Wednesday 10th June. Abingdon Lock.
Above Iffley lock,set into the ornamental stonework is the bronze representation of the head of a bull. I was able to have a close look whilst waiting at the lock.
It was presented as a starting ring, to the Oxford University Boat Club in 1924 by Lord Desborough, who was the chairman of the Thames Conservancy; who were the efficient managers of the River Thames and the integral weirs and locks and their keepers. Today, we have the Environment Agency. Quite a contrast in more ways than one.
Passing Salters boatyard, I saw a sad sight. The remains of ‘Marlow’; one of the beautiful river steamers built around the turn of the century. It was in the process of being dismantled and was reduced to gunwhale level. On the bright side if one there is; it must have given pleasure to a lot of people during its long working life.
At Sandford lock, Myra managed at last to meet the summer relief lock keeper
who plays an English Concertina. We moored below the lock out of the way whilst the two of them spoke Concertina; not a tongue with which I am familiar, let alone fluent.
Whilst that conversation was in progress, a shout from the steerer of an approaching narrowboat was heard. It was Mike on Nb Sarah Kate that was based previously at Welford, but now at Heritage on the Macclesfield. I walked to the lock and spoke to Mike and Jo. We compared notes, then I spoke to I believe Jake on Nb. Balmaha; I had been following his blog (http://balmaha.blog.co.uk) and it was good to see the person behind the words.
We carried on to Abingdon, mooring above the lock where a small repair required attention. One of the press studs holding the cratch cover to the shell had come adrift.
Five minutes later, the new pop rivet and fastener were in place and holding well.
After lunch, the heavens opened with 20 minutes of the heaviest rain that I have seen so far this year. You will be the first to know, should this record be broken.
2009 Totals – Locks 233; Miles 469.5; Bus pass uses 12
