We set out yesterday (June 6) from Maidenhead, having visited our neighbour's boat first. Their Sagacity is, to Elizabeth, one of the most beautiful broad beams ever. It is a dear wide shape with an open roof with awning over the bow and brass framed, rounded top windows right next to each other about half way along each side from the bows. The back section has portholes and the whole interior is wood finish and like us, personal rather than fitted furniture. We so enjoyed our tour! For those who understand, it is an inspection launch style and its sister gives tours through Little Venice in London.From there, we set off north and made the massive leap of 3 miles, 2 locks and 2 1/4 hours to Cookham, which Sagacity's owners recommended. Bella looks lovely, tucked beside Bell Rope Meadow. You can see that we're on a bit of an angle with the stern out, but even Josie could make the leap. The river doesn't have as straight edges as canals!!! After a lovely Sunday dinner, we watched Aviator on our new tiny DVD player, linked to the TV. Yes, there is a DVD player in our TV, but it gave up a while ago.
This morning we woke to a slightly cloudy day and walked to the Stanley Spencer Galley in Cookham - http://www.kwantes.com/SSG%20website/index.html. A wonderful painter, Spencer's work has informed quite a few theological debates! His Christ preaching at Cookham Regatta is an unfinished work but is fabulous with Jesus in his straw hat, sitting in a Lloyd Loom rattan chair in a boat and leaning meaningfully toward those who will listen. Not many it seems, as most were enjoying the boating!
We then spent a massive hour or so with no locks to move on to Marlow. We're taking a slow journey to Goring where we've booked three days on electricity while Elizabeth takes a work excursion to Wales via Manchester for another meeting. We wanted to approach Abingdon for next week, as there is a piece of work to do there and it will be great to do it arriving by Bella.
