Windsor - Cookham Lock - Henley-on-Thames

25th June 2014

Hello again everyone.  We have had a very busy and memorable few days.  Full-on!!!

We have reached Henley-on-Thames.  It is exciting as they are preparing for the Regatta week, next week.  We are lucky to get a mooring that costs us £8 for the night.  Next week they are charging £50 per foot for 4 nights.....  We won't be staying - says Pete.

It has been another sunny beautiful day.  On the way Pete thought that Bourne End was a cruiser "Rivera".  The Thames widens and we were joined by yachts.

At Marlow Lock, we are 3-abreast with two other narrowboats.  I am in the middle and Susan has attached the front to SULIS on the right of the picture and Pete has attached to the other boat on the left at the back.  The lock-keeper Nick Harrandell took this photo.  Thanks Nick.

Marlow Lock - 3 narrowboats

As we exit the lock, we see ISADORA 11 our friends (Darryl and Pam) from Roydon Marina and they say "That it's lovely to see us out and about".... I agree.  Such a shame we cannot stop for a chat - Susan remarks!!

Marlow and Isadora 11 approaching

Temple Lock is exciting as we have four boats in the lock.  I have to move as far to the front as possible and the lock-keeper ends up holding onto the front line to avoid my being pushed back into the other boats.  

Temple Lock-keeper

At Hambelden lock we notice a lote of buzzards.  The lock-keeper informs Susan that they are Red Kites.  There are a lot of them around here apparently.  Pete gets excited at the prospect of getting his huge lens out.....

The Regatta rowing lanes are already laid out.  I must keep to the right on these lanes.  There are many rowers practising. 

Regatta Lanes at Henley-on-Thames

We moor in Henley-on-Thames and listen to the sounds of the cox's shouting "lovely", "push" and "Don't get tense", plus lots of other words of encouragement...... to their crew.  Such a wonderful sight to see and you can feel the excitement in the air already.

Henley-on-Thames

Rowers preparing for Regatta week

Total 12 miles and 4 locks (Marlow, Temple, Hurley and Hambleden Locks) - (Mooring £8 per night)


24th June 2014

Pete and Susan went to Windsor Castle to watch the arrival and return of the guard this morning.  The guard was led by the Vancouver Police Band.  Susan was very emotional as they played the Elvis Presley song "Wooden Heart" as they arrived up the hill......

Jubilee Fountain and Windsor Castle

Coldstream Guards

Once back, Pete decided we needed to set off.  I was excited about moving again.

We cruise through Bovney, Bray and Boulter's Locks.  The houses were stunning.  Susan said that she has never seen any like this except for on TV in Dallas....  Pete says "Their boat-house will do us".   Probably bigger than the family home in Hatfield Broad Oak - no kidding.   Boulter's lock was deep similar depth to Teddington except no high-tide...  Susan found it difficult to reach the bollards at 7ft 10 inches.

Amazing houses in Bray

The plan had been to moor up in Clivedon but there was no-where for me to moor.  Pete said "It was like travelling though the Amazon" whereas Susan said "This stretch is stupendous. Stunning and very spiritual".  This forested area is full of beech trees and goes on for miles (Hedsor to Taplow).  Clivedon house is renowned for its involvement in the Profumo affair in 1963.  It is now a stately home and is leased from the National Trust.  Very peaceful...

Clivedon

Clivedon House

The family were tired so at the next lock, Cookham, they asked the lock-keeper where they could moor.  He said that we could stay for the night and that he could give Pete a key to get in and out of the area.  It was the quietest mooring EVER.......  Only £6.75 for the night.  So lucky to moor here with squirrels, deer and dragonflies for company.  Fantastic!!!

Pete and Susan leave Mazey and I together as they head off into Cookham to investigate the village and local pubs.

At 10:45 pm there is a spectacular fireworks display at Clivedon House.  Susan and Pete watch it with a lot of "ooohs" and "aaaahs".  Mazey decides to stay on-board!!  Such a special end to a memorable day...

Total 8 miles and 5 locks (Overnight mooring at Cookham Lock £6.75)