We’ve been enjoying what my daughter-in-law Carrie calls a “family top-up”. First, daughter Wendy came to visit us from France (see Sonning Bridge, 15 July); then my sister Dale and her husband Colin popped down (up?) from Kent last week.
Bearing multiple bottles of chilled Pol Roget champagne, they arrived at the Thames & Kennet Marina just as rainy morning was giving way to a warm and balmy afternoon – perfect for a short boat-trip upstream, passing through Caversham Lock and Reading town, then turning neatly before the next lock at Mapledurham to cruise beatifically back.
After drinks and snacks on board, and another one or two at our marina’s Boater’s Bar, we called Reading Eagle Cars* to take us to the Bird in Hand at Sonning Common (see my 13 July blog review) and back again.
They had to leave before we were up, so we don’t yet know how comfortable Dale and Colin found our John Lewis sofa-bed. These things tend to be neither perfect for sitting on nor perfect for sleeping on. Either way, it is what it is… and we hope they can make it to the marina again sometime.
* This time, the Eagle taxi service was spot-on. But don’t expect anything if there’s a big game on; the guys will be glued to their TVs.
Thanks for a lovely day out Verne. We slept very well, whether that was down to the comfy bed or the pasta and alcohol I really can’t be sure xx