Sunday 28th June

Mile End to Enfield Lock

Saturday 27th June

Greenford to Mile End

Friday 26th June

Teddington to Greenford

The inspection launch behind us asked if they could follow us to Brentford but after speaking to the lock keeper they went one hour earlier because they were in a hurry. We joined another narrowboat that was going to Limehouse in the lock and we were out on the tidal Thames at 10am. We were fighting the incoming tide most of the way to Brentford. Turned into Brentford creek and through Thames lock which was still branded as British Waterways! At the gauging lock there was someone there to operate it for us but she didn't open the sluices in the right order and opened them too quickly. At the next lock we caught up with the inspection launch who had only stopped for a pumpout so had only goined 1/2 hour by going one hour early. We moored below Hanwell bottom lock to go to the Fox for lunch. On the way up the flight Rob arrived to join us for the day. At Bulls bridge junction we turned onto the Paddington Arm and moored for the night near the Black Horse by the canal at Greenford. We had a meal in the Black Horse then walked towards the station to try the Railway. After a pint there Rob went to catch a train home and we returned to the Black Horse.

Thursday 25th June

Walton to Teddington

In the morning we went in search of two difficult geo-caches. I managed to spot one disguised underneath a wooden bridge but we failed to find the other one under the old Walton bridge. We had lunch outside the Anglers on the riverside before we set off as we could only go as far as Teddington due to the tide times. On arrival at Teddington I booked the lock for 10am. We went to eat in the Tide End Cottage then to the GBG pub, the Mason Arms.

Wednesday 24th June

Guildford to Walton

Tuesday 23rd June

Godalming to Guildford

Set off at 930 to get to Guildford for lunch. Stopped on the same moorings as before and walked to the Stoke where we had pizzas for lunch. Even the sandwiches are folded pizzas! After lunch we moved on and moored at Dapdune wharf which was not open to the public today. This was so that we could return to the Stoke to try the other three beers.

Monday 22nd June

Guildford to Godalming

The navigation on the stretch that we were in was closed today between 11 and 12 so we went to the Stoke pub hoping to get breakfast there after 10am, however when we got there they had changed their opening time to 11 so we returned to Jacob for breakfast there. The stoppage was to do with National Forces week and the Navy were taking a flag from Dapdune wharf to Town wharf in RIBs. Set off at noon and moored in the town centre. Walked to the Keystone where we sampled their 2 beers between us and had hot dogs made with Cumberland sausage in baguettes. After lunch we set off to get to Godalming for the evening. We went all the way up to Town bridge but we couldn't wind there so we backed down to the winding hole where we turned and moored on the offside so that I could go to Sainsburys and Petsathome. Then we moved across to the towpath and walked into town to the Red Lion. They had 6 beers and between us we managed to sample most of them. The only food was Pieminister pies with mash and minted peas.

Sunday 21st June

Woking to Guildford

Set off to get to Woodham top lock for 930. When we got there JennyB was waiting for us and we shared the locks. They were going up the Wey too but only as far as the Anchor at Pyrford. We carried on to go to the Seven Stars near Ripley for lunch. The London Pride there was not nice but the sunday roasts were good.

Saturday 20th June

Brookwood Country Park to Woking

Set off at 830 to get to St Johns top lock at 9. There were 2 boats already there and none due to come up so we followed the 2 boats down the flight. Stopped briefly at the sanitary station at Bridge Barn then moved across onto the moorings for the Bridge Barn Beefeater pub. Andy left us and we walked to the Crown in Horsell for some beer. Back on the boat we ate the sandwiches and Eclairs that Andy had left behind. In the evening we had a meal outside the Beefeater and when it strarted we hurriedly finished our meal we retired to Jacob with our pints. Later after it had stopped raining we went back to the Crown where Stedmans Ale from the local Horsell brewery was now on.

Friday 19th June

Ash Vale to Brookwood Country Park

Thursday 18th June

Ash Vale

Day trip by train, Ash Vale to Alton then onto the Watercress line Alresford.

Wednesday 17th June

Odiham Castle to Ash Vale

Tuesday 16th June

Frimley Green to Odiham Castle

Monday 15th June

Brookwood Country Park to Frimley Green

There were two other boats moored next to us and they both made it to the Brookwood bottom lock before us so they went up the Brookwood and Deepcut flights together and we followed. Fortunately there was another boat coming down so we could leave the locks open behind us until we crossed. Andy J. arrived by train and caught up with us. Stopped for lunch on borad in one of the locks as we kept catching up the other two boats. On reaching the top we carried on to Frimley Green where we moored by Frimley Lodge Park. Walked to the Rose and Thistle for a meal. Andy left us here then Ian and I went to the Old Wheatsheaf and finally to the Miners Arms. From there we walked back through the park.

Friday 12th June

Brookwood Country Park

Andy left us here and later on we went home by train from Brookwood station.

Thursday 11th June

North Haw to Brookwood

Set off at 9.15 and turned into the Basingstoke Canal to get to the Woodham bottom lock at 930. We were greeted by Matt who had opened all the locks in the first flight for us. As there was another boat coming down we were able to leave all the locks open for them. After the 6 locks in the flight we carried through Woking to the sanitary station opposite the Bridge Barn pub where I emptied the loo and we got some water. The other boat was here taking a rest here, an unusual wooden boat with a single cylinder Gardner. Before we have completely filled with water we set off to get to St John's bottom lock at 130. We did not see Matt again and now we had to empty all the locks behind us. After going through locks 9 and 10 we were unable to shut the top gates so we informed the Canal centre.  Stopped briefly above the top lock to check the local shops,  there was a Coop there. Then we carried on to the water point in Brookwood park where we completed filling up with water. On the way to the pub we checked the moorings near Brookwood bottom lock but these were so bad that we decided to stay put. Andy and I had a pint in the pub. Again no dogs allowed inside and the beer was very average. We returned to Jacob where we had a barbecue then we all went back to the pub for another average pint.

Wednesday 10th June

Windsor to New Haw

Andy J.  Arrived and we set off downstream at 1110. Another quiet day and we didn't have to share any of the locks.  We only had to self operate one lock. Turned off the Thames below Shepperton lock onto the River Wey. Purchased a transit licence to get us to the Basingstoke canal tomorrow. Stopped for the night above Haw lock and went to check out the White Hart nearby pub nearby. They only allow dogs in the garden so we decided to have an early dinner there before the sunset.

Tuesday 9th June

Henley to Windsor

Today was quieter than yesterday. At WIndsor we moored on the north bank, the Eton side, for which we had to pay £8 again. Went for a meal in the nearby Watermans Arms. The beer was good but the food was average, but at least it was not expensive. Then we walked into Windsor where we had a pint in the Carpenters Arms.

Monday 8th June

Beale Park to Henley

Another busy day with lots of lock sharing. Stopped for water at Shiplake lock after being unable to get some at Mapledurham due to a change in policy to avoid congestion at the limited mooring there. Moored on the west bank below Henley bridge for which there is a charge of £8.  Went to eat in the Little Angel on the east side of the bridge then on to the GBG entry The Bird in Hand.

Sunday 7th June

Beale Park Boat and Outdoor Show

I went for a look round the show on my own in the morning.  An interesting mix of boats from canoes to steam boats. Later we went back together for another look. After the show had closed we returned to Jacob.  Having seen someone else swimming in the river nearby I was encouraged to do so and take Muffin with me. First we tried Muffin with his life jacket on and he was swimming well, then we tried him without the life jacket and he was still able to swim well. However although he seemed to want to get in to join me, he didn't. After that we had a barbecue.

Saturday 6th June

Oxford to Beale Park

Another long day to get to Beale Park in one day. Left Oxford before 9 to get to Iffley lock after 9. I was a bit annoyed when I saw the lock gates closing and only 2 narrowboats inside. I think the gates paused but briefly but we had to wait. So we had to share with a large cruise boat.  I didn't think we would both fit in but when I spoke to the lock keeper I saw the lock is wider than the gates. Stopped at Days lock to empty the loo, stopped at Sheridan Marine near Moulsford to get gas,  and finally got some water at Cleeve lock while waiting for a boat to come up. We got to Goring lock at 1745 but it was already on self operate mode.  Unfortunately the water point there is for containers only so we couldn't get any more water. Moored behind the larger island at Beale Park. As it was a sunny Saturday it was quite busy so we took 10 hours rather than 8 1/2 hours.

Friday 5th June

Oxford Osney bridge to Folly bridge

Decided to stay in Oxford another night after our long day yesterday, but to save time on a long day tomorrow and to charge the batteries a bit we moved slowly down through Osney lock and moored below Folly bridge. Went to the Turf Tavern for a 3 course meal with beer. Then we arranged to meet up with Andy again at the Crown. 

Thursday 4th June

Lechlade to Oxford

Set off about 9 hoping to get Eynsham today and do a short day tomorrow to get to Oxford. On arriving at a lock at 1450 to find it on self service we decided to take the opportunity to fill up with water and hope that a lock keeper would return at 1400, which he did. Finished filling with water at 1415 and carried on. We were making good time even doing 5mph some of the time and I realised that we could make Oxford tonight but might have to do the last two locks ourselves. I got Andy I to check on the moorings at East Street and he said that there was plenty of room so we pressed on.  Arrived at Kings lock at 1745 and the lock keeper was still there so we only had to do Godstow lock ourselves. 

Andy came to meet us once we had moored and we set off to eat in the Kite nearby where dogs are allowed in the back yard. After that we had a very cold pint in the Jolly Farmers then onto the St. Aldates Tavern where we had a very nice Dark Star Victorian Ruby Mild at 6%.

Wednesday 3rd June

Tadpole Bridge to Lechlade

Set off at 910 about half an hour later than planned. They seem to have cut back on the manned lock hours so they don't open till 9am and one of the locks was unmanned so we had to self operate.
Moored in the field below the Lechlade bridge. Walked into Lechlade and went to the pet shop, then we tried to get some beer from the Halfpenny brewery at the brewery tap but they didn't have any. Then we went to the butchers/greengrocers. Finally we were obliged to try beers from the two local breweries in the Swan Inn. Apparently the the Old Forge and Halfpenny breweries share the same brewer.

Tuesday 2nd June

Tadpole Bridge

Due to the high winds which were predicted till late in the day we stayed at Tadpole bridge. Ran out of water in the morning but managed to extend the hose reel on the pub to reach Jacob. In the evening we went for another meal in the pub, only two courses and no pudding wine.

Monday 1st June

Wolvercote Junction to Tadpole Bridge

Prepared Jacob for the river by getting out the anchor, long ropes, and remote engine stop rope. Backed up to the junction and went through Dukes cut. Turned left to get to Kings lock to buy a licence though I discovered that you can now buy them at Eynsham lock which I couldn't 15 years ago. I got a 1 month licence. Had a non stop long run upstream to Tadpole bridge to get to the Anchor Inn. The moorings were empty! At 8 we went in for our evening meal. The food was so good that we had 3 courses. Martin had a glass of wine with the meal and we both had pudding wines with dessert, but apart from that we stuck to the beers.