At about 5.30 yesterday afternoon an Environment Agency email came through saying that Whitchurch Lock (the one just ahead of us) was closed until further notice for repairs. So we decided we’d stay put today — which is no hardship because it’s lovely here. The Meadows themselves can get quite busy with people enjoying the riverside, and there’s a water sports centre at the far end doing summer activities for kids. But the other way, the Thames Path goes through a couple of empty fields which are perfect for letting Macc off the lead so he can dash about. We walked a loop of footpaths last night, and did the reverse this morning. Mid morning, Adrian walked into Pangbourne to get us some things for lunch, and came back with a loaf from the bakery and some Oxford Blue cheese from the cheese shop. It’s like a creamy Stilton, and is made fairly locally.
As the morning went on we began to notice that boats seemed to be using the lock. I walked up to the bridge with Macc to see what was going on, but the lock itself is pretty inaccessible. I could see that boats were using it, and there appeared to be a lock keeper. There’s been no notice to say it’s open, and Adrian asked one of the boats who’d come down what was going on, and they said it was open “for now” — whatever that means. We weren’t moving in the middle of the day anyway, so we’ll see if we hear more later. Meanwhile, the big trip boat from Caversham came past and returned quite a while later. We’re not sure if it went up the lock of whether the pub on the weir stream has moorings outside.
This afternoon, Adrian has been doing accounts for the charity he works for, and I’ve been lounging around. Macc has finally had a much needed nap.
0 miles, 0 locks, free mooring. (51 miles, 20 locks, £74)