September Cruise: Day 10

Yesterday evening we went to the Riverside pub over the bridge to meet Adrian’s ex-sister-in-law Susan, who lives a few miles away.  It was great to catch up with her after quite a long time.  This morning was another sunny day at our mooring opposite Lechlade Church.

We had a cooked breakfast and then at about 9am turned to face downstream, letting the flow take the bow round.  Moored just a little way back was the fuel boat, Merchant, so we tied alongside and filled up with fuel.

Almost exactly four years ago, Merchant also supplied us with diesel in Caversham, but the boat has changed hands since then, with Jake the new owner.  It wasn’t the cheapest fuel, but we like the support the boats when we can.  Setting off again, we went down St John’s Lock and made a brief pause to use the rubbish and recycling point and the Elsan.  Then it was round some very sharp bends to Buscot Lock, where we were joined by a small cabin cruiser being hired for the day from above the lock.

We were very shortly at our planned destination for the day, Kelmscott.  We moored on the Kelmscott Manor moorings, closest to the house, which was William Morris’s country retreat.

As we arrived, it seemed very busy — it turned out to be a Heritage Open Day, so entry was free; but it also meant the place was packed with people.  Entry to the house is by timed slot, and the next available was 1.30.  We had a look round the garden, and then walked up through the village.  At the village hall, which is the William Morris Memorial Hall, the set-up for a wedding was well under way, with a very colourful table laid out.

We looked round the church, and found William Morris’s grave.

The queue for the Kelmscott Manor tea room was ridiculous, so we came back to the boat for lunch before returning for our slot round the house.  It’s a lovely place, with plenty of William Morris fabrics and wallpapers to look at.  The grounds are also lovely.

We had tea and cake from the tea room, then went back to the boat for a relaxing afternoon in the sunshine.  The Thames path is really quite busy here, with lots of Manor visitors taking the opportunity to have a look at the river, and we’ve also been talking to some people who’ve been swimming in the river, from a point just behind the boat.

4 miles, 2 locks.  (114 miles, 72 locks)