An extra day at Pangbourne

We had a change of plan overnight; we’d originally been aiming for Sonning for tonight because we thought we needed to go further on down to Shiplake to pump out, but during the week we’d been reminded that a) Shiplake pump out is closed and b) there’s a new one at Mapledurham, between here and Reading.

So we’ve stayed on this pleasant meadow mooring, doing a bit of shopping in Pangbourne and washing the roof of the boat. Odd bits of work have been done on various editions of the Newsletter as well.

The only down side is that the river has been dropping a bit, and Sanity Again kept heeling over as her stern grounded. All this was sorted thanks to the arrival of So Far, Peter and Gillian Bolt’s boat. Their arrival was heralded by another blue shirt stalwart pair, Dave and Beryl Chapman in Peddler, who told us that the Bolts were looking for an overnight mooring.

Not long after Peddler had gone on, So Far appeared and tied outside us. Whilst giving them a cup of tea and showing off Sanity Again, we realised that it would make far more sense for So Far to be inside Sanity Again. They draw less, they don’t want to leave as early as us, and they have two dogs, one quite elderly and infirm.

So we’ve done a shuffle; So Far cast off and did a circle round, whilst I motored the stern of Sanity Again out, Sheila meanwhile holding her bow in. So Far came in and slid up between us and the bank, whilst Sheila paid out the bow line until the boats were parallel.

We’re now quite cosy; Sanity Again is floating well, the Bolt’s dogs can come and go, and we’ll be able to leave in good time in the morning without disturbing anybody.