Although the mooring at Newbridge didn’t appear to have many walking options for Macc, it turned out to be quite good. We stuck to the Thames Path, but it was wide and fenced off from the fields of sheep and horses, so he could go off the lead without being able to get very far. We set off at about 9 and managed to get away from the bank surprisingly easily. Newbridge itself was just a short distance ahead.
We got to Northmoor Lock at 9.30 and the sign said there was a lock keeper on duty. He appeared after a few minutes, saying he’d just been hanging his washing out. He immediately filled the lock so we could go down.
We passed the pub and the caravan site at Bablock Hythe, and could then see the embankment of Farmoor reservoir up ahead. As we approached Pinkhill, we could see that the mooring we used last week in the heatwave was free, so we grabbed it — we’re just facing the other way now. A few boats have been past, including Cobwebs Afloat. After lunch we took Macc for a walk up the hill, and having started rather chilly it was warm in the sunshine. He seemed to know where we were going, so maybe he remembers these walks from a week ago.
This afternoon I’ve written a little article, and Adrian even did some knitting while Macc was having a nap. Then at just before 4 the weather changed and it started raining — and this was proper rain, not just the half a dozen spots we’ve seen so far. It’ll be interesting to see how long it lasts and how much we get.
6 miles, 1 lock, free mooring. (135 miles, 49 locks, £157.50)