About turn? due to closure of Clitheroe Lock no 99

Our plan this year was to cruise the River Thames for a couple of weeks from Oxford to Brentford and then cruise the Grand Union Canal back North to the River Trent. Unfortunately, due to a damaged Cill at Clitheroe Lock  (just after you leave the Thames at Brentford) it has been closed for emergency repair and the only other way is to downstream on the tidal Thames all the way to Limehouse 😟 - which is not recommended!! We made a phone call to CRT to check for updates re progression of the works, but unfortunately there was no more information available at that time.  So, after much deliberation over a pint or two and a meal at The King & Castle Wetherspoons in Windsor, we decided to turn around the following day. 

The following morning, we began our return journey upstream towards  the Oxford Canal. At least we will see the River Thames from a different perspective.   We headed to Marlow - once again, the moorings are limited but due to kind boaters on narrow boats 'Midnight' and 'Kyle', we managed to squeeze in.

Marlow

Marlow is a lovely market town, the only thing that blights it is the traffic on the main high street, but there are plenty of shops/cafes/restaurants etc and a handy Sainsbury's Local.  The following day we cruised through Henley.  All the rowing lanes, marquees, stalls etc were set up and finishing touches were being made for the regatta next week.

The rowers were out in force practising and it was great to see.👍  Whilst we were cruising through Henley, an update regarding Clitheroe lock appeared in our inbox.  Oh NO! we cried, is the lock going to be open imminently???  have we turned round in error?😟.... er no, just an update to say work is ongoing replacing the entire Cill and a further update is due on 4th July.  Due to our commitments, we cannot hang around, so luckily it looks like we have made the correct decision.  

St Andrew's Church, Sonning

Cruising upstream the following day, we moored at Sonning, where a couple of famous names have homes; Jimmy Page and George and Amal Clooney.  We had a walk around the village and had a look in the church.  What a stunning historic church it is.  There is a plaque naming the vicars of Sonning and it was really interesting to see the first entry was 1222.