Voyages of Gabriel: Froud's Bridge to Thatcham via Wales and Weybridge

Sun 14th May Froud’s Bridge

It was a lovely sunny day as we prepared to leave the boat and travel to Wales with our good friends Adline and Barry who live in Salisbury. We had to pack a variety of clothes, as we were staying in a hotel for two nights, and trudging up a mountain track on the Monday.

We set the timer for Hugo’s food, and stowed our bags in Barry’s car. Barry had worked out the route and knew how to get there, mostly avoiding motorways. It was very scenic at times. We stopped for lunch at a pub with a view, and arrived at the hotel, which dated back to Elizabethan times, and which was very pleasant, with carved oak staircases and furniture.

Maesmawr Hall Hotel

Carved oak seat

No boating today

Mon 15th May (Froud’s Bridge) Ricky’s commemoration

Breakfast at the hotel was almost anything you wanted. Except they didn’t have laver bread!!!.

We set off using the satnav to the postcode we had been given at Pant y Dwr, and then there were arrow signs to the road up Mount Pistyll, which is Forestry Commission land. Instead of having to walk up, or have a ride in a 4WD vehicle, the gate had been opened up for all the visitors, so we drove up a further mile to the assembly point, where cars were parked by an old quarry, and some chairs were laid out.

The weather was wet and foggy, so the stunning views were left to the imagination. Ricky and Martina were dog lovers, and Martina arrived on a quad bike flanked by two neighbours, with a dog on each bike. It was a remarkable sight to see them emerge from the mist. It was a very extraordinary day, celebrating the life of a memorable man.

Assembling on the mountain

Ready to start

The arrival of Martina and the dogs

Farewell eulogies

Libby and Katie

We all descended to the local village hall for a good spread of sandwiches and nibbles and then we had a further night in the hotel.

No boating today

Tue 16th May Froud’s Bridge

We had a scenic drive back to Froud’s Bridge, passing an amazing hillside covered in gorse, and having a lunch stop on the way.

Gorse

When we arrived back at the marina, Adline and Barry continued to Salisbury. When we entered the boat we noticed two things immediately. The low battery warning on our carbon monoxide alarm was going off, emitting a high pitched beep every 30 seconds. Hugo’s cat food for Tuesday morning had not been touched.

Hugo was nowhere in sight and when we took the lid off the feeder we discovered that Monday evening’s feed had been half eaten, so we knew that he was around until Monday evening.

We called and searched the area, thinking he would come back within a few minutes. By the time we went to bed there was still no sign of him.

Sunset at Froud’s Bridge

No boating today

Wed 17th May Froud’s Bridge

James got up at 3am and searched once again all round the marina. Heavy rain started and lasted all day and we wondered if Hugo had found shelter anywhere. We had another two searches later in the day when the rain eased a little.

Meanwhile we had a lot of work to do on our songs for the mission, as we were transferring many of them to computer tablets.

No boating today. No photos either

Thu 18th May Froud’s Bridge

There was no cat in the boat this morning. This was Hazel’s birthday, which wasn’t proving to be a very happy one. Hugo had now been missing for three nights. Hazel had been sent a Jackie Lawson e-card, and the image was of cats playing on top of a piano. This triggered her off, and James as well and we spent some time mourning our pussy cat, as we thought we would never see him again.

James printed off some “Lost cat” posters, took some leaflets around to local businesses and homes. We visited the Old Mill, a wedding venue behind the marina and left details there.

Flowering meadow

The Old Mill

Iris

We notified vets, local council, and of course the marina staff, who put a picture up in their window. We had planned to move out through the swing bridge so that we could make an early start in the morning. When the time came to move the boat we decided we would stay put for one more night, just in case Hugo came back. So another boat went through the bridge without us. We went and paid our marina fees.

The swing bridge

This was turning out to be a very miserable birthday for Hazel, who packed up his cat food, ready to give to someone else.

We were busy working on songs again, when there was a small noise at the stern of the boat, and Hugo came through his cat flap! It was after 10pm. He was very hungry, a bit bedraggled, and very pleased to see us, as we were to see him. We locked his flap.

Happy birthday after all. What a relief it was.

No boating today

Fri 19th May Froud’s Bridge to Thatcham

We got up early and moved the boat to the swing bridge, from where we could empty our cassettes and get ready to leave. The bridge was swung early for us – at 8.30am, and we were away.

Leaving Froud’s Bridge Marina

Back on board

We passed Kew moored up, but we could not see anyone around.

Kew

At Woolhampton, we saw a boat pulling out in front of us, and it turned out to be Tony and Pat on Paws 4 Thought, also heading for the mission. They had already lifted the lift bridge, so we went through with them. Then there was the lock, and just before the lock, a side stream where the river joins the canal. This is a notorious junction which causes problems for the unaware, sweeping boats into the side before they reach the safety of the lock. Tony went first and managed it OK. Then Hazel took Gabriel through. As the second boat, there is less lock mouth to aim at, and a danger of colliding with the first boat. This is how she got on.

Hazel’s challenge

Old Woolhampton Lock

We passed Floating Charge, who we had first seen in Brentford. No-one in sight.

Floating Charge

Travelling with Paws 4 Thought, we not only shared the locks, but also the swing bridges.

Oxlease Swing Bridge

With Paws 4 Thought

Gabriel

When we arrived at Thatcham there were already several boats in position for the mission, so we moored alongside Kairos initially. Later another boat moved away, so we took their place bankside in front of Kairos.

Assembling for the mission

Hazel went off to a hairdresser, and James went to the White Hart, where he left a poster for the gig we have there on Thursday.

In the evening, many of the team went to the Bella Vita Italian restaurant to celebrate Tim’s birthday. It was also Mary’s and of course Hazel’s recently. It was a good meal, amongst good friends.

4 locks, 4 miles, 4 swing bridges

Sat 20^th May Thatcham

On Saturday we had a lift with Andy and Sue to Weybridge, where we celebrated Hazel’s birthday with an afternoon tea party, with sandwiches, cakes and scones. We had used caterers for the occasion, and they served us well, with four catering staff. We had china crockery and tiered cake stands. There was also a wonderful birthday cake. We had a cabaret from Sue Graves, which was very special.