This morning I felt groggy, so I turned over and went back to sleep
until 10am. It was raining so there was
no rush anyway. I got up, had a shower
and felt a lot better. Goodness only
knows what was going on last night.
We set off about 11am. Up through
Marsh Lock – only two boats in there today thank goodness. Shiplake Lock was on self-service and it was
a bit chaotic, but I managed to get one narrowboat, two large motor cruisers
and a small launch in – I felt very pleased with myself. As the water rose a chap, who was coming down
the river, was telling me that when they were going up river the lock was on
self service. A small rubber dinghy with
two men and three dogs went into the lock first. It was suggested to them that they go further
back but they said they would be fine.
As soon as the sluices opened the dinghy capsized with the rush of water
and the men and dogs fell in. I do hate these
rubber dinghies.
We pulled in at the Shiplake services to empty the toilet cassettes and
take on water. Even with the large bore
hose that is common on the Thames, it took ages to fill – thank goodness we did
fill up or we could have run out.
Sonning Lock then we pulled over after the lock and that was us for the
rest of the day.
By the time we stopped I was feeling rough again, so I went and had a
sleep and felt better for it.
The moorings above Sonning Lock border the Blue Coat School. The school, an independent day school for
boys aged 11-18 and girls aged 16-18, was established in 1646 at the height of
the English Civil War, when a wealthy London merchant, Richard Aldworth of
Stanlake Park, left the Corporation of Reading the sum of £4,000, the proceeds
of which were to be devoted to "the education and upbringing of twenty
poor male children, being the children of honest, religious poor men in the
town of Reading." From this bequest, which in 17th century terms was quite
substantial, originated the Aldworth's Hospital charity school now better known
as the Reading Blue Coat School.
Aldworth, who had been a governor of Christ's Hospital in London,
modelled the new foundation on his former school, the boys being required to
wear the Bluecoat attire of gown, yellow stockings, and buckled shoes.
Aldworth's will further stipulated that the Master of the new school should be
"an honest, Godly and learned man" who for his "paines"
would receive a stipend of £30 a year. His duties were to include the
instruction of reading, writing and ciphering and to "teach the Catechism
in the points of Christian Religion."
5.87 miles
3 locks
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