Its a non-work day! And, as per the norm these days.. it’s raining! 🙂 But, it looks like it should stop soon.
Were down to our last 1/4 of the 13kg gas bottle, and the 6kg is already empty – and the Calor situation is not improving. Were heading back to the Thames today and going to Better Boating Co. to get some diesel, a pump out and hopefully some gas!
We buddied up with a day boat that was heading towards Reading, and together we got through the shopping stretch, at which point they turned round and pulled in – whilst we carried onto Blakes lock. There were a group of canoeists coming up through the lock, with several boats waiting to go down..
Once through – there was another batch waiting to go up..
Onto the Thames and a left turn – and pull into Better Boating Co.
They have diesel.. THEY HAVE GAS! But no pump out.. Pump out’s only on Monday’s, Wednesdays and Thursdays! It’s all self service today.. so time to put some diesel in the tank and swap the gas bottle out. There is no point in putting water in – if we can moor up at Shiplake lock, we can fill the tank there today and again tomorrow.
So we have a new 6kg gas bottle – but still need a pump out. And as the toilet is already full, we need one today! So it’s time to go downstream on the Thames to Shiplake lock, and get a pump out there.
Through Sonning Bridge, and past the usual stretch of moored boats..
A quick video of us running downstream.. at a steady 5mph 😉
Past Phillimore Island, with the house opposite on the hill..
And onto the services dock. There are 3 boats waiting for the water point.. so this may take a while.
2.5 hours later.. the tank is being filled.. were paid up to moor tonight.. the pump out is done.. and the cats are finally out investigating the lock island.. It’s a shame we cant use that power pole.. we could have run some cleaner through the washer! Ah well.
Tomorrow.. Replace any water used tonight and back to the K&A – upstream this time, so will be slower and take a while longer!.. but we have fuel now so it’s not a worry!