Sept 20

The Thames (continued)

What a week. Not too much boating travel, but a very large amount of boat stuff! Contradiction? Nope: I moved my boat about 6km total, but saw so much in terms of boat knowledge growth (and refurbishment!).

I moved to Reading, and found moorings a challenge, so on to Sonning. However, that didn’t help with re-provisioning the boat nor the trip to Southampton Boat Show, so it was back to Reading the next day, but early enough to get a mooring outside Tesco. Then, off to Southampton by train to the boat show. Ooops: major delays in trains because of a technical fault, so take a different one to Basingstoke, and change there. This one stopped in Mortimer. I almost got off. However, I was on a mission, so on to Southampton boat show.

the show was … underwhelming… yet spectacular. Lots of boats and boaty stuff, but mostly aimed at super yachts, sailing yachts, or serious traditional wooden boats and dinghies. All not my thing. There was a single (1) of the more than 350 boats on display that was a steel-hull, single engine design. Oh well, I got lots of info and promo material for the next boat I build… (NOT!) I did look carefully at these two boats, but think that they may be just a little beyond what I can manage in a difficult mooring situation.

choices? Which one for my next adventure in boating?

Then a few boat refurbishment activities in mixed weather. Moments of glorious sunshine and warm temperatures, then cold wind and rain in deluge quantities. Good for staying in a mooring!

After a misty morning, I rang in Sonning Church (nice 8, they had me start on a bell that was tied, standing… was a surprise as I tried to begin to ring, pulled and NOTHING happened. I thought I was weak, out of practice and incompetent (likely all true, but…)).

Then on to Henley, where moorings, even on stakes in a remote field, are at least 8 pounds. Yecch. I am not used to that! However, re-provisioning is essential, and they practice ringing Monday, so…