To Sonning

Overnight, Mike had discovered that he had packed insufficient of one type of medication. So, first thing he walked into Marlow to find a chemist - and also to pick up milk and a paper.

Although more seasonably chillier than the past week, it was still sunny as we set off into the lock, continuing our journey back up the Thames. Before long, alas, cloud arrived and a stiff breeze. One lock keeper informed Christine that rain was forecast for the afternoon!

We called at the first boatyard, HarleyWood, just above Temple Lock. They were most helpful and it did indeed turn out that the electrics problem was the same as last year and was fixed by the application of some insulating tape to avoid the shorting out of the control panel!

The now stronger wind made navigating in and out of locks quite trick and above one lock we were almost blow around to face the wrong direction - saved only by the piers protecting the weir stream! (Not quite as serious as it might sound!)

We moored up just below Henley for a late lunch but did not stay too long as we were aining to get as close to Reading as possible. Before long the rain duly arrived, mostly light drizzle but, for about a quarter of an hour, was rather heavy. Undeterred we carried on: Mike steering and Christine doing her CAB studies!



Lat afternoon, the rain cleared and the last hour or so of cruising as again sunny and pleasant, if still cool. Although we made as good progress as we could expect, by six o'clock were were below Sonning, near enough to Reading to moor up for the night.