We Set Off For The Great Metropolis

With Wendy safely on board, we set off for London. First stop is Sonning Lock where I had to purchase a river licence for the Thames. A strange tariff system meant that it was actually cheaper to buy one for 7 days rather than 5 days. This turned out to be the only real sign of encouragement to stay on the river as we were soon to discover that moorings were few and far between.



Sonning Bridge

Sonning Lock

All the locks are manned and the first few by quite jolly lock keepers. As we got closer to London they seemed to get more and more officious and a smile was rare. There were of course exceptions thank goodness.

The English River Thames is navigable from Cricklade (for small boats) or Lechlade (for larger boats) to the sea, and this part of the river falls 71 metres (234 feet). There are 45 locks on the river, each with one or more adjacent weirs. These lock and weir combinations are used for controlling the flow of water down the river, most notably when there is a risk of flooding, and provide for navigation above the tideway.

Each of the Environment Agency's locks and weirs is manned by a lock keeper, who normally lives in a house adjacent to the lock. The lock keeper's duties involve both operating the lock, and managing the river levels above the lock by adjusting the weir openings.

You will be relieved to hear that I did not take photos of every lock but there are many photos on the web if you are interested. Lots more information about the Thames and its lock and weir system of flood control is also available and makes a really good read.

Of course we met a huge variety of craft on the Thames, from the sublime to the sunken wrecks

We were overlooked by some magnificent buildings I shall try to remember as many locations as possible. 

And we spent the next few days admiring the private dwellings on the banks of the Thames and, then further downstream, floating on the Thames!

Is there a term like gongoozling that refers to people on narrowboats observing amazing houses as they cruise past them? Because that is what we became. We didn't like all of them of course because Wendy and I are very discerning girls but I shall pick out some of the best without hopefully starting to be repetitive.

Wendy did most of the tiller work on the river which meant that I was even freer to take photos. 

Lovely boathouse

Another Dream Catcher

Some of the modern houses were stunning. Really good views from this one.

Adjoining each lock was a weir. Always of gargantuan

proportions compared with those on the K&A

And there were the floating houses. These became particularly numerous as we got closer to London creating interesting communities

There were a huge variety of pleasure boats and tour boats

And overhead, planes bound for Heathrow at regular intervals

Henley on Thames

And then just beyond the town they were busy setting up for Henley Regatta

Henley Royal Regatta has always been raced over a distance of ‘about one mile and 550 yards’ from Temple Island upstream towards Henley Bridge. However, four distinct courses have been used over the regatta’s history, with smaller changes also being made incrementally. Changes to the course have all been aimed at improving the prospects for fair and safe racing.

• The Old Course (1839-1885)
• The New Course (1886-1922)
• The Experimental Course (1923)
• The Straight Course (1924 onwards)

The Stands

The Finish

The Course

And at the start of the course is Temple Island

But great fun to run the Henley Regatta Course albeit at a record slow time and in the wrong direction!


Views beyond Henley

An impressive hedge


After Henley I started to look for somewhere to moor to let Tara off for a walk but all the moorings cost £8 which was a bit excessive for her to 'spend a penny'!!

I spotted some other boats moored up on the left bank but despite approaching with caution became stuck fast in soft sand.
A passing walker kindly offered to push us off with the pole but to no avail.

Manouevering the boat with forward and reverse gears shifted us slightly but not enough to refloat her. We were finally saved by a knight in shining armour in a Dutch Barge. So many, many thanks to him. We were greatly relieved to be back afloat.

Just before Hurley Lock we managed to find a temporary mooring so took Tara off for a well-earned comfort stop. She is such a patient and accommodating dog.


The blog website is playing up so I shall have to post this and continue the story on a fresh post.

This used to be George Harrison's House
(ex Beatle). What a lovely house.