Our regular appraisal of the weather forecasts told us that the best of the weather today was going to be in the morning, so we planned to begin our downstream passage straight away. Our 9.30am departure gave just enough time for Henley Town Council to collect £7 for the mooring fee and whilst we do not begrudge them the money for keeping the moorings tidy and serviceable, it would be nice if they could provide a few more water taps for visiting yachtsmen. The cruise downstream was without incident or problem and the miles went much more quickly as we now had the flow of the Thames behind us. The odd narrow boat got in the way and we had to share locks for a change as it was now the weekend but the weather was sunny for most of the time and the breeze light so we had no problems with the bridges.

Having cruised under Henley bridge we locked through Hambleden and Hurley locks and negotiated the two low footbridges near to Hurley. By prior telephone arrangement we moored up at Harleyford marina where we intended to stay for a day or two whilst we visited friends, Jeff & Gerry.

Our allocated mooring space upstream of The Showboat - the marina's floating club house - was still occupied, so we chose to moor up against a flat maintenance barge that seemed to be little used and moved across to the allocated berth later. A nearby mooring space was inviting, but proved to be too shallow - depths always seem to be a problem on the Thames and there seems to be little or no dredging done. The moorings at Harleyford are without much amenity; there is electricity but no water and the larger boat moorings are stretched along the river bank someway from the marina office and chandlery. The shore power was very welcome however, and the first chance to get the washing machine back in action for some days.

It was going to be two or three days before we would resume our cruise and we spent this shore leave enjoying the hospitality of our friends. We managed to reach Oxford on our Thames cruise in the end, although we needed a bit of help to get there.

Cruising Statistics

Distance:6 nm

Total to date: 330 nm

Avg Speed: 6 knots

Duration: 1 hour

Wind: SW 3-4

Mooring: £18

Electricity: Free

Locks

Hambleden

Hurley

Bridges

Henley Road 14'3

Hurley lock footbridges 14'5, 13'1