We had a spectacular sunset last night, and then this morning dawned sunny and very still. A complete contrast to the strong winds of the past couple of days.
We left our lovely mooring at a little after 8.30. While quite a bit of this stretch has little other than trees and fields alongside, there are a few houses — and we particularly liked this one, which I think was at Burcot.
On the approach to Clifton Hampden there were warning signs about work on the bridge. And there is indeed work going on to repair the brickwork. I hope they’re going to do the next arch as well, because there were a good few bricks that looked likely to fall out at any moment. It certainly looks much better on the bits they’ve done.
We arrived at Clifton Lock just before 9.30 and thought we’d have to wait for it to open. But it was already unlocked and on self service so we could go straight in. The lock keeper here clearly likes his plants, and someone has a sideline selling ice creams too.
The Appleford rail bridge is the main feature of the next stretch. It’s one of those that appears to be made of meccano.
On the approach to Culham Lock there’s a nice view up the weir stream to Sutton Bridge. Last time we came on the Thames we were going the other way and missed it completely. The bridge then continues over the lock cut, but in a much less impressive fashion.
There was a lock keeper on duty, and he prepared the lock for us so we could go up. The restrictions really haven’t impacted us at all. By the time we were up, there were three boats to go down. Around the corner from the lock cut is the new start of the Wilts and Berks Canal, which if the restoration is ever complete, would link up with the Kennet and Avon. The old junction is further up, marked by a sign, and can’t be used because the route has been built on.
We had made good time getting Abingdon, our planned destination, so it was a matter of looking for a space. It’s a lovely scene as you come into town.
There was a space on the park before the bridge so we grabbed it, because you never know whether there’ll be one round the corner. All the moorings in Abingdon are nice, but these ones probably have the best view. We’re on a slight bend, so we have the bow in so we can get on and off relatively easily, but the stern is well out.
After lunch we took Macc for a run in the meadows beyond the bridge. He loves it, but has a real adolescent attitude at the moment where he just refuses to come when he’s called — especially if he’s picked up something he knows he shouldn’t have! His find today was a whole roll of poo bags someone had dropped, so once we’d got it off him we claimed them. I had a chat with the lock keeper at Abingdon about doing a podcast interview, and after a chat with someone at the regional press office I’m going back to do the interview shortly.
8 miles, 2 locks, free mooring thanks to the Vale of the White Horse District Council. (74 miles, 27 locks, £124.50)