Time with friends and the 10p experience.

The last three days have been about spending time with friends. Wednesday evening saw our good friends Sally and Dave arrive from Derby to spend a couple of days with us. Unfortunately Thursday was a total washout weather wise, so we set off around lunchtime to have a bit of a wander around the lovely town of Abingdon. I'm sure we didn't see it at its best in the dismal weather and from under an umbrella, but we did find these very interesting alms houses at Long Alley. Built in 1446, they are still inhabited today and in fantastic condition. 

Friday was much brighter and we set off soon after 8am to make the most of the day and, after all, it's what our guests had come for. The first lock of the day at Culham was on self service and took a full 20 minutes to fill which was most annoying. 

Abingdon

Once through Culham, the trip down river was a good one. Some exceptional properties adorn the edge of the river, and we assume there's better to come the closer to London we get. The rest of the locks all the way down to Goring were manned and we started to share a few with some big white boats containing holiday makers, which kept us on our toes!!

A nice sun house

We reached Goring on Thames mid afternoon and easily found a mooring below the lock before having a look around this lovely village. We eventually found a little jewel in the crown for dinner, The Catherine Wheel. A 15C pub which was full of life. The landlords (yes there are two) were brilliant hosts, engaging and friendly and the food was really excellent value for money. A real must if you moor in Goring. Sadly, we had to say goodbye to Sally & Dave after dinner as they needed to return home. 

The Catherine Wheel

Today we have made the short trip down to Pangbourne where we had another meeting arranged. The river has been noticeably busier today with it being a weekend, with a good mixture of boats, so we were glad to be moored up just before midday. 

Towards Pangbourne 

A real English scene 

This afternoon we have welcomed more friends aboard with whom we used to share ownership a few years ago. Steve & Trish together with Peter & Sue arrived early afternoon and we sat out with drinks in the sunshine enjoying a good catch up on all things boaty. We were later joined by Maffi who moored next to us and it was good to have a nice long chat with him too. Another good pub to recommend is The Ferrybridge found just over the toll bridge in Whitchurch on Thames, where we enjoyed a good meal with Peter & Sue this evening.

 Peter, Sue, Steve and Trish

Oh yes, before I forget, the '10p experience', and a new dimension to that most common boating discussion - that of toilets. Well, if you find yourself in Abingdon, and don't want to fill your cassette or tank, there is a 'tardis' located near the road bridge which has to be experienced. What other service  can you get nowadays, or for many a day come to that, that costs 10p for up to 15 minutes. Coloured lights, instant hot water to wash your hands and toilet roll at the press of a button that comes out like a till roll. The best 10p I've spent in a long time, probably since you could get 10 fruit salad and black jacks for 10p.