After spending the night at the secure visitor moorings opposite the Cadbury Chocolate Factory at Bournville we commenced the relatively short journey into Birmingham City Centre. We couldn't believe how beautiful and peaceful this entry into a Birmingham was. The Birmingham and Worcester Canal forms a natural green corridor through the leafy suburbs of Edgbaston … Continue reading Arrive in Birmingham City Centre in Style
This canal is enshrined in folklore for all sorts of reasons. Hundreds of live aboard boats for one. The Wiltshire countryside with its crop circles and witches. The sheer size of the Caen flight of locks and stunning city of Bath 100 locks later. None of these were a problem and we thoroughly enjoyed this … Continue reading Beautiful Kennet and Avon
The first place of interest on the Kennet and Avon is Reading and the river Kennet goes right through the middle. The Oracle is a modern shopping centre and eating venue. We had to press traffic lights (a first on the boat) before entering through a very low bridge with an awkward curve and wow … Continue reading Reading Oracle surprise
We arrived in Henley-on-Thames the day after the Royal Regatta and the start of Henley Festival week. We expected to sail straight through as most moorings are reserved but at 1.30 pm we actually found the perfect mooring at Mills Meadow Park. So here we are nestled between the the gin palaces. There is a … Continue reading Found a mooring in Henley-on-Thames in Festival Week
Our journey today was from Runnymede to Windsor. This is a lovely stretch of river and as you pass under the Albert bridge you enter Windsor great park on your left until you reach Victoria bridge. This section between the bridges is beautiful and has well manicured grounds. Victoria bridge was damaged with the weight … Continue reading Arriving at Windsor
After a few days with mixed weather, today is lovely. Along this stretch of river were some wonderful house boats. The Collins river guide say there are moorings before the next lock. We couldn’t see any. As we entered the lock I ask the lock keeper. “Oh, go to the right and they are on … Continue reading Hampton to Sunbury
We are moored next door to the Hampton Court palace and this is the view from our kitchen window. Superb moorings with the first night free and the second at only £8. What a bargain. We enjoyed a long walk around the palace gardens on Sunday afternoon and the local bars and facilities were great.
Yesterday we fulfilled a lifetime ambition. We ventured on to the tidal Thames from Limehouse Marina in the East End to Teddington to the west of London. This involved cruising on the very busy and very choppy river right through the centre of London passing the Tower, Tower Bridge, The Shard, St.Pauls, Westminster, London Eye, … Continue reading A Once in a Lifetime Experience
Having a wonderful time on the beautiful Thames. The locals are very friendly.
Sunday morning, we set off up the river lee heading to Broxbourne. The river is very rural and quite beautiful as we enter The Lee Country Park. Only 3 locks today but all are manual and incredibly hard to work. There are so many small day boats out. The Lee Valley Boat Centre being the … Continue reading The River Lee and The Crown Pub
