Day 9 - Burghfield to Marlow Rolled out of bed at 06-something-or-another for an early start through Reading. Sun drove the mist off the canal and we were under way by 07:20. Last 3 locks on the K&A seemed in reasonable nick, although the pontoon giving access to the top of County Lock is out of commission. Bought 3 days Thames licence from a very nice man at Blakes Lock and admired the nesting grebe which is occupying a tree fallen half way across the lock tail, thus preventing the tree being removed, according to a notice at the lock. We will not ask how long it took the grebe to take up residence. Just about 10:00 when we tied up at the 24hr Tesco to reprovision and take lunch. Then popped across to Better Boating to top up the diesel tank [70p/litre - declare any split you're comfortable with] and to buy a s/hand life ring, a luxury we have never previously sported. Left there at 13:40 and spent the afternoon admiring the Thames Valley and trying to remember our Thames Lock etiquette and technique. Found a space on the moorings above Marlow on the N bank at 18:25. Dinner on board and a plan to head for Maidenhead in the morning to take on more crew.
20mi 2fl; 10 locks [3 by us, 7 by EA staff]; 6.70 engine hours Baz
