Another surprise visit…

On Friday we moved form Thatcham to Woolhampton, planning to stay until Sunday morning.  After leaving the phone on the boat while we walked into the village on Saturday morning, we returned to find a text from friends Richard and Chrissie Burridge (ex Ownerships nb Kinver) to say they were on their way to meet us in their newly acquired narrowboat which they have re-named Steliskir (after daughters Stephanie, Lisa and Kirsty)

 Out came the chairs, beer and nibbles and a great afternoon was had by all.  We all repaired to the Rowbarge for an evening meal.

We said goodbye on Sunday morning, Richard and Chrissie to return to their mooring at Frouds Bridge Marina, and ultimately, work on Monday.  Hard luck both!!  It was lovely to see you and your new boat, we wish you many happy hours aboard.

 Following us closely

 Saying goodbye

We continued on almost to Theale, where we found moorings for the night, beside a lovely lake, with just the towpath in between the river and the lake

 Windsong and Serenity breasted up in the undergrowth

 The view from our ‘patio’ for the night

We continued on to Reading on Monday.  We all felt a little sad to be leaving the K & A, a sort of ‘last day of holiday’ feeling.  We had achieved what we set out to do, but with more adventures ahead of us the feeling soon went away.

 We met a party of school children by Southcote Lock – better than being stuck in a classroom on such a beautiful day

 Shooting the Reading rapids on our way to the Thames

 Last lock on the K & A – 214 locks worked since the beginning of May

We turned back onto the Thames and made our way to the moorings beside Tesco for a big shop, and stayed the night.