It's been a while since we went anywhere on Life's too Short, we've spent time on board at the marina but we haven't been anywhere. As per usual we made a plan, this time for a 'Friday to Sunday' return trip to Marlow but Lady Luck wasn't in on the plan so we were limited to a day trip instead as we needed to be at home to look after an injured cat.
On arrival at the marina we were pleased to at last be given the 'missing' centre cushion for our cockpit. On delivery it was the wrong size so went back to be adjusted - and then went missing for a while. A new one has been made and a quick trial fit (without the board underneath or the backrest in place) seemed to be OK but thinner than all the others, I can't be bothered to ask for yet another!
After our leisurely arrival we got ready and set off after midday with a revised plan of getting to Henley for a picnic. We made a good start and were soon through Sonning Lock.
A good start and a quiet river doesn't always mean you will reach your intended destination on time! As we approached Shiplake Lock we could see a queue that stretched back beyond the end of the lay-by with boats holding off. I presume the lockie was on lunch and the progress on 'self help' was very slow. We looked at mooring on the island for a while but the boats already there seemed to have managed to space themselves out leaving ¾ boat lengths between each other making it impossible for us to join them. So we turned around and headed back up river.
We were soon at the 2 large islands 'The Lynch' and 'Hallsmead Ait' so we decided to take a look around them to see if we could find space to moor, according to the Thame Guide these 2 very overgrown looking islands are free to moor at.
As luck would have it (for a change) there was a lovely mooring available so we were soon tied up (where the marker is in the picture above) and enjoying a picnic!
We had a 'friendly' goose keeping look out and for good measure he was later joined by a few ducks!
Just along from where we moored there was another good mooring but a large branch had fallen from the tree last night rendering the space unusable. Luckily it didn't fall on the family who were camping here when it gave way!
The island is a great example of what happens when you let nature manage the space, there clearly is nobody managing the upkeep of the place although there is evidence of many visitors. The island is very overgrown and there are lots of self-seeded saplings vying for space with the older trees. There are also many fallen trees. I couldn't find a way to get right the way around but I took a few photos on my adventure.
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| The path to . . . . where? |
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| Remains of the root-ball of a large fallen tree |
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| Not much path here! |
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| Made it to the other side |
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| The family camping had moved to a new pitch, near the rope swing |
