Blog catch-up
July 26th, 2010Sorry, I’ve been slack on the blogging front. Here’s a catch-up of some of the highlights from each day.
Day 25: Shiplake to Reading. Moored on the River Kennet’s Abbey Backwater in central Reading, near Homebase, which appeared to be a free unrestricted mooring. Went to Tesco on the Bickerton folding bike and nearly suffered a spectacular failure of the shopping bag on the bike’s handlebar – hooks, but caught it before my groceries went all over the road!
Day 26: Reading to Dorchester, picking up Nanna in Wallingford. Delayed in Wallingford due to a lock being closed for repairs. Made scones while waiting! A house near Reading had a helicopter in its garden!
Day 27: Dorchester to Oxford. Dinner with Susz, very pleasant.
Day 28: Oxford to Tackley, with Mike and his parents, in the pouring rain!
Day 29: Tackley to Heyford Common, bought diesel and pumped out (both expensive) at Heyford Wharf
Day 30: Heyford Common to Banbury, ran out of water! Left boat for a week in Banbury while rowing in the Bumps in Cambridge and attending Mike’s graduation and Robbie & Shuri’s wedding.
Day 31: Banbury to Cropredy, with Mike. Much faffing about at the water point in Banbury, and had to replace the fan belt on the boat which had mysteriously snapped while the boat was moored up.
Day 32: Cropredy to Claydon Top Lock, with Mike. Thesis comments from Mike P and Mike W incorporated.
Total so far: 356 miles, 209 locks. Thesis now 9309 words and 50 pages.