A weekend in Lechlade

On Saturday we set off from Tadpole Bridge, our aim being to get as far up the Thames as we could. Once again, some pretty locks passed through on our way up stream. 

 

Radcot Lock



Most of them were staffed by the lock keepers but some were in self service mode.

Old Father Thames



Holding the boat steady

 

Through the last lock before arriving at Lechlade.

Lechlade Bridge - Halfpenny Bridge

Nearly as far as we can go

 Before I got stuck up the creak without a paddle I turned the boat and we moored up just below Halfpenny Bridge.

The halfpenny tollhouse

In the good old days travellers had to pay a ha'penny to cross the bridge and the tollhouse is still there at the end of the bridge. Now there are traffic lights instead of toll booths - unlike the Dartford crossing.

Our boat is about six down from this end

 On Saturday we had a walk round Lechlade, stocked up on provisions at a wonderful butcher cum greengrocers and then walked up the Thames to see how far we could have got by boat. It wasn't much further than we had already ventured but the walk was well worth it.

Moored opposite the church

Sunday morning we went to church and were greeted like long lost friends. Even the vicar introduced himself before the service and a lovely lady, Godmother to the organist, invited us to sit with her. Tea and coffee afterwards with at least six people coming up to ask us if we in the area for long. Wow, usually I have to go up to someone to start a conversation, not the other way round.

On the way back to the boat we passed a lovely Fish & Chips shop and succumbed to an impromptu lunch on the bankside.

Don't we both look happy!

Not often do you see us in chairs in the sunshine

Have decided to stay a second night here and, who knows, we may revisit the butchers tomorrow to buy another homemade steak and kidney pie. The one we had on Saturday evening was excellent.