Challenge completed

 Well nearly but not quite. In other words we did manage to get to Dukes cut in 8 days. (Saturday 15th to Sunday 23rd) Unfortunately we couldn't get to Anglo Welsh yard at Eynsham because they were shut! So we moored half on half off  by two no mooring signs.  The stern half on a long term mooring bit and the bow half  hanging over onto the end of the lock landing. To be fair it was 5pm and the chances of another boat coming along at that time was very remote. Then Ian went ahead to see what the state of the river was like after the floods these last two months. He came back to tell me the red board was still up. Now another boater had come off the Thames only yesterday so Ian did no more then to go on the environment agency web site and discovered that indeed the water levels were decreasing and was now on yellow boards.

Monday and final day.

After a peaceful night, other then the lambs bleating in the field opposite, we awoke at our now body clock time of 6am. I happened to look out of the window and saw  a typical canal morning. The  mist was rising and the sun making its appearance over the horizon. What a magical time and one we will miss while we are sitting back at Langley.

Just about to set off

 After cleaning through Lady Theresa then having boiled eggs for breakfast instead of the usual toast, we set of of by 7.30am.

Entering dukes lock

One way to keep the windlass in place.

 The Thames was beautiful. No other boats on the move, the sun shinning making everything look green and new. Birds were everywhere and it made us realise just why we love the Thames so much.

The brown and dead foliage reminded us on how high the river levels rose.

All to soon we arrived at Eynsham lock. Suddenly we realised we had no Thames licence. We should have paid £10 even to come through one lock. Thankfully the nice lock keeper let us off seeing as how we were moving the boat from one base to the other.

Eynsham Lock approach. A very strong flow from the weir pushed us toward the bank. Plenty of power needed once again.

 By 9.30am we arrived at Anglo Welsh. Pulling alongside one of their boats we noticed it was covered in mud. Apparently this base had suffered terribly in the floods. 4 of their boats were left across the Thames when the rope holding all 4 together snapped. There was so much mud and debris racing down river that this boat, being on the outside, carried the brunt of it.

  All to soon we had unloaded and ready for our lift back. Then we were asked if we could move another of their boats down to Bath ASAP.! This time we declined as Free Spirit was due for a boat safety inspection this very afternoon and with Free Spirit due for a bottom black before leaving on our travels, time was now no longer on our side.
Total mileage 4.5, Locks 3, hours 2

Back home now after having enjoyed the challenge. We had early starts and late finishes. Had cruised longer days then were used to but it was great fun and, if asked, would do it all again (but only during the winter) So in total we did the 161 miles and 183 locks. It took us 8 and 1/2 days and hours cruised 15 minutes short of 89 hours.

Will leave you with the Thames wildlife.

I think it is a Curlew

Kite

Lapwing

Canadian Geese

Cormorant