Locks and Pies

I didn't sleep so well last night as there is quite a wind this morning which whipped up the river somewhat and the noise of the water lapping against the bow was quite loud. I awoke at 7 a.m. and went into the main cabin, after using the forward head, to read my devotionals and write up last night's blog and begin today's. The weather is rather overcast but at least it's dry. I made tea and had cheese on toast for breakfast. Christy and Lee were already up and I saw Christy fully dressed walking along the footpath with two back packs drinking milk as though she had walked into Henley town centre and back. I detected that "words" had been exchanged between her and Lee. We weighed anchor at around 9 a.m. and made our way to towards Reading through another series of locks including Sonning Lock and Caversham Lock. The lock at Caversham was very busy as was the river where the Kennet & Avon Canal joins the Thames. This was my first journey into Reading by river and the beautiful approach certainly beats those by road and rail. We moored just upstream of Reading Bridge on the Caversham side of the river. After locking up the boat we "route-marched" across the centre of Reading to Castle Street to partake of the pies and ale at Sweeney & Todds! Such wonderful memories and such wonderful pies too. All thought the long walk worth it. After walking off some of the lunch on our return trip to the boat, we weighed anchor and slowly motored our way under Caversham Bridge and upstream to Pangbourne where we moored the boat on the south side of the river. Sara and the children joined us at about 5 p.m. and we moved all our belongings off the boat into her car. We had a final family dinner together at The Swan at Pangbourne and said our fond farewells in the car park. Sara drove back and I was exhausted when we finally got home at around 9.30 a.m. It was lovely to have a shower and sleep in a proper sized bed again.