Lechlade

Lovely meal in the Trout last night, I wouldn’t ordinarily order a burger but their Lamb Burger looked nice and it was, as was the Beer, I checked that at lunch time.
It was almost 9 this morning when we woke up, best night sleep for ages and we were on on way by 10 to clear blue sky’s and warm sun.

The first lock was only a mile away and on Self service, we have seen three lock keepers today and one of them did check or visitor licence, not that he could read the date, as I had to fold it to get it in the porthole

Up at Grafton Lock a Dutch gent helped Diana open the gates and work the lock, above the lock there were three Dutch rowing skiffs waiting to come down. We bumped into the same club who come over to row the Thames some 12 years or so ago. They have some lovely skiffs.

We stopped to fill with water at the EA waterpoint, it took for ever and we didn’t need much, so glad I found the unofficial tap at Eynsham Lock.
I knew there were 24 hour visitor moorings at Buscot lock but I didn’t know they were down the weir stream until we were heading upstream so had to reverse back. its much easier on a wide river with plenty of water than a shallow canal. We had justfinished lunch when the lock keeper came back on duty and told us it was free mooring all day but a charge for overnight. As we weren’t sure we were stopping as the back end was right by the weir, I would probably been up all night weeing with the sound of running water we pushed of  to Lechlade , but not before I had photographed the National Trust/ Thames Conservators boundary marker.

There is a lot more traffic up the top of the river and again lots of canoes and SUPs, if you meet them on the bend you don’t sometimes see them until the last moment.This one was not only out in the open but had his own lookout

As we approached St Johns lock I could see the gates opening which was handy as the lock moorings are a long way back. Not only was there a cruiser coming out there was also a look keeper even if the sign did say “Self Service”. We went up through Lechlade to the Round House at Inglesham

Lock at the beginning of the Thames and Severn canal, this is being actively restored by the Cotswold Canal Trust and when completed will give a very large ring to cruise. We winded by the entrance and headed back down stream under Halfpenny Bridge to moor against the pastures, I expect someone will be round later to extract some cash from me.
If you attempted to go to the Round House and lock take great care, as its quite shallow once passed the footbridge and there is a notice telling you its impossible to wind.
After a lovely sunny, hot day there are now several black clouds up there and thunder is forecast.

Today’s Journey

 

12 miles with 5 locks in 5½ hours