Marlow to Frouds Bridge Marina

The rain hammered down while we were moored at Marlow and it was damp and misty as we set off on Wednesday morning.  We've seen some grand properties on the banks of the Thames but Medmenham Abbey stands out; it's up for sale, 10 bedrooms for £10 million.  

Medmenham Abbey

The rain started again so we pulled up on a farmer's moorings.  Curious lambs watched us as did a red kite.  

A damp red kite watched us 

The next day we sailed through Henley-on-Thames where preparations for the famous regatta were underway.  

Sailing into Henley-on-Thames, the posts in the river mark out the rowing course for the regatta

Rowing clubs and boat houses line the banks along with various hostelries. 

This interesting building caught my eye

After Henley Lock we found a rural mooring opposite a small island which was unfortunately inhabited by raucous geese who periodically emerged onto the river squawking noisily.  We took a walk upstream and saw the Grand Design house which caused some controversy with the neighbours at Lower Shiplake.  

The modern design which wasn't popular

On Friday we set off but were pushing against strong currents after the recent heavy rain so we stopped at the next lock, Shiplake.

At Shiplake with strong currents from the weir on the other side of the mooring.

We were moored opposite a tiny island and during the day we could see a roe deer peeping out from the undergrowth.  That evening it made it's escape, swimming across to the lock island and climbing out in front of the lock.  It then swam across the width of the Thames through the fast flowing weir currents which were carrying it down-stream.  We watched anxiously until it reached the far side and climbed out on the steps up to a property.  The home-owner came running out after the deer crossed in front of his house and he checked it had made its way safely into the fields.  

The deer on the bottom step which was underwater after the heavy rain

After Shiplake Lock we had one more lock on the Thames before Reading and the entrance to the Kennet and Avon Canal.  The canal starts with the River Kennet which has strong currents through a narrow stretch of bridges and bends in Reading.  As there's only room for boats to travel in one direction there's a traffic light system in place; similar to a pedestrian crossing, you press a button and wait for a green light before proceeding.   That night we stopped on the outskirts of Reading and on Sunday we were soon sailing through open countryside.  

We came across some unusual locks, Garston Lock is a 'turf-lined' lock, one of two surviving examples of this method of lock construction on the river.  The lock chamber is partially open with vegetation growing at the sides and pilings which define the shape of the lock.  

The turf-lined lock, the water level rises to the top iron bar when the lock is filled flooding over the vegetation.  

Sheffield Lock is a scheduled ancient monument and has unusual scalloped walls which look new because the lock was repaired and renovated during this year's winter stoppages.  

Scalloped edges on Sheffield Lock's chamber

During the next couple of days we didn't travel very far.  A quiet riverbank mooring enticed us to stop on Monday and on Tuesday we pulled into Frouds Bridge Marina for diesel and decided to stop overnight.  

Our journey from Marlow to Frouds Bridge Marina