We wanted an early start as we had a rendezvous to make - we
managed to get away at 9.30am. There was
a lockie on at Days Lock who spent the entire time on the phone but he did
managed a smile and a “hello”. Between
Days and Benson Locks I made a vegetable shepherds pie. I wasn’t going to tell Richard that it had
Quorn in it but he had seen it in the fridge and knew it was going to be served
in something! He never asks just waits
to see what happens – strange man!! Or
maybe I’m just nosey! The Lockie at
Benson was on the phone the whole time too - maybe she was talking to the man
at Days.
Wallingford was quiet with only a few boats moored up but
there were a lot of rowers out. It seems
strange when I am down below to see a sculler whizzing past!
It wasn’t long before we arrived at Cleeve Lock where we
filled with water. Then it was down
through the lock and to one of our favourite spots on the Thames. There were already two boats there but there
was a nice Mary H sized spot. We had
just finished mooring up when the side hatch of one of the boats opened and it
was Fiona on Epiphany – I wasn’t surprised as they were our rendezvous! We had our lunch and then Fi and John came
over and we sat on the meadow with a cuppa and a catch-up. So far we have managed to catch up with them
every year somewhere on the system and it is so nice to see them. This year they have been on the Nene and the
Fens, we were interested to hear what they had to say as it is the one area we
haven’t been to yet. I’m not convinced
that it is for us but we will do it one year as we have to tick it off the
list! Sadly, well for us anyway, Fi and
John were leaving about 3pm as they were heading up to the Beetle and Wedge at
Moulsford for a special 40th wedding anniversary dinner. They had booked to moor outside and also for
breakfast on Sunday morning – lucky them.
Richard and I wish them a wonderful anniversary.
I’m afraid that the afternoon was spent reading again! It’s a hard life you know!! However I did spend some time with Muffin
doing fetch. He just can’t grasp the
fact that he is supposed to bring the ball back and drop it at my feet but I
decided to try high value treats – hotdog bits and that did help but every now
and again he would still drop it too far away.
 |
| Looking right and left from the boat |
Below Cleeve Lock is such a lovely place. There are lots of backwaters to explore –
maybe next time! I guess we really need
to do it when the Lockie has gone home!
Apparently there was a flash lock recorded on the site in the 16th
century. The first pound lock was built of oak in 1787 alongside a meadow which
was then known as Winch Meadow. It was originally to be called Streatley Lock,
but in the event took its name from the village of Cleeve on the opposite side
of the river. Until 1869 Cleeve Lock and Goring Lock were usually operated a
single keeper. The lock was rebuilt in 1874.
There – some interesting facts!
10.94 miles
3 locks
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