( An illustrated account of that holiday. )
Saturday 17th August. Time - 5.25 hours. Locks 7 Miles 25
7.15 a.m. Moved off, sun rising through the mist as we slid out of our hidey hole amongst the trees and weeds.
8.00 a.m. Filled up with water at the top of Abingdon lock.
8.30 a.m. Moved on down Abingdon lock, working it ourselves, the keeper appearing as we motored off in the distance.
9.00 a.m. Moored at Town moorings to shop at Waitrose, and fix an umbrella pole up as very hot already despite the breeze.
9.45 a.m. Moved on.
12.15
p.m. Moored just before Day's lock. No moorings below, and £4.00 to
moor at the lock.. Not much space so again moored at an angle to the bank.
Family walked into Dorchester while I cooked, then we had lunch before moving
on.
3.00 p.m. Moved on. As we did the wind, quite strong now took one chair into the river, where it quickly sank, only just saved the second, decided no possibility of recovering the chair as the river is deep with a strong current and other traffic about.
Numerous boats about now, including fast cruisers and day boats, also a number of swimmers in the river to watch out for.
6.45 p.m. Moored up 2 miles below Goring at Lower Hartslock Wood. Again on an overgrown stretch mooring with the help of the gang plank.
On the hill opposite was Basildon House. Music in the distance, then at 10.00 p.m. a fine firework display.
