From Shillingford to Home...Augusta and Dave save the day

 Nice and early today after a solid quiet nights sleep, Augusta started first try, and we were off down the river hopefully getting to Reading today. More lovely lock keepers...through Benson lock and headed to Wallingford.
I've been looking forward to seeing Wallingford, medieval bridge, and the site of a ruined castle. I have always been fascinated by Empress Maude and her war with King Stephen in the 11 hundreds...Wallingford Castle was held for Maude first built in 1071, the town was chartered in 1155 ...dead impressive to a history geek like me. Impressive it was indeed. Then just past Wallingford is the home of Jethro Tull ( mechanised farming pioneer in the late 1600's, not the band...though Thick as a Brick and Songs from the wood featured in the playlist).

Down a wide stretch of the Thames now headed for Moulsford. Under a Brunel designed skewed railway bridge and past a stunning pub called The Beetle and Wedge Boathouse. An ex manor house turned pub famous for H.G. Wells staying there while writing "Mr Polly".

Goring next...again history for me...a Neolithic Ford across the Thames that linked the Icknield Way with the Ridgeway. Oooh. Then under another Brunel bridge, past some gorgeous countryside ducking rowers again. Past Pangbourne where Kenneth Grahame wrote " The Wind in the Willows "  headed to Mapledurham...Toad Hall. Mapledurham House is still occupied by the family that bought it in 1490 then restored in 1874. Most posh. More literary connections, besides being Toad Hall, Alexander Pope wrote there and it is mentioned in Galsworthy's "Forsythe Saga". More recently Inspector Morse.

Now for the excitement of the day.
Just past toad hall, a boat broadside across the river! Master and Commander Dave to the rescue. Poor people had a dead engine and were at the mercy of the current. They had been passed already by a couple of white boats (aka entitled wankers), who declined to help and abused them for being in the way!!!
Dave and Augusta offered to tow them to the next lock where they could tie up and wait for River Rescue. He caught the bow line and pulled them into the current, then rafted them alongside. Augusta was a trooper and never missed a beat. They were so grateful for the assistance that the woman cried and hugged Dave. Hero!!!

Before we knew it....there was Reading Bridge and the mouth of the Kennet...and the turn into our marina.

Home

So quiet and peaceful. Oh the birds! Chatty neighbours and Dave's been talking to every dog and cat.

So we're popping a cork as the sun sets and feeling quite pleased with ourselves. A bit sad that our 8 days cruise, which became 23 days of travel, is over. Still there are more adventures to be had...Windsor is just down the way, the Kennet and Avon within cooee...much to see and do.

Till then
Cheers