Sept 13

The Thames.

I’ve followed the river as it twists and turns, revealing different character and places around each bend. Above Oxford, low bank and very rural. The villages are set back- likely to avoid flooding, but the end result is to provide quiet isolation. A couple of nice autumn days, and the cruising was very pleasant.

At Oxford, the river is wide, shallow, and with a huge sailing club providing all sorts of entertainment as the boats tack right across in front of me. I wonder if they’ve ever really thought about collision with a 17 tonne steel vessel? Just below Oxford are the rows of boat houses for the rowing teams of the Oxford Colleges. Each with their crests (which I can’t interpret easily), there are lots of rowers!

Then the river changes again. Much broader and deeper, the banks are a little higher and there is much more of a sense of being in the valley. The scenery isn’t boring- just different. There are many more cruisers evident, as there is a bridge in Oxford that effectively keeps most of them away from the upper reaches.

I’m moored in Goring, along a meadow. Peaceful and quiet, there were SO many stars visible last night. There was little light pollution and the sky was breathtaking. I finally got a chance to resume ringing, and rang in the light 8 in Goring this morning. Nice bells and equally welcoming people. I’m up for lots more of that!

Now, on to Reading, and mooring for the major boatshow in Southampton. I’ll take the train as i think it is a little far to cycle there and back, while still trying to see some of the boats.