Upstream to Lechlade

24/7/2015

AViVA moored near to Lechlade Bridge

As I am sure you will know, Lechlade is as far as AViVA can reach towards the source of the Thames. We have been there before but it had been on my mind for some time to get there again.

We passed through all of the hand operated locks on the Thames, and sometimes the lock keeper was off duty, so the skipper needed to walk back and forth opening paddles and closing gates while AViVA was warped up taking care of herself.

Tied up for the night near to Shifford

The locks negotiated were: Kings, Eynsham, Pink Hill, Northmoor, Shifford, Rushey, Radcot, Grafton, Buscot and finally St Johns.

AViVA has a lot of 'above water' construction and sits lightly on the water so on this trip the strong winds were a source of concern particulary when mooring up. When cruising solo, getting into the bank and hammering in stakes and getting attaching the the warps can be a bit panicky if there is on offshore wind. There is always a danger of AViVA getting away by herself leaving the skipper no other choice than to swim after her.

Luckily this didn't happen but I wonder if I could get a grappling hook to throw onto the grassy bank, otherwise I may need to use the anchor in future.

More photos below...