The old sand and gravel pits...

 On Wednesday Greg decided to take Molly for a long walk along the Thames path. He took a slight!! detour over to some old sand and gravel pits which had been filled in with pulverised ash from Didcot power station.

Because the ash is so acidic orchids flourish on it. There were many different wildflowers including some fancy vetch and Scarlet Pimpernel.

 

He even managed to get a picture of a Peewit.

 

As we set off on Thursday morning we went past an enormous house which has been turned into a retreat for relaxation and mediation (although the price of it would make me need mediation!!)

 

The Folly has got some really unusual figures on it.

                                                I love this boat house.....

Someone's got his eye on breakfast.

Time to leave the Thames at Dukes cut.

The overflow was blocked at the side of this lock and the water was pouring over the top making it very difficult to open......at least it wasn't me that got wet feet this time!!

There are loads of tiny little moor hens around at the minute.

Even the swallows were shouting to be fed....

It was 9 pm before we got moored up last night as we were talking to Malc and Binki who used to own the donkeys at Banbury and who enjoy a good chat as they used to own a boat and their house now backs onto the canal.

 

We set off about 8.30 this morning...Molly wasn't impressed with the train that went by at 3 am this morning with the very squeaky wheels...and she  then thought it was playtime. As we set off the cows were having a paddle in the canal 

This lovely cottage is by the Broadmoor Lock.

We ve moored up at Napton tonight by the field with all the Buffalo in...hopefully we ll see a few calves.

Happy days.

Wallingford

Well I finally made it to Wallingford....every time we've come down the Thames I've wanted to stop at Wallingford but its really difficult to moor here unless you get here early but this time we were in luck.

 

Wallingford is better known as the fictional town of 'Causton' featured in Midsomer Murders and Agatha Christies Miss Marple. Its a lovely town and Saturday was carnival day. We moored up by the castle and walked Molly round the castle meadows.

There were lots of stalls from the brownies and the school...they had even got the donkeys there.

When we left Wallingford on Sunday...We saw this automatic lawn mower! I've seen it all now..I'm trying to persuade Greg to buy one!

I was surprised that it was so quiet on the river as there are usually lots of big white cruisers out at the weekend.

Shillingford Bridge.

This house has been up for sale for a good couple of years. Some of the contestants on X-factor came here to be inspired one of the judges.

                                   

Look at the horns on this one...

                                      

A lovely dutch barge called Beatrice....and its for sale.

We pulled into Abingdon for supplies....

We moored up opposite to some woods where we heard the deer last year...we re going to stay here for a couple of days and hopefully see the deer this year.

Happy days.