Voyages of Gabriel: Henley to Reading

Sun 1^st August Henley to Sonning

We started by paying our £10 for the mooring to two guys who were driving along the line of boats on a park’s vehicle, also collecting rubbish bags. Some boats had already left when they arrived. We departed for Marsh Lock just after they had been.

Rubbish collection and mooring fees vehicle.

Receipt

Approaching Marsh Lock

We shared Marsh Lock with another narrowboat, which we overtook before the next lock at Shiplake, where we had to wait for the lock, as it was full.

We saw an interesting boat by Shiplake Lock. It was called Sonbar, and research revealed that she was built by Stebbings boat builders on Burnham-on-Crouch in 1947. On the Stebbings archive website, someone was asking the whereabouts of this boat, so James commented that he had a photo. They have now used this photo on the website. Motor cruisers | Stebbings Archive (wordpress.com)

Sonbar

Another boat we spotted was Rubette, and again James did some research online. He discovered that it belongs to a company based in Benson who hire out classic boats like this. They themselves are not sure who built it or when, but say it was “probably built by the admiralty and used as a harbour launch, hung in the davits of a naval ship”. Rubette has only recently been restored and had her first customers in June. If you fancy hiring her, here is the link: Our Boats :: Bygone Boating

Rubette

We looked for moorings on the islands known as The Lynch or Hallsmead Ait but there were lots of boats moored on the towpath side. The island moorings were all overgrown or had trees in the way. In trying to get into one place, we picked up an item of clothing on the prop.

Sonning Bridge

We continued through Sonning Lock, where we saw lots of hollyhocks growing, but rather battered by the recent heavy rain. We stopped on the public moorings above the lock.

Hollyhocks at Sonning Lock

Moored above Sonning Lock

3 locks, 5 miles. Dep 0925, arr 1140.

Mon 2^nd August Sonning to Reading

After a peaceful night we headed up stream once more, past the entrance to the Kennet and Avon. We spotted two interesting boats here. The first was floating shed. A work in progress, probably. The second was a vessel built by W.White in 1899, called Chrysoprase.

Kennet and Avon entrance

Floating shed

Chrysoprase

There were no spaces on the Tesco moorings that were large enough for us, so James set Hazel down from the stern to go shopping. He carried on up to Better Boating, where he topped up with diesel at 89p per litre. By the time he had done that, and turned the boat again, Hazel had finished the shopping and was waiting at the same spot.

Tesco moorings full

Better Boating

We turned once more and followed two boats to Caversham Lock. We couldn’t fit in with them, so we waited for a second lock. The lock keeper here is Tanya, who has been working here since 1996 – a year longer than we have been boating.

Lock queue for Caversham Lock. The Blade in the background

After Caversham Lock, we cruised under Reading Bridge, followed by the new footbridge called Christchurch Bridge. We saw another interesting boat, called Kings Shilling, and discovered it was a Broome, built in 1947.

Reading Bridge

Kings Shilling

Christchurch Bridge

We saw John and Barbara’s boat Ichthus, with a space in front as planned, just before Caversham Bridge. We tied the bows to the railings and the stern to a mooring spike as instructed by John.

Moored by Caversham Bridge in front of Ichthus

We visited Aldi, and got most of the rest of the shopping, except for sausages and bacon, because there was a problem with their refrigerator.

James went to explore Caversham across the bridge, and discovered a Waitrose, so he bought the sausages and bacon we needed.

When John and Barbara came back from their working day with Salters Steamers, we arranged to go to the Persian restaurant in Caversham. It was very good, but the portions were much bigger than expected. Next time we’ll have a main dish to share between two plus some side dishes. Lovely restaurant, great view, excellent company.

Persian Palace

Coffees and brandy back on Gabriel.

1 lock, 3 miles. Dep 0950, arr 1135

Tue 3^rd August Reading

It was misty this morning

We had arranged to meet at 10am by John’s car, for a trip to Basildon Park, as they had never been, and we have tickets that allow guests. As Hazel was getting through the fence into the car park, she overbalanced and fell, grazing her knee, and bruising her left wrist. John is medically trained, and soon had her disinfected and patched up.

We drove to Basildon Park, and had a wander round the gardens and the house (1^st floor only), and a drink in the café. There were lots of butterflies. A lady who was cleaning two huge stone dogs in the garden kindly took our photo.

With John and Barbara

Basildon Park

Red Admiral

Peacock

Large White

Brimstone

Gatekeeper

Back at the boats, John produced a hose, and we filled the water tanks of both boats. Much quicker than the silly low-pressure Environment Agency water points.

John very kindly lent us his car, and we went to visit BCF and Canal Ministries friends Mike and Jean Greenslade. Mike has been very ill with heart problems combined with a possible early case of Covid. He was bed-bound for many weeks, but is now able to walk a little. It was good to see them after more than two years.