3 inch rise

Another good couple of days at Beale Park although it's had some frustrating moments. Mainly my inability to photograph a Kingfisher that continually flew past the boat and into a tree behind us. The shrill call as it flies low over the water making me grab for the camera every time, only to see it disappear into the distance. Then yesterday another appeared. So now there were two to mock me with their cries! I did manage a few piccys but the only one with both pairs are very grainy. They just happened to land on a dead branch across the widest part of the river.

 Anyway yesterday being a lovely day I left Ian to his own devices and made my way back to the Park. Paid my £8 entry fee including a train ride round the park (one of those small narrow gauge types). So there's me, the only adult without a child, trying to make myself as inconspicuous as possible by sitting right at the back. Failed miserably and got some funny looks from the adults I can tell you. Thoroughly enjoyed the day though and took another load of photos which will be posted at a later date. (although there will be a few at the end of this post)

Today our plans were to get to Mapledurham lock to empty loo and then hopefully find a mooring for an Aldi shop at Caversham. The Tesco mooring at Reading was out of the question knowing that one has to be extremely lucky to find a space. All along the Thames path before Caversham bridge was a lovely long stretch of unoccupied bank but also along the whole length NO MOORING signs. Blast, blast and blast again. Just beyond the bridge and right by Riverside restaurant was a space. No idea if we were allowed to stop there but stop we did and high tailed it to Aldi.

At Caversham for an Aldi stop and behind the boat, bollards for Saltisford Cruisers only. I might add we didn't moor to those!!!

No nasty note on the boat on our return so pulled pins, dropped down through Caversham lock, sailed past the long length of occupied moorings at Tesco (told you so) and found a spot before Sonning Lock between some trees.

Tesco moorings at Reading

See that white board? Well..........

Looks like a continues moorer wants to reserve his space!!!!!!!

 It's a tad busy with cyclists and walkers but apart from two interested folk asking about life on board, we have been left alone. Countdown has started till we are off the Thames now. Only 7 days left and 17 hours cruising to do.

 And what of my blog title I hear you ask? Well it goes something like this. 'We had quite a rise' said the lock keeper at Mapledurham. 'Pardon' says I. 'Well she came up by at least 3 inches' says he. Then it suddenly twigged. It was the river levels he was talking about!!! Gullible or what!!! I should have guessed.

So photos at the park.

Thats Ian having a snooze....  or maybe it's me

Nasty sores on the side of these Meerkats faces. Found our they were wasp stings and scratching was making it worse..

Yes even a Kingfisher made an appearance!!

 

Pea hen with chicks

Yellow mongoose pups

Terrapin.

Carp