Why he decided to get the anchor out whilst moving was beyond me. He got it into his head that it had to be done that very minute, never stop a man on a mission I say, although when a lift bridge came into view that made him reconsider.
j
About 4 years ago, I remember boats being moored all along the backwater section but always the lock landing was free. Today it was impossible for our length of boat to get onto the landing. Sods Law states if you don't want a boat to come toward you, it probably would! Both sides of the cut had moored boats, maybe two boats could have passed, but it would be a 'breath in' jobbie. The boat coming toward me was already through the bridge, I was still in the lock. Long story short, it was tight! Very, very tight! We scraped each other but not quite the boats either side. I do wonder why the EA allow this, Those boats had been there a long time, judging by the amount of stuff deposited on the paths. Somebody may be able to tell me, but are these residential moorings or are these boaters just playing the system? I didn't see one boat with a Thames licence, either!
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| You can see how tight it was |
Oh, it is so nice to be back on the Thames. Both of us love this river, shame that we only have 1 week to enjoy its delights. A mooring was found by the Thames path, not far from King's lock. Walking to buy the licence, found it to be unmanned, so no licence bought today.
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| Kings Lock |
After lunch, we had the idea to walk to Godstow Priory. At King's lock, a notice had been posted about works at Godstow weir. So we can kill two birds with one stone.
About a mile to walk, and most pleasant in the sunshine. Still a tad cold, though. A green light was showing at Godstow Bridge, allowing boats to proceed, but only one of the arches could be used. A huge barge was being loaded with pipe to take across to the weir stream.
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| Downstream has the green light for boats to proceed (seen on the right of the photo) |
And on the fencing by the generator was the explanation.
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| The old weir to be replaced. |
Looking upstream, the light was on red.
It was most strange. Not a single boat has been seen travelling the Thames since we arrived at 10.30 this morning. It all became clear at Godstow lock because this was posted on the bottom gate.
That's a bit of a blow for those now coming onto the Thames to go south. (Maffi) Chatting to one of the contractors at Godstow, he thinks it may be the hydraulics on one of the gates that failed, but he had been reliably informed a team of engineers is on site to try and fix it ASAP. (the lock will open as of the 26th, according to Eynsham lockkeeper)
. Back at FS, and we sat outside for a while. Still felt chilly and oh for it to be fishing season. I would so love to have dangled a bit of sweetcorn on the end of hook and line to see what I could catch. That will have to wait until the glorious June 16th.
And wildlife
Sorry about this one but it proves how even a crow can grab a goose chick
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| Thankfully, it was dropped. |
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| Greylag geese |
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| Orange Tip |
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| Orange tip, closed wings |
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| Yellow Dung Fly |
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| Green veined white? |
2 comments:
I'll have to go and have a nose around those works at the weekend since its my neck of the woods. Impressive getting that digger there as the road access is poor at best of times, tight, narrow with tight bends and weight restrictions. Can be difficult with a car let alone a low loader.
I also thought the island had graves on it so presume they have been moved or protected.
I'm not sure about those graves, Dave, we don't really know the area at all. I do know that anything brought in to do the job has to be completely removed, and the place restored to how it was. That includes all the lining and gravel laid for the heavy plant.
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