Roger the lock keeper and his summer assistant. Returning to Martlet, I replaced one of the cabin downlighters with a much reduced power consumption 17LED version. This boating lark can be tiring at times!
2009 Totals – Locks 201; Miles 373; Bus pass uses 8
