Bascote

Another train day - this time to return Jess to Reading Station. Mike had already bought the tickets so we did not have to set off too far in advance of the 10 o'clock departure. The station was very close - Christine walked with them so that she could continue into the town centre to do a little more shopping.

he train was on time and there was plenty of room so Mike and Jess were able to find a table to themselves. This allowed Jess to do more of her workbook with stickers - which kept her busy for all of the journey which was, however, only just over an hour.

They met with Joanna, accompanied by Alice, at the usual meeting place and this time there was a little more opportunity for a bit of a chat before it was time for Mike to find his return train.

Again, on time and plenty of space so it was not long before his was texting Christine to report that he was just leaving the last stop. Christine, however, suggested that we go back into the town centre, not least because there was a Julian Graves and she knew that Mike had been searching for one (for after-dinner treats) for some days without success (Holland and Barratt is not the same!)

As Christine unpacked at the boat she realised that she had forgotten a couple of items so returned to the nearby Spar shop (whose friendliness we can wholeheartedly recommend). By around 3 o'clock we were off again - it seemed slightly strange not to have a little one to look out for!

Bridge 40

Very quickly we encountered a boat that pulled out in front of us as we came through a bridge - but we had little choice but to share the locks with them. The young man in the crew seemed especially keen to avoid doing any more work than was necessary!

Fosse Middle Lock

However, just below Fosse Top Lock we pulled into the sanitary station and took sufficiently long about the process that the accompanying boat went ahead and we were caught up by Susan (a Kate Boat) which was being steered by its owner and whose crew we had talked to at the first lock (they too had had much the same experience as ourselves!)

We happily shared the locks until we reached the Long Itchington pound. We planned to user the water point below bridge 27 as we might walk into the village for the morning service. The other boat were keen to make it a little further as they wanted to patronise the Two Boats Inn!

Bridge 27