Newbury

We began by filling up with diesel at Reading Marine, the boatyard next to the Visitor Centre where we moored. As a result we had a long chat about the woes of boatyard ownership as it is about to be taken over having had to decide that it could no longer continue independently. We also stopped just after the lift bridge for Elsan disposal.

The section up to Newbury is generally very pleasant - the nearby railway does not create too much disturbance. For quite a few of the locks we were in the company of another boat which had just come down from Northamptonshire, via the Thames, which had proved quite a trial as there had been Red Boards and a stoppage to contend with.

Andrew contacted Sterling Power about the battery monitor by email and they advised that it will need to be returned to them. So, over lunch, we removed it from its mountings and disconnected the wiring. In so doing we found interesting things!

The afternoon continued as bright as the morning and we made our way up to Newbury. At Greenham Lock, Christine spotted a passer-by in a Sainsbury's uniform so obtained detailed instructions on how to find the store!

Mooring: we tried first opposite Newbury Marina but were surprised that although the bank was recent and good piling as an edge, it was very shallow so we went onto the river section and moored in the official place at the park, below the next lock. At least it is convenient for shopping and finding a Post Office in the morning.