Autumn Cruise - Day 15

The moorings at Sonning Lock are lovely, although they were slightly compromised by what some might call the 'hippy hutch' moored on the other side, which turned on a generator at about 5.30pm, and still had it on at gone 10pm.  We got so used to the noise that we were both asleep before it was turned off.

This morning, it was beautifully still as we set off at 8am, heading into Reading, and passing the entrance to the Kennet and Avon Canal.

We were soon tied up on the moorings outside Tesco in Reading, where we went for shopping.  We'd seen one black swan as we arrived, then a whole family came over.  The young aren't very black!

The approach to Caversham Lock gives a good view of The Blade, a new office building which appears to be mostly empty.

Above the lock, and all through Tilehurst, there were loads of rowers and canoeists.  At one point it looked as though we were under attack.

There was more canoe chaos at Pangbourne, where the Toll Bridge appears to be having work done.

Above the lock, the reach by Beale Park was very atmospheric, particularly as the sky had clouded over.

On the approach to Goring, there's an unusual glass summer house, jutting out over the river.

We stopped for lunch below Goring Lock, in front of a large hotel barge, Louisa, on which the trip we'd just done costs £200 per person (albeit with bucks fizz, lunch, and a cream tea).  Goring Lock was self service, and three boats went up, all crews doing a bit to help.  The next pound is the shortest on the river, and the Cleeve Lock is the shallowest, at just 2ft 3in.  Again, the three boat crews all pressed buttons to work the lock.

Wallingford has a fine bridge and a church with an attractive open spire.

The final lock of the day was Day's Lock, which is approached round a right-angle bend and under a metal bridge.

We'd hoped to moor above the lock, but it looked as though every decent space was taken.  However, Adrian spotted one skipper putting on his tiller and starting to get ready to leave, so I did a quick u-turn and we went into their space as soon as they'd left it.  It's a lovely open spot with views of the Sinodun Hills and across the flood plains.

24 miles, 7 locks.  (225 miles, 141 locks)