The Hodma'dod: Goodbye K & A - Hello Swallows and Amazons

So after 2 months and 5 days we eventually left the K and A and got back on to the Thames. Its been interesting and a trip we are glad we did. On the positive side we have met some super people, found some great pubs, thoroughly enjoyed exploring the variety of towns (with Bradford on Avon probably topping our favourites list) and loved the countryside especially towards the western end. Experiencing the Floating harbour at Bristol was also a highlight and something we are pleased to have accomplished.

On the downside it’s been hardwork with the double locks and multiple swing bridges and (dare I mention for the last time) the lack of mooring.

Are we glad we did it? An emphatic yes, will we do it again? Highly unlikely; which seems to be the reaction of all the other boaters we have met.

So onwards on the Thames - chalk and cheese. The last but one lock we did on the K and A in Reading we had to step over a comatose druggie on the lock side. Within a couple of hours and only a few miles distant we were moored up at Sonning a village with a variety of Ferraris and Porsches outside the houses.

The following day saw us just drop down to Henley and we went into town in the afternoon for some shopping. A very pleasant town, not too touristy but we were glad that we avoided the Regatta week as it was crowded enough as it was.

This morning the plan was to sail on for a few hours enjoying the sunshine and find a mooring where we could stay tomorrow avoiding the forecast rain. Unfortunately that didn’t work. Given that we are now in the height of summer, it was a gorgeous sunny day and it was a Saturday, spaces proved to be at a premium. We tried a couple of places but couldn’t get in due to the water level being low and at the last of those attempts it was like having to take my advanced boat handling test. The space I judged was likely to be tight bounded by a £50,000 glass fibre job at either end, it was at the edge of a sailing regatta course which had an Optimist race in full swing and the wind had got up. Oh, and there were loads of people sitting on the bank enjoying the spectacle - not sure whether me or the regatta - Anyway having turned the boat round so that I at least had a bit of control by heading upstream we attempted to get in but found the space was about 2ft short. So we made our excuses and left. Actually without touching anything.

Anyway onward, through Cookham lock and then a quick circuit of Bavins Gulls islands and we eventually spotted an unoccupied space which we managed to get into (see below). It really does feel that we should be playing Swallows and Amazons although Tansy is refusing to walk the plank and has to be carried. Her sister is fine about it but probably doesn’t realise the risk! I think we are on the smallest of the islets, probably about 20 metres by 3 metres so walking the dogs should not take too long.

We are near Cliveden (famous for, amongst other things, being the home of the Astors and the centre of the Christine Keeler/Profumo affair and want to explore the woods and grounds so hopefully tomorrow we will be able to find a spot on the opposite bank and spend a day or two moored there.