With showers forecast early and persistent rain for later today we planned to set off early for our cruise from Harleyford via Marlow to Bray Marina. The initial blue skies soon clouded over and there were sharp showers to avoid as we used the Harleyford pump out facilities. For this we paid £10 for a self service card from the marina office but were impressed with the suction capabilities of the equipment. We had to overcome the Harleyford marina water policy which is inconvenient to visitors for they had again put a small electric dayboat against the only water landing stage and there was no separate water supply at the pump out station.

We stopped off at Marlow for fresh supplies and post office transactions, until the skies cleared to that we could cruise on. We cruised downstream trying to dodge the violent storms and deluges of first rain and then hail, which always seemed to fall when we were in a lock. Now we that we are well into May most of the locks have taken on assistant lock keepers who cover the lunch time shift. This allows us to cruise on through the middle of the day, which suits us better than the enforced 1 till 2 lunch breaks. Although we tried to show our appreciation by tipping them, they are briefed not to accept gratuities and insisted they would give the money to the RNLI!

We rigged the canopy to allow us to cruise on in the rain with the mast down and eventually moored up at Bray Marina who gave us a river front berth for £15/night that included electricity and water.

Cruising Statistics

Distance:11 nm

Total to date: 341 nm

Avg Speed: 5 knots

Duration: 4 hours

Wind: NW 5

Mooring: £15

Electricity: Free

Diesel: 33p/litre

Locks

Temple

Marlow

Cookham

Boulters

Bray

Bridges

Temple 21'3

Marlow 12'8

Marlow-Bisham 19'9

Bourne End 15'6

Cookham 15'2

Cookham lock cut 12'6

Boulters 17'3

Maidenhead 18'7

M4 25'6