Basingstoke Bottom is too near the top!

We where off ,full of enthusiasm for a new adventure. Oh dear how we struggled, how we bow hauled, pulled ,pushed , in the end towed by the powerful Phoenix with Matt and Linda at the helm.
This canal is so shallow , we are crawing along at one mile per hour.
However it is so quiet and peaceful ,much more like going through a garden pond with wild flowers ,wildlife a plenty .
We are only the third boat up here this year!?
The big question is should we continue and do the lot about 20 miles or go back while there's some water beneath us?????

Filming at Hawe lock on the Wey.

Here we are on the Wey! To the Basingstoke:-D
We got into Hawe lock and found ourselves surrounded by a whole film crew making a drama for ITV, they had a break for lunch while we came up in the lock , we had.a chat with the director and the main actor but we didn't have a clue who they were!

Hot Day at Shepperton.

Beautiful day moored above the lock here.
Working ? Jane spent most of the day chatting to people and enjoying the sun.
Parakeets flying overhead , impossible to get a picture though, rather exotic looking and very noisey.
On to the river Wey tomorrow and then the Basingstoke on Saturday, that will be new waters for us , very excited!

Birthday Parcel Arrived

Moored opposite Windsor race course, next to the rowing lake that Frances cycled to from Sonning last week , it took her ,50 mins ,and it's taken us a week !
We cycled into Eton to pick our post up, the Etonians were dashing up and down the street ,looked like a scene from Harry Potter. I would have liked to get a photo but thought we might get into trouble with security.
My present from Kate was perfect lots of lovely materials and a book to keep me very busy.
Moored at Cliveden last night, had a beautiful walk around the woodland , we were the only ones there , it was magical ,so quiet and all you could hear was the birds. The Bluebells were just beginning to open .
The Queen is in at the castle , flags out , so we gave a cheery wave.

Cuckoo's chorus

Cuckoo sings at Marlow.
All weather's over the last couple of days from scorching sunshine resulting in sunburn, to squally hail and thunder!
Crochet went well , have to get busy.
Brian cycled to High Wickham for his fix of the park run and was very  pleased to come 19 th out if 79.

Our favourite mooring on the Thames.

Early morning and it seemed we had the river to ourselves, as the day got warmer out came the elegant river launches, jaguars of the water.
We got our perfect spot at Wargrave, but all hands were on deck as Jane scrubbed the roof Brian made a jig to bend his candlesticks on, no rest today, want to be shipshape and Bristol fashion for our stay in Henley tomorrow.
Our old friend the old ash tree is creaking ,which is rather disconcerting as we are moored beneath it! We have loved this tree over the years, it has been entertainment for the children and it's fallen boughs have given us many bonfires. We planted another sapling in its honor.

Bon Voyage to the Kennet and Avon canal

Brian did an excellent job at the tiller, taking the Emily Bronte safely under the notorious high bridge, which is very low and narrow ?! With the strong flow of the river Kennet ,it was more of a sweeping out onto the Thames.
We were greeted by the sign 'stream increasing' posted at the first Thames lock, but this seemed a good birthday type day to break free of the canal, any excuse to crack the bubbly.
Frances is in love ! With her new bike , an early birthday present . Brian didn't need much persuasion to join her for a ride , Jane did though, so was quite happy to stay onboard relaxing in the sunshine at Sonning.