myText = new Array("Out on to the Thames from Limehouse Lock.", "Looking downstream (to the east) from below Limehouse Lock to see London Docklands.", "The view to the west from the lock.", "Out on the tideway 'Two Jays' is being accompanied by 'River Mist'. The photo record of the next 19 miles to Teddington is stored under 'Wonders' or select 'Limehouse to Teddington' from the '2003' drop down box.", "Nearly 4 hours later we arrive at Teddington Lock.", "At the lock we need to purchase a River Thames cruising licence to allow us to proceed.", "Passing Hampton Court Palace.", "By the time we get to Sunbury Lock we have been cruising for over 7 hours. It is time to stop. The moorings here are in the weir cut. We steer to the right away from the lock....", "... and moor up on the local authority moorings.", "The following morning we steer left in to the lock.", "We are joined by a cruiser. The helmsman keeps well clear of us. Fibre glass cruisers and steel narrow boats don't mix.", "At Runneymede the A308 passes very close to the river. Behind the road is Cooper's Hill topped by the RAF Memorial.", "Runnymede is of course most famous for the signing of the Magna Carta and the Kennedy Memorial. The Magna Carta memorial can be seen here between the grass and the trees. The Kennedy Memorial is hidden in the trees.", "Runnymede is also underneath the Heathrow flight path.", "Our first glimpse of Windsor Castle, from Datchet.", "Victoria Bridge", "The Castle gets closer. This time viewed across Home Park.", "Windsor Bridge.", "The classic view of Windsor Castle.", "Moored at the Windsor Leisure Centre. The bridge is the Windsor and Eton Relief Road. From here 'Two Jays' is coming home.\nThe pictures of 'Two Jays' visit to Bray and Maidenhead can be found by selecting 'Two Jays' from the main menu or select 'Bray to Maidenhead' from the '2003' drop down box.", "After leaving Cliveden Reach Cookham is the next place. Notice the second set of top gates, not in use today!", "Marlow Bridge and church.", "Temple Island at the northern end of Henley Reach.", "Moored at Henley with the backdrop of the Reach.", "Preparations for the Regatta are well in hand.", "Henley Bridge and church.", "Sonning Bridge.", "At the eastern side of Reading is Kennet Mouth, the start of the Kennet & Avon Canal.", "Passing Mapledurham House.", "Between Whitchurch and Goring is Beale Park, the location of the 2003 Inland Waterways Association National Rally. A new access, seen here, has been cut to connect the river with Beale Park Lake.", "Goring Bridge,", "Getting water at Cleve Lock. We don't need our own hose as on the Thames one is provided at the water points.", "Not all the lockkeepers are men. The lady lockkeeper is chatting to Janice as we rise in Days Lock.", "Didcot Power Station dominates the skyline to the south of Appleford.", "The Wilts & Berks. Canal terminated at a junction on the Thames in Abingdon. This is the new site for the junction, constructed as part of the restoration work of the canal. The canal was built to provide Swindon with a connection to the Thames.", "Moored at Abingdon. The bridge can be seen in the background, under the tree on the right.", "Passing the Oxford University Rowing Club.", "Accompanied, as we got nearer to Oxford, by many boats.", "There was even one in Osney Lock.", "There are two ways to get to the Oxford Canal from the Thames in Oxford. This is the southern one. The access is under the bridge and along a Thames back water.", "The backwater ends in a pool seen here. Isis Lock and the Oxford Canal are ahead on the extreme right. To the left of this and to the right of the house, is an un-navigable backwater. The route from the Thames is straight ahead on the left. There is another backwater behind the camera, also un-navigable.", "The second way to the Oxford Canal uses Duke's Cut. This is the left fork here.", "From here is the start of the Upper Thames. The character of the river and its surroundings changes dramatically. The area is much more remote.", "There are many twists and turns. Look carefully and another boat which is heading in the same direction can be seen but it seems to be going in the opposite direction.", "The footbridges are constructed of wood. This is Hatt's Footbridge.", "The road bridges are made from stone and are narrow with only sufficient road space for singe working with traffic lights. This is Radcot Bridge. It was built in the 13th Century and is the oldest surviving bridge on the Thames.", "An artificial cut was constructed in 1787 and this is the 'new' bridge. One of the traffic lights that control the single working can be seen here.", "The Brize Norton Airbase is nearby.", "The locks, though still having lock keepers, are all operated manually. This is Shifford Lock.\nTo see how this is done go to 'Along the cut, Locks'.", "St. Johns Locks is the last and highest lock on the Thames. Lechlade church can be seen in the background.", "These days Old Father Thames surveys the scene at St. Johns Lock though once he did this at the river's source.", "It is just 4:50 am in Limehouse Basin. We are getting ready for our 5 am departure to leave on the incoming tide. An alternative view of our journey on the Tidal Thames can be seen by looking under 'Along the cut, Bridges' or 'Tidal Thames' or select 'Tidal Thames' from the '2005' drop down box.", "As we leave the lock we look down river at Canary Wharf.", "A view of the City of London from the Pool of London.", "We are somewhat dwarfed by HMS Belfast.", "Passing one of the boat race land marks, Harrods Depositary.", "This is the first powered boat that passes us not surprising given that even now it's only just after 7 am. We have just cleared Hammersmith Bridge.", "Safely in Teddington Lock. It's just after 9 am.", "The scene in Hampton. Main picture is of the Court. Inset top the church and bottom the bridge.", "A very crowded lock at Sunbury.", "Passing Runneymede. It was here in 1215 that King John signed the Magna Carta.", "Queen Victoria's former boathouse.", "Windsor Castle was founded by William the Conqueror and has been a royal residence since the reign of Henry I.", "There is quite a long queue when we get to Bray Lock including the Puppet Theatre Barge and their accommodation. It takes an hour for us to clear the lock.", "Passing the end of Ferry Lane, Bray and the Waterside Inn.", "Passing through Cliveden Reach and ahead high in the trees Cliveden House.", "Going up in Marlow Lock. We are moored at the front. The water inflow is very fierce so we have swapped positions on board so James can hold the front rope.", "Also quite fierce and with a long river frontage is Marlow Weir with the bridge in the background.", "This interesting sign is at Temple Lock,", "As it's only a few days after the end of Henley Regatta week the course is still laid out including the distance markers and the multitude of tents. some of these are being re-used to host an arts festival.", "Kennet Mouth is the junction with the Kennet & Avon Canal.", "On the tideway at Brentford with the boat that shared Thames Lock on the Grand Union Canal emerging behind us.", "Having left Brentford at 4:40 pm there was more traffic on the river. We met this boat at Richmond Footbridge.", "Joining the queue at Teddington Lock.", "We encounter a 'Dragon' race.", "Passing Hampton Court Palace where work is in hand for the Flower Show.", "At Sunbury Lock we are asked to wait for a final cruiser to arrive due to the water shortage. The lock keeper tells us that should the level fall another 2\" then the locks will only operate every half hour!", "The access to the River Wey is beside Shepperton Weir.", "A ferry run by Nauticalia operates between the Shepperton and Weybridge sides of the river. The main picture shows the ferry leaving Shepperton. Inset is 'Two Jays' moored on the Weybridge side.", "This redundant barge seen descending Shepperton Lock is being taken from Chertsey to a new life at Brentford.", "A crowded Penton Hook Lock.", "While we are queuing at Bell Wirer Lock we see this swan conflict. One has grabbed the other\'s neck.", "We are the only boat when we ascend Old Windsor Lock.", "Passing the Windsor Castle Crown Estate we notice that the 'No Landing No Mooring' signs have been upgraded.", "Have we just encountered 'three men in a boat'!", "We see the latest addition to Windsor, 'The Royal Windsor Wheel' in Alexandra Gardens.", "Bray Lock.", "Approaching Maidenhead Bridge.", "We saw this stone dated 2002 placed in the bank wall near where we moored in Maidenhead between the bridge and Boulter's Lock. The words read\nOld Father Thames goes gliding by\nAs ripples run he winks his eye\nAt Cotswold cows and Oxford dons\nNodding to Windsor's royal swans\nHe bears our nation's liquid crown\nBy lock and weir to London town\nMay all that know and love his banks\nPause hear awhile to offer thanks.\n\nIan Miles ", "A very crowded Boulter's Lock.", "Passing through Cliveden Reach.", "This boat selling ice creams is moored up in Hurley.", "Passing through Henley.", "Passing Kennet Mouth, the start of the Kennet & Avon Canal.", "Caversham Bridge, Reading.", "Moored in the trees at Pangbourne.", "We share Mapledurham Lock with this party going for a picnic in their row boat.", "Passing Beale Park which this year is again hosting the IWA National Rally. It's a bit special this year as its the 60th.", "A temporary stop at Goring.", "Leaving Goring to now head down stream.", "As we head back the rowing party we met in Mapledurham Lock have almost reached their destination at Gatehampton.", "The lock keeper at Whitchurch Lock was very interested in the reason for my photography.", "Passing the riverside entrance to Tesco's at Kings Meadow, Reading.", "Caversham Canoe Club are having their regatta as we pass by.", "Entering and tying up in the locks, this is Sonning, is much easier as the bank is at boat level.", "Passing the entrance to St. Patrick's Stream in Wargrave. It's only navigable to unpowered craft.", "Approaching Temple Island, to the north and downstream of Henley.", "At Hambledon Lock us and two other boats have a long wait at the back of the queue that has filled up all of the lock moorings,", "As we pass by the grounds of Culham Court we see this unusual boat.", "It's been hot now for many days and, as here at Hurley Lock, the keepers have umbrella sun shades for the lock controls.", "One boat from the flotilla of Swan Uppers exited Cookham Lock.", "Once more passing down Cliveden Reach ...", "... and Windsor waterfront, two of the jewels of the river.", "Having so far not paid for any of our overnight moorings and having run down our batteries with our extended stops in Maidenhead we decide to splash out and have an overnight mooring with power at Old Windsor Lock.", "Janice enjoying the morning sun as we wait to enter Penton Hook Lock.", "Exiting the lock we are waved off by this party of school girls.", "Only a few decades ago there were many grassland meadows beside the river where cattle grazed. Now only one, Dumsey Meadows, survives in Surrey. It's been designated a Sight of Special Scientific Interest for its many wild plants.", "We negotiate our way round Shepperton Marina for a fuel stop. On the way out we have to wait for the chain ferry.", "Passing Molesey Boat Club.", "Moored at Hampton Court.", "Moored at Teddington waiting for Phyl and Roy and later for the tide.", "As we leave the lock these two boats try to enter at the same time.", "At the entrance to the River Brent and Grand Union Canal. Straight ahead is the river towards central London.", "To get to the river from below Isis Lock involves navigating Sheep wash Channel, one of several backwaters. The sign shows which way.", "Here is the other end of the channel where it enters the river, below the bridge on the right.", "Waiting at God stow Lock. All the Thames locks are manned so we can put our windless away, our part in the operation will be to hold the ropes while the lock keeper does the work.", "At Kings Lock there are several steam boats coming down. One blows its whistle.", "Swinford Bridge. There are other place names in the locality ending in ford, Oxford, Duxford and Shifford. The names derives from its use to measure the depth of water when it was safe to cross the river. Swinford referring to a pig. The others are an Ox, a duck and a sheep.", "We stop at Oxford Cruisers in Eynsham for diesel but have to wait while a cruiser is lifted out.", "At Rushey Lock we arrive just as the lock keeper is departing to close the weir gates so we are left to operate the lock ourselves. These are the top gates. The paddle gear is the large wheel attached to this are two poles marked red and white showing the position of the sluices below. Here the sluices are fully open, red pole up.", "Roy and Phyl come to visit us in Radcot. They have parked their car right beside Two Jays.", "Just across the river is the Swan Hotel where we go for lunch.", "Buscot Lock is the smallest on the river, just 109\' 10\" long. We are squeezed in with a hire boat cruiser.", "Buscot waterworks is now closed. It was the site of a distillery where sugar and spirit were extracted from sugar beet. The spirit was exported to France to make brandy.", "The bridge at Lechlade.", "The end of navigation is at this winding point in Inglesham.", "The round house at Inglesham marks the start of the now derelict Thames and Severn Canal.", "The river front at Lechlade.", "A view of the lock house built in 1973 as we descend St. John's Lock. Going downstream it\'s the first and therefore the highest lock on the river.", "The pound version of St. John's Bridge was built in the 18th century. The location is at the boundary of three counties. Having come from Wiltshire the bridge spans from Gloucestershire, to the right, to Oxfordshire.", "A 2nd World War bunker or 'pill-box'. These were built in 1940-41 along the course of the upper river at ž mile intervals as the last defence for London and the midlands.", "Getting water at Radcot Lock. Inset is the tap end typically of those on the Thames which also have their own hose.", "This time at Rushey Lock I am assisting the lock keeper while Janice brings 'Two Jays' in.", "The view from our window of the evening sky reflected in the perfectly still water at Pinkhill.", "Descending Kings Lock, the last of the manual locks. In the background on the right is the entrance to Duke's Cut.", "The tree-lined approach to Oxford.", "Osney Bridge beside Oxford Station is quite low. There are moorings just below it from where we have seen several near misses including a satellite dish and a cruiser's canopy.", "Folly Bridge is another low bridge in Oxford.", "We look a bit lonely in Sandford Lock. It is one of the biggest on the river. It is 174' 0\" long and 21' 9\" wide. Its rise/fall of 8' 10\" makes it the deepest non tidal lock). The lock keeper informs us that we use ž million gallons of water.", "The picturesque river frontage at Abingdon in the morning light dominated by St. Helen's Church.", "Margaret Brown Gardens, once a wharf where the Wilts & Berks. Canal joined the river. The canal is being restored but as the route through the town has been obliterated ...", "... just over a mile to the south by Culham Cut a new junction has been dug to serve the restored canal when the new route is created around the south of the town. The junction has been named Jubilee Junction as it was the project undertaken by the IWA to celebrate its diamond jubilee.", "Leaving Culham Didcot Power Station dominates the area. It takes us 2 hours from here to the north to get to ...", "... Little Wittenham to the west.", "Passing below Benson Wirer we see that after some recent rain some of the gates have been opened up.", "It's lunch time at Goring Lock and with the lock keeper away at lunch the lock is being operated by one of the boats' crew.", "Tesco's Kings Meadow shopper's mooring in Reading.", "A black swan seen near Druid's Temple to the south of Henley.", "At the 2 hour visitor moorings in Henley. Our 50' took up the whole of the available space!", "For once we pass to the east of Temple Island and get an unrestricted view. This route is discouraged so as to avoid rowers. We do not encounter any.", "Another shopping stop. This time at Marlow.", "The sight that greeted us when we exited Temple Lock. The boat operates 'barge' holidays.", "There's the usual wait at Boulter's Lock and upon investigation we discover this time the cause is that amongst the user's there are 6 rowing boats with their coach.", "We've now got the feeling of being 'home' as we pass through Cliveden Reach and ...", "... past the Bray waterfront", "Our last night's cruising mooring is beside Eton School's Andrews Boathouse near Boveney.", "Our final journey is to leave the main river ...", "... making our way along the twisty mill stream ...", "... to reach the entrance to Windsor Racecourse Marina.", "Stopped at the service point in Windsor Racecourse Marina to take on fuel and complete the admin. before setting off.", "Making our way back around the millstream ...", "... to the river's main course.", "Going downstream Boveney is the first lock to negotiate.", "Followed by the now familiar sights of Windsor Castle ...", "... and Runneymede.", "There is quite a flow on the river illustrated here over Bell Weir.", "The National Trust Ferry crosses the river as we turn off on to the River Wey.", "Joining the river from the Wey Navigation just below Shepperton Lock.", "Works are in progress at Shepperton Weir. We shared Shepperton Lock with one of the work boats.", "We know we are back on the river when we meet these rowers in Staines ....", "... are buzzed by planes taking off from Heathrow and ...", "... share Boveney Lock with a trip boat.", "This quiet and overgrown back water just above Bray Marina once provided a navigable route through the Maidenhead Town Centre. The Maidenhead Waterways Restoration Group has been formed with the aim of restoring navigation from here to Maidenhead Town Centre by 2012 with a budget of Ł5-6 m", "More work in progress. This time above and below Bray Lock. The lock was closed all winter but as can be seen the work, on the lock landings, is still ongoing. The lock keeper tells us that this is due to high water levels during the winter.", "Through Maidenhead Bridge.", "The day after my 60th Birthday Party we are about to leave Boulter's Lock with my 60th balloon flying from the tiller arm.", "Once more cruising along Cliveden Reach with the magnificent view of Cliveden House.", "Passing The Compleat Angler in Marlow me and my balloon gets a big cheer from a 50th birthday party.", "We and several other boats have got to Hurley Lock during the lock keepers lunch hour. The only way to operate the lock is by turning a wheel. This operates both the gates and the sluices.", "Approaching Henley reach we have come to the rescue of a cruiser that has run out of fuel. We give them a tow through the bridge to their moorings in Henley.", "We are at Cleve Lock while the lock keeper is at lunch and decide to go through using the 'out of hours' control.", "Under this bridge the River Thame enters the Thames. It's a significant place on the river as above here is where the Thames is romantically known as The Isis.", "There are very few boats on the move so when we meet this tug pulling a barge and crane just beyond Appleford Railway Bridge it's quite an event.", "At Folly's Bridge we take the right hand channel as directed. However, in passing we don't see any works in the left hand channel. The lock keeper at Osney Lock tells us he thinks today is the day the bridge is being taken down.", "Passing the entry to Sheepwash Channel one of the access points to the Oxford Canal. We have decided to continue up the river and use Duke's Cut to reach the canal.", "King's Lock, our last one on the Thames and also the first manual lock going upstream, has no lock keeper in attendance as he's ill. So we have the rare opportunity of operating it ourselves.", "Entering Duke's Cut.", "The end of Duke's Cut and the entrance into the Oxford Canal.", "At the entrance to Duke's Cut is Duke's Cut Lock. It is a narrow lock with single gates at both ends. Amazingly today when we get here the guard rail from both gates is missing. Gives a whole new meaning to balance beam.", "Making our way through Duke's Cut.", "At the end we turn left to approach King's Lock.", "This time we take the western channel through Folly Bridge.", "Passing Radley College Boathouse.", "Taking on water at Abingdon.", "Clifton Lock is unmanned today. There is no user power so controls have to be operated manually. A boat has just gone down so the bottom paddles must be closed. A joint effort. As we shut the gates a boat appears going up so we open the gates again. With the boat in the lock the paddles and gates have to be operated at the other end of the lock. Again it's another joint effort. Once this boat is clear Janice can bring Two Jays in and is joined by another boat. No more pictures after this as I'm fully occupied assisting and keeping watch on Two Jays.", "Moored at Clifton Hamden.", "Passing Wallingford.", "EA work boats, from the weir, pass us while we are moored at Goring.", "Reading centre viewed from below Caversham Bridge.", "Approaching Sonning Bridge. The navigation channel is through the centre arch.", "Passing the impressive Henley water front.", "Waiting at Marlow Lock a friendly boater takes our picture. This picture is one of two that were used in an article published in BT Today. This article can be read under 'Two Jays' or select from the '2007' drop down box.", "The Scouts Boating Centre below Marlow Lock.", "The entrance to the unnavigable Jubilee River at the end of Cliveden Reach just above Boulter's Weir.", "Exiting Bray Lock, our last one for the season, we pass the new landing now completed.", "Turning off the main river to enter the Mill Stream and the Yacht Marina.", "Arrived at our mooring.", "Ready to leave. We spent our last night at the fuel pontoon as having settled up on the previous day to get an early start we didn't want to do the awkward manoeuvre back on to our official mooring.", "Going downstream our first lock is Boveney. As it's not yet 9 am the lock is unmanned. This season there's a new benefit to boaters. When a lock is unmanned a yellow circle is displayed on the approach. Once inside the lock we can see that upstream the river level is on yellow. Downstream it's all clear.", "Passing the grounds of Windsor Castle we see this group of horse riders and ...", "... notice a new mooring sign", "At the end of our first day we are approaching the visitor moorings in the Sunbury Weir cut. It has taken us 6 hours to complete 14 miles and 8 locks 4 of which for one reason or another were unattended.", "Waiting at Teddington for high tide.", "Construction work is in progress on the Launch Lock, the one usually used, so we have to pass through the enormous Barge Lock. Work that has been completed includes a landing pontoon below the Launch Lock.", "The mouth of the River Brent at Brentford, our access place to the Grand Union Canal", "After leaving Isis Lock on the Oxford Canal we are going along Sheepwash Channel to get to ...", "... the main river passing under this bridge. In the water there\'s just a hint of the severity of the flow.", "This becomes dramatically clear when we try and more at Osney Island. This picture is our second attempt and unseen are the 3 or 4 people of the stern rope. Our first attempt failed completely and we finished up tied up to some railings on the opposite bank. We only get here after consulting with the lock keeper as to what we should do. all the boats that arrived today coming down stream had similar problems. One boat got their stern rope wrapped around their propeller.", "Osney Lock has red boards displayed and navigation is closed.", "Even so on the following days quite a number of boats pass us in both directions including 3 Anglo Welsh hire boats being piloted by a staff member.", "On Friday the board has been changed to yellow and there\'s lots more boat movement.", "It\'s Saturday morning and with the board still set on yellow and the weather forecast none to promising we have set off sharing Osney Lock having safely negotiated the weir one of two anticipated hazards.", "We are following the same boat through the southern side of Folly bridge, the other anticipated hazard. Doing this was quite straight forward.", "An unanticipated hazard is the Oxford Royal Regatta taking place this week-end. There's a narrow channel left to one side of the river for navigation allowing the races to take place.", "Iffey Lock also has a yellow board but there's no board when we get to Sandford Lock.", "It's Monday and we pass through 4 locks, Culham, Clifton, Days and Benson. None are displaying a warning board though the current is still quite strong.", "At Whitchurch we meet a group that look as though they are on an adventure holiday. These came through the lock whilst ...", "... below the lock where more of the group were, one boat had got in to difficulty. We pass them with great care.", "When we got to Reading we discovered that the Festival Site was being set up including, inset, a temporary bridge. It's AN innovation for this year's festival replacing the much slower ferry service to give access to the campsite. It's the 8th Thames crossing to be built since the invention of the car.", "We met Ann and Jade with a friend from school with her mother and sister in Marlow.", "Cliveden House achieved more fame today as it was announced that a colony of rare Italian snails, Papillifera papillaris, had been discovered in a marble statue.", "We squeeze into Bray Lock.", "Almost journey's end at the entrance to the mill stream leading to Windsor Racecourse Yacht Marina.", "We have come to the marina office to settle up and had hoped to fill up with diesel before leaving. However, there is no diesel as there was a run on supplies at the week-end due to the 2p a litre price increase.", "We make our way along the mill stream to the main river.", "We head upstream passing Oakley Court Hotel, Bray Parish Church, under Maidenhead road bridge and, for once, go straight past Maidenhead promenade to enter ...", "... Butlers Lock. This is not manned. We have been joined by nb Pied Piper who are on a 2 week trip from the River Wey.", "This lock and many of the others have no lock keeper in attendance. To signify this a yellow circle is displayed. It's white when there is a lock keeper.", "To aid this there are powered boater controls of various types. The ones here are from Sonning, Hambledon and Cleve Locks.", "One side effect of this is that there is more time to look around the lock. Here can be seen the flood water marks at Benson Lock. There are several on the wall (of the lock keeper's office) and one beside the flower bed just above the step.", "We have marked our progress upstream with some of the more significant bridges, Henley, Wallingford, Clifton Hampton and Folly.", "The calm moorings above Osney Lock are a complete contrast to when we were here last August. At the end we pass beneath Osney Bridge.", "Our last two locks on the river are Godstow and ...", "... Kings. After leaving this we turn right ...", "... into Duke's Cut and the Oxford Canal.", "Having left Isis Lock on the Oxford Canal we have just entered Sheepcote Channel.", "The channel joind the river. We will be turning left.", "Approaching the rather low Osney Bridge.", "We moor in Osney Reach. An incident occurs when a motor boat floats to a stop behind us. They have got their front rope wrapped around their propellor. All's well after I loan them my hack saw.", "The first thing we need to do is wind so that we can head upstream.", "We go past the entrance to Sheepcote Channel and ...", "... Port Meadow. A vast open grassland given to Oxford by William the Conqueror.", "The lady lock-keeper at Godstow Lock sees us on our way. This is the last of the mechanised locks.", "Navigating the river you have to be aware of the meaning of the coloured bouys. Chatting to John Temple, see 'met along the cut pictures, he gave me this phrase:\nWhen going upstream: 'Is there any red port left!'.", "Passing the entrance to Dukes Cut, the other access to the Oxford Canal.", "The lpck-keeper working a top paddle at Eynsham Lock.", "Lock keepers have a lunch break which is when we got to Pinkhill Lock. When there is no lock keeper on duty a 'self service' signm see inset bottom right, is displayed. Janice birngs in Two Jays as I have walked up to the lock.", "The Thames from Oxford to Lechlade is soemwhat remote so there are fewer points of interest to look out for. This swan makes one of these.", "I also try not to include too many pictures of locks. However, I thought I'd use the lack of other points of interest to illustrate here the rise in a lock. This is Northoor Lock and the rise is 4' 1\".", "At the water point above Shifford Lock. On the Thames these have hoses attached.", "There are numerou pill boxes in the upper reaches. This one is one of the ones in the Chimney area.", "Above Rushey Lock there are many twists and turns and the river is even more remote. So this herd of cattle are a point of interest.", "Our mooring at Radcot. We couldn't get properly into the bank so for the first time for quite a few years we have the plank out. We also needed some shopping. the nearest shop, in Faringdon, isd over 2 miles away. So, again for the first time in quite a few years I am going to use my bike.", "Things we saw at Bascot Lock.\nAbive the lock the fire brigade are practcing a river rescue. The land crew are all make while, inset in the water left, is the lady crew member.\n Inset bottom right the lock keeper is cleaning the lock steps.", "Close by to Bloomer's Hole Footbridge we pass this duck family.", "At St. John's Lock, the last and highest on the river, the lock keeper is opening the top gate paddles.", "Approaching Lechlade.", "The footbridge at Inglesham above which is the end of navigation.", "The Round House at Inglesham marks the start of the river and here also was the connection to the Thames & Severn Canal.", "Passing the Lechlade waterfront.", "Old Father Thames now rests at St. John's Lock. Commissioned in 1854 for the Crystal Palace itb was moved here in 1974 from Trewsbury Head where it had marked the Head of the river.", "Displayed in the elsan at St. John's Lock.", "Help for the lock keeper aty Buscot Lock.", "Approaching Radcot Bridge going down stream there is a sharp bend to negotiate.", "It's an idyllic scene at Radcot while we wait for the lock to fill.", "At Shifford Lock I have a rare(ish) opportunity for a close up of the lovk keeper opening a bottom gate paddle. This has come about as we started the lock operation while the keeper was still at lunch. He came back and yook over leaving me on the fron rope.", "It's a bit tricky negotiating Newbridge Bridge as there are pile driving works in progress. The only available arch is the one next to the works barge.", "As we were turning round, we moored facing upstreamin accordance with best practice when cruising on a river, from our mooring in Newbridge our bow nearly demolished this nest. We think it belongs to a moorhen.", "There are a number of air fields in the area. I took this picture from our Farnmoor mooring.", "At Oxford Cruisers diesel slaes point there's a boat moored and it's quite difficult for us to breast up. This boat had only been moved here from Osney Marina in the past few days. It's bilges are full of water as this had to be done to get it under Osney Bridge.", "We also have to breast up, with nb Maisy Mog, to get water at Eynsham. However, we were helped by the very friendly crew.", "The Toll Bridge at Eynsham. A toll is still charges, see list of charges inset bottom left. Inset bottom right is a view of the toll house and booth. There are pictures of Eynsham Unlocked under 'Along the cut, Places' or select 'Eynsham Unlocked' from the '2011' drop down box.", "At Duke's Cut we bear right to continue along the river. To the left is one of the routes to the Oxford Canal.", "Godstow Bridge is skewed. It takes a bit of careful manoevering to pass through.", "Godstow Lock is the first of the mechanised locks. It's the lady lock keeper on duty.", "Once through the lock we meet lots of rowers.", "At sheepwash Channel, the other access to the Oxford Canal, we go straight on to again follow the river.", "The lock keeper raising a second (of four) gate on the weir abive Osney Lock.", "Approaching Folly Bridge. There is a channel either side of the wall.", "This is the downsream mooring pontoon at Iffey Lock. How low the water level is can be seen by comparing the position of the floating part with the fixed part.", "At Sandford Lock we are joined by mv Amelino. The lady crew throws a rope with great accuracy around a bollard. A feat we have often admired and try to replicate with varying degrees of success.", "It's a bit crowded in Culham Lock. We are at the front beside Sutton Mist a widebeam while a large cruiser, see inset bottom right, takes up most of the space behind us.", "The bridge is across the mouth of the River Thame. The Days Lock lock-keeper told us there's a lovley mooring on the left bank just round the first bend. We may try this the next time we are passing.\nFurther upstream is Dorchester. There are pictures of An Historic Amble Around Dorchester under 'Along the cut, Places' or select 'Historic Dorchester' from the '2011' drop down box.", "At Benson Lock we are again sharing the lock with a widebeam boat. It's a work-boat called Jim Douglas. However, the situation is a bit more complicated this time as there is a lip several inches wide part the way down each side of the lock, see inset bottom right. We are told to keep to the rear. This allows us enough room to swing out the stern and avoid hanging on the lip.", "Moored on the newish moorings above Wallingford Bridge. There are pictures of A walk around Wallingford's History under 'Along the cut, Places' or select 'Wallingford's History' from the '2011' drop down box.", "We have decided to stop and moor at and later visit Beale Park. It's our first time here and there's a space right by the path, see notice in grass, to the main entrance.", "Whitchurch Lock is the first one we meet that is unattended. Top: sign and public controls. Bottom: Janice taking Two jays in at the top and out at the bottom.", "The next lock, Mapledurham is also unattended. However, with 3 boats waiting to come up all the work is done for us.", "We stop at Tesco's in Reading who have riverside shopper's moorings. We had to enquire about getting our shopping back and an assistant helped get us. Here he holds one of the trollys while the other is waiting unloading on the pathway.", "We turn right at Kennet Mouth to join the Kennet & Avon Canal.", "Having joined the river from the Kennet & Avon Canal we head a short distance upstream to Tescos at Kings Meadow.", "Now going downstream we pass Kennet Mouth.", "Sonning Lock is the next lock. There is an EA notice, see inset, for boats from the canal. We bought our licence after we moored yesterday.", "We share Marsh Lock with a boat going to join the spectators at the Regatta.", "The arches of Henley Bridge are clearly marked. Even so we are cut up by a boat and have to take last minute action to avoid hitting them.", "An impression of the regatta activities.\nClockwise from top left:\nPhotocall for a boat crew; a crew at the end of the course; a trip boat passes; we are cut up again at the far end when a crew stray out from the rower's designated lane.\nInset centre: left: a scoreboard; right: race time.", "While we wait below (see inset top right) Hambleden Lock is very crowded with boats coming up.", "In the evening our mooring fee is collected by boat.", "It's 10:30am as we exit Shiplake Lock and pass the first trip boat going to Henley.", "As we pass Bisham Abbey a group are warming up on the lawn.", "Further downstream as we approach Bourne End we share the river with a group of kayaks.", "Having moored just upstream from Bourne End we were expecting a quiet afternoon but this was not to be as a bull gas veeb reported in the river.\nFrom left to right and top to bottom:\nSirens sounding Bucks. Fire Brigafe arrive; there are several vehicles; a boat is unpacked; and launched in search of the bull; some of the crew left on shore cordon off oart of the mooring; there are more arrivals; the incident over (the bull was found stuck in mud which the pump was used to spray water and release the bull, the boat returns and is stowed; the crew and equipment is hosed clean; the last vehicle leaves all this has taken 1 hour and 40 minutes.", "Cookham Bridge. The channel is the rightmost arch.", "Views of Cliveden Reach.\nMain picture looking north with Cliveden House perched above the trees.\nInset top, waterside housesd on the east bank.\nInset bottom: left: emerging from Cookham Lock looking south; right: passing the island.", "Passing through Maidenhead Bridge.", "Ferry Lane, Bray", "Just after we stopped for fuel at Bray Marina we found nb Alaska, a Penton Hook hire boat across the river. They had had an engine failure. We pulled them back on to the bank.", "The mill stream entrance to the Racecourse Marina has a new board.", "A veiw of the waterfront at Windsor.", "Just below Black Potts Railway Bridge we are heavily rocked by this 'Rescue' boat. Nothing more appears to happen than the delivery of the crew to a building site on Home Park beside Queen Victoria's Boat House.", "We are at Bell Weir Lock at 8:30am before the lock keeper is on duty. Clockwise from top left:\nI am at the controls; The trip boat moored in the weir cut is to come in first; it does 5* dining between here and Maidenhead; Once clear we can come in.\nThe whole process takes 34 minutes more or kless negating our early start.", "Walton Brige.", "We met David and Carol Irvine, friends of Alan and Marg, in Sunbury and, see inset, went out for lunch together.", "Roy and Phyl have come to see us in Sunbury and we take them on a cruise to Shepperton. Here we are under way in Sunbury Lock. Janice and Roy at the bow and Phyl at the stern.", "At the start of Desborough Cut instead of, as we always have done, going straight on we bear right along the Old River towards Shepperton Town and the Spelthorne Borough Council visitor moorings. There are more pictures of Roy and Phyl's visit under 'Visitors'.", "On the following day we went to the end of the old river and then returned to going downstream along Desborough Cut.", "Near to Molesey the Thames Valley Skiff Club regatta was taking place. As we past one race is in progress.", "Around Hampton several sailing clubs are out on the water. We have a close encounter with one boat.", "Also in Hampton in the grounds of the house where David Garrick lived is his temple to William Shakespeare.", "Moored at Teddington. High tide is at 11:50 tomorrow morning.", "It's 10:26 as we are in Teddington Lock. 5 minutes later, see inset top left, the gates are opened for us to leave on to the tidal Thames.", "This is the ferry that operates between Ham House and Marble Hill Park. It's the only one surviving on the tideway and it's the first time we have seen it in opoeration.", "About to pass under the centre arch of Kingston Bridge.", "Only a short distance after this there are three more bridges: Richmond Railway Bridge, Twickenham Road Bridge and Richmond Weir Bridge.", "Between the tress on the left is the River Brent forming the entrance access at Brentford to the Grand Union Canal") myPix = new Array("_01","_02","_03","_04","_05","_06","_07","_08","_09","_10","_11","_12","_13","_14","_15","_16","_17","_18","_19","_20","_21","_22","_23","_24","_25","_26","_27","_28","_29","_30","_32","_33","_35","_31","_36","_34","_37","_38","_39","_50","_51","_40","_41","_42","_48","_43","_44","_49","_45","_46","_47","_52","_53","_54","_55","_56","_57","_58","_59","_60","_61","_62","_63","_64","_65","_66","_67","_68","_69","_70","_71","_72","_73","_74","_75","_76","_77","_78","_79","_80","_81","_82","_83","_84","_85","_86","_87","_88","_89","_90","_91","_92","_93","_94","_95","_96","_97","_98","_99","_100","_101","_102","_103","_104","_105","_106","_107","_108","_109","_110","_111","_112","_113","_114","_115","_117","_116","_118","_119","_120","_121","_122","_123","_124","_125","_126","_127","_128","_129","_130","_131","_132","_133","_134","_135","_136","_137","_138","_139","_140","_141","_142","_143","_144","_145","_146","_147","_148","_149","_150","_151","_152","_153","_154","_155","_156","_157","_158","_159","_160","_161","_162","_163","_164","_165","_166","_167","_168","_169","_170","_171","_172","_173","_174","_175","_176","_177","_178","_179","_180","_181","_182","_183","_184","_185","_186","_187","_188","_189","_190","_191","_192","_193","_194","_195","_196","_197","_198","_199","_200","_201","_202","_203","_204","_205","_206","_207","_208","_209","_210","_211","_212","_213","_214","_215","_216","_217","_218","_219","_220","_221","_222","_223","_224","_225","_226","_227","_228","_229","_230","_231","_232","_233","_234","_235","_236","_237","_238","_239","_240","_241","_242","_243","_244","_245","_246","_247","_248","_249","_250","_251","_252","_253","_254","_255","_256","_257","_258","_259","_260","_261","_262","_263","_264","_265","_266","_267","_268","_269","_270","_271","_272","_273","_274","_275","_276","_277","_278","_279","_280","_281","_282","_283","_284","_285","_286","_287","_288","_289","_290","_291","_292","_293","_294","_295","_296","_297","_298","_299","_300","_301","_302","_303","_304","_305","_306","_307","_308","_309","_310","_311","_312","_313","_314","_315","_316","_317","_318","_319","_320","_321","_322","_323","_324","_325","_326","_327","_328","_329","_330","_331","_332","_333","_334","_335","_336","_337","_338","_339","_340","_341","_342","_343","_344","_345")