Henley on Thames to Burghfield (Kennet and Avon)

Thursday, 26 June 2014

Another full-on day..... as we leave Henley on Thames.  The family are up early and Pete has his head down where my engine lies.  I have a bolt which has come loose off of the filter.  Pete manages to repair me....

Lovely views of the riverside houses in Henley as we pass by.

Henley on Thames

Riverside houses

I get a close up of an Egyptian goose and agree with Susan that it has strange eyes but amazing feathers.   Also, Pete notices that there are lots of mooring spaces at the park on the outskirts of Henley. However, the family were happy with their mooring last night.

At Marsh lock Pete chats to another narrowboat owner who suggests to keep going on the Kennet and Avon beyond Newbury and then it is wonderful!!  He suggests the Tesco moorings in Reading and Goal moorings too.  Then he recommends staying at the Cunning Man in Burghfield.

At Shiplake lock there has been a technical problem and two boaters in front of us have been waiting for one and a half hours whilst the lock keepers sort it out.  Thankfully, we go through quickly.

Pete and Mazey chilling at Shiplake Lock

At Sonning lock Susan and Pete get chatting to the owners (Roger and Karen) of another nb called Comet.  They are also going to Bristol on the Kennet and Avon.   We all decide to shop at Tesco's before the new adventure on the K&A.  Susan comes back laden like a donkey.........

Susan and Pete have decided to make a dash for Burghfield tonight as the weather forecast for tomorrow is not too good.  As we head to the K&A entrance Comet joins us.

The first lock (Blake's lock) is owned by Thames Conservency even though not actually on the Thames.  It has wheel paddle operation.  The boaters in front tell Susan that these are the type of locks on the rest of Thames to Letchlade.  I go abreast Comet.
As Comet have done this stretch through Reading before Pete asks Roger to lead the way.  Thankfully!!  There is a section controlled by traffic lights and you can only pass through when they are green.  There are retail shops and restaurants along this stretch.... It is not possible to moor here as the river is too narrow and flows quickly...  Susan suggests to Pete that it might be good to find a mooring at the Goal section on the way back so they can explore the shops.

All excited to see the Welcome sign.

Start of the traffic light signals

Reading shops

County Lock

For the rest of the journey to Burghfield we are supported by Comet and her crew.  There are a couple of incidences by other boaters who get caught by the weir and struggle but everything turns out fine.

I go through meadows and lush green vegetation - a jungle!!  Seems a bit strange after the wide expanse of the Thames but am loving it.  So peaceful.  All locks are now manual  so the family are happy to share the locks with the Comet crew.

Thankfully, moorings are available when we reach the Cunning Man.  A good place for the family to re-charge their batteries, mine too, before we continue our adventure to Bristol.  Susan and Pete join Roger and Rupert (who have decided to stop here for the night too) for a quick pint before dinner.

TOTAL:  8.5 miles and 3 locks (Marsh, Shiplake and Sonning) on the Thames to Reading.  Kennet and Avon Reading to Burghfield 4 miles and 4 locks.