Tuesday 22nd Wednesday 23rd
August 2017
Folly Bridge to Abingdon Weir
7.25 miles, 3 locks
We set off around 08:30 today which meant that when we arrived at our first lock (Iffley) it would mean that we would be doing our first self service Thames lock. Thankfully there are full instructions which include some helpful advice for novices! The sign is right - it is easier than it might at first appear.
Iffley lock is well tended (as most Thames locks seem to be) and there is a charming lock cottage.
We shared with this smallish hire boat
and this enormous steamer with, at just after 10am, very few passengers!!
We met it again as we were using the services above Abingdon Lock - by then it was 11:30 and they were almost full.
It was a very quiet mooring
With a great view from the side hatch and only about a 10 minute walk into Abingdon. We have agreed that we were happy to be here in the peace and quiet.
Having got so far ahead of schedule we decided to stay for two nights. We wandered into town with Monty on Monday and went without him on Tuesday. We both really liked the town. It is certainly very forward thinking and quite unusual - not only are the town moorings free, but you can park your car for 2 hours free!!
It was good to wander round on Monday and get a feel for the town. On Tuesday we started our visit in the Tourist Office (for a map) and then went to the museum which is housed in the County Hall built by a protegee of Sir Christopher Wren which, apparently, has been declared 'the grandest town hall in England'. It ceased to be the town hall some years ago and now houses a museum. Most of the contents are archaeological finds from around the area including most of a dinosaur. I am afraid neither of us can remember its name - it is almost complete apart from its tail and is surprisingly large. There is also a section about two of the towns recent commercial casualties - MG cars and the Morland Brewery.
By far the best reason (for me at least) to visit is the chance to go up onto the roof and get a panoramic views of Abingdon.
I was lucky enough to have the guide all to myself (Chris does not 'do' heights) and very informative he was too. This used to be Abingdon gaol - it has recently been converted into three river side restaurants (complete with bars on the windows - it is a listed building) which are available to lease. I hope they are successful as I am sure it will be a fascinating place to visit in the future. When the guide was a young lad it used to be a leisure centre - not an ideal shaped building to get a leisure centre into, but he said it was interesting.
There are only 3 cooling towers of the original 6 at Didcot still standing. These were hated when they were constructed, but now that the last 3 and the chimney are due for demolition, apparently there are those who want one tower left as a memorial to what dominated the skyline for so many years.
This is looking down to the entry to the old Abbey
It is said that as you pass through the archway you need to hold your breath and hop
or the gargoyles will come down and get you. My guide told me that it is amazing how often from the his viewpoint on the roof he sees adults hopping!
He also pointed out a few of the many pubs in Abingdon
So why Broad Face?
I was very taken by the market square - the venue for an old tradition of 'bun throwing' at important Royal events. The last was in 2012 - the Queen's Jubilee. A local baker produces 5000 buns (a bit like a hot cross bun) that are thrown down to the
waiting crowds some of whom who have upturned umbrellas to catch the buns.
There are other buildings of interest - this is now apartments - the current police headquarters is on the edge of town.
This used to be a hospital and school - the Tourist Information Office is just to the left of this picture
There are alleyways to wander down, a new Waitrose and a great park by the river with an amazing playground.
We walked back to the boat via the park and across the weir where we were able to get a shot of Tentatrice across the other side of the river.
Monty's walks took me back to the lock where I noticed what we had missed when we locked through
We followed the Thames Path which leaves the Thames for a while and takes you to Swift Ditch which used to be the channel that the Thames took
Out the other side and at the other side of the field
we came to the Thames again
By far the best reason (for me at least) to visit is the chance to go up onto the roof and get a panoramic views of Abingdon.
I was lucky enough to have the guide all to myself (Chris does not 'do' heights) and very informative he was too. This used to be Abingdon gaol - it has recently been converted into three river side restaurants (complete with bars on the windows - it is a listed building) which are available to lease. I hope they are successful as I am sure it will be a fascinating place to visit in the future. When the guide was a young lad it used to be a leisure centre - not an ideal shaped building to get a leisure centre into, but he said it was interesting.
There are only 3 cooling towers of the original 6 at Didcot still standing. These were hated when they were constructed, but now that the last 3 and the chimney are due for demolition, apparently there are those who want one tower left as a memorial to what dominated the skyline for so many years.
This is looking down to the entry to the old Abbey
It is said that as you pass through the archway you need to hold your breath and hop
or the gargoyles will come down and get you. My guide told me that it is amazing how often from the his viewpoint on the roof he sees adults hopping!
He also pointed out a few of the many pubs in Abingdon
So why Broad Face?
I was very taken by the market square - the venue for an old tradition of 'bun throwing' at important Royal events. The last was in 2012 - the Queen's Jubilee. A local baker produces 5000 buns (a bit like a hot cross bun) that are thrown down to the
waiting crowds some of whom who have upturned umbrellas to catch the buns.
There are other buildings of interest - this is now apartments - the current police headquarters is on the edge of town.
This used to be a hospital and school - the Tourist Information Office is just to the left of this picture
There are alleyways to wander down, a new Waitrose and a great park by the river with an amazing playground.
We walked back to the boat via the park and across the weir where we were able to get a shot of Tentatrice across the other side of the river.
Monty's walks took me back to the lock where I noticed what we had missed when we locked through
We followed the Thames Path which leaves the Thames for a while and takes you to Swift Ditch which used to be the channel that the Thames took
Out the other side and at the other side of the field
we came to the Thames again
We really enjoyed our stay here and would love to come back again and would probably try to get a similar mooring - there was even a large grass area very nearby for Monty's favourite game - ball chasing.
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