The Third Musketeer has returned!

Shame we missed you

I left work at St Albans at 1pm, got to T&K an hour and a half later, and finally set sail at 2:50pm

The trip was fine to Mapledurham, but a half an hour wait due to a tripped switch at the lock, and the relief Locky's inability to fix it held us up a bit, so we didn't arrive for Four hours.

The scenery along the way really was something else. Upstream from Caversham (Sounds more affluent the Reading doesn't it?) things change to a more open rolling countryside with fewer houses and more grazing creatures such as the Alpacas near Mapledurham.

We soon got the BBQ going, and a bit of team work soon saw no less than three 'Chefs' working hard on the first shift, while the ladies laid out the plates and Salads, and we all had a heart feast in some style thanks to Byrons mini marquee under the forum Burgee!
Like a Medievel feast, the Dogs snuffled around collecting any unwanted scraps, very handy!

Impressed as I was by Bray C.C. hospitality, I handed my application to Shirley for consideration, along with a sizable bung (See me on my knees grovelling in Ramages third piccy!) so unless I get blackballed, you have a new member!

The Morning after saw a very pleasant day indeed, kicked off with a hearty chat with some forumites, and we eventually left for home at 11am

Look and weep Robo's, nothing to moan about here:

Back at Mapledurham, all working this time with a far happier looking Locky, we met another Birchwood 25, and mentioned the BOA to the lovely lady concerned:

And decided to have a race to the Swan! See the sporting head start we gave her, as she was Diesel powered, while No Regrets boasts the mighty 60bhp Sea Tiger

We found a mooring too!

And 'Captain Claire even had a go at the Helm, while I relaxed down on the Bows, surely the finest place on any River?

The little Birchwood performed perfectly, and an added bonus was the extremely low fuel consumption, with around eight hours cruising hardly moving the fuel gauge on it's modest 24 gallon tank!

We need a cockpit fan however, as the infamous 'Imaginary Flybridge' became more of a reality by the time it was 76 degrees in the shade...the roof is NOT comfy, but it's so cool up there!

Both Claire and I would like to take a final opportunity to thank Byron for his hospitality (It was a pleasure meeting and chatting with Eileen and Byron too; What a hoot!) The BCC for their usual fine welcome, and a great Barbeque team, and to the Thames forum for making it all happen.

Thanks, and see you next time.