Cruising to Abingdon in glorious weather

 Now that we better understand the Thames, its locks, and moorings we were able to enjoy the cruising rather than getting stressed. We left our moorings near Iffley Lock early at 8:55 with the aim of reaching Abingdon before the moorings were all taken.

Reaching our first lock of the day at the  2 foot 9 inch drop Iffley lock we were pleased to fnd a lock-keeper on duty.  This allowed us to stay on the boat whilst he did all the work. 

Between Iffley Lock and  Sandford Lock

Leaving Sandford Lock

The second lock at Sandford was very different.  It is about twice the length and 3 times the width of the canal locks we have met so far on the this trip. At  8 foot 10 inches it has the deepest drop of any lock on the Thames.  It also did not have a lock-keeper so we had to work it ourselves. Following the instructions given to us yesterday by the Osney lock-keeper I was able to fill the lock and open the gates electrically. A fairly large fibreglass cruiser joined us in the lock. One of their crew operated the controls to empty the lock and open the gates as both of us were needed to hold onto Densie's ropes to stop her banging into the cruiser in the swirling waters.  

In Abingdon Lock awiting for the gates to open

Moored in Abingdon

We then had a four mile lock-free run through attractive wooded countryside to the manned Abingdon Lock. A quarter of a mile further on we were able to moor in one of the last remaining spaces in the park opposite the town, only 5-10 minutes walk away.

Tonuight we have booked into a tapas restaurant for our first meal off the boat this holiday.

Daily travel details

Distance: 6.94 miles
Locks: 3
Duration: 3 hours