To Reading via Goring - all human life is here

20 miles and 7 locks

We spent two days holed up at Wallingford waiting for the wind and rain to pass. On Wednesday it was still breezy but we set off early in sunshine and had a lovely cruise to Goring. The splendid Biggles, which had been moored in front of us at Wallingford, overtook us with ease.

They took photos of us too and we exchanged emails later.

We found the all important mooring at Goring to take Scooby for a walk and have a nose round the high street. Its a bit posh; even the waitress in the café had a cut-glass accent.

The mooring in Goring.

Goring High Street. Shame about the cars.

After leaving Goring, the views were lovely. There were more riverside hovels and lots of water birds. We saw a grebe with a tiny stripy chick riding on its back and passed an enormous llama farm.

A lovely stretch of river

My perfect riverside hovel

The grebe family

Victorian Villas on the approach to Whitchurch.

Newly shorn llamas.

We planned to stop at Mapledurham for the night but missed the mooring and ended up at the lock. Rather than turn round we decided to press on. Coming out of the lock we met this lovely Josephine.

We soon reached the outskirts of Reading and after another brief stop by Tescos to walk Scooby, we turned right for the Kennet and Avon Canal. We were a bit sad to be leaving the Thames as we have enjoyed it so much. If the stars are aligned we might venture on to Windsor on the way back....

Our last glimpse of the Thames

We reach the K&A in Reading town centre

Reading was a bit of a culture shock after the other beautiful settlements on the Thames. While we went through the flood lock after the traffic lights (yes indeed, boat traffic lights), a group of drug users were imbibing and having a huge row. Both our ears and noses were assaulted rather unpleasantly.

The narrow strip with traffic lights through the new development in Reading town centre.

Lots of riverside delights, but nowhere for a boater to stop and enjoy them!

We pushed on, leaving the town centre behind. After the slow and awkward Fobney lock we gave up for the day and moored with some other boats by Fobney Meadow. Not particularly salubrious but we were tired!