Sunday, 10 December 2017

Waiting.....................................


More evidence that the Sun shines on the righteous,
 it never rains in England in June,
Beer is God's way of saying he loves us,
and
Everything comes to those who wait. 


Notice to Mariners
 from
 The Thames Conservancy. 



Locking Down

Waiting for the gates to open. 



Shifford the most isolated and pretty lock on the river.  


Shifford,  morning light. 


Waiting for her Master and Commander


Not abandoned, just waiting for some TLC. 


Washing Day at Eynsham.


Waiting..................................


Chris Adney shows some style in Pollyanna.




Waiting for Opening Time, 
early doors in Oxford 



Worth waiting for 
Voyageurs and families meet up at The Punt.  





The fore-mentioned Red Floaty Things. 



Chris Partridge keeps left....................................


........................................of the Weir 


Abingdon, 
where due to some confusing meanders the sun seems to rise in the west.
 Gets me every time. 


A band of water gypsies.




 ...................sometimes he just sits. 

Saturday, 2 December 2017

Five Bridges Suite. Nice.


Some reminiscences from the 2017 HBBR Thames Raid . 




Pooh Sticks at Bloomers Hole Footbridge.




Approaching Grafton Lock 
 In the foreground Mark proves you can camp-cruise on a Hobie Kayak. 


John & Josephine in their new self designed and built row cruiser proving
you can camp cruise with two in style. Ever get the feeling you're being watched? 



Adrian & Pete in Bram, an Iain Oughtred Beaver canoe. 
Roger & Paul play at being lock-keepers.



Roger arrives at "The Swan" by Radcot Bridge.
Reputed to be the oldest on the river.
The Bridge not Roger. 




Katie Beardie at rest by Radcot Bridge. 
Looks like its in a state of constant repair. (The Bridge). 



Will she Won't She?
  Buttock clenching moments under Ten Foot Bridge, with a nine and a half foot pole




 The Elegant arch of Tadpole Bridge conveniently situated right by yet another pub called
 "The Trout." 



We stopped for a pint and a look at the man's engine. 





The Splendour of Clifton Hampden Bridge designed by Sir Gilbert Scott,
More famous for designing St Pancras Station in London  

The Barley Mow pub, made famous by Jerome K Jerome (so good they named him twice) is just over the bridge. 





You have been warned! 
what the hell's a Skew Bridge?



Ah, so two-way traffic, on a bend, through the low arch of Godstow Bridge
 which was conveniently built at an angle across the river. Those Monks, always having a laugh. Hope there's nothing coming.  




A bridge too far?