On to Abingdon

We set off yesterday after another quiet mooring above Pinkhill Lock, and started heading back towards civilisation. Jasper and Snoopy said their goodbyes too !! We hope to be back soon.

The river is wide at Port Meadow and the wind was very strong. The lock keepers parting words as we exited Kings Lock were 'Good luck across the Meadows' which doesn't exactly instill confidence. Godstow Bridge is by river standards quite low at 8'5" and it would seem that plenty fail to heed the warning signs of 'low skew bridge'

Godstow Bridge

The remains of Godstow Abbey are just above the lock. Once a 12C nunnery and known for its 'hospitality' towards monks, it was destroyed by Henry VIII during his dissolution of monestries. It has since been a chapel, but is now back to a ruin state.

Godstow Abbey and 'photo bombed' by a goose

We continued on through Oxford, passing the numerous boat houses from where some of the country's elite rowers will have emerged. Very quiet on the water today, in fact we only passed one crew out on the water from Radley College.

Boat Houses in Oxford

Iffley Lock was very attractive and we were very tempted to make an impromptu stop here, but decided to carry on towards Abingdon.

Iffley Lock

The wind got stronger as the afternoon went on. Nuneham House stands proud up on the hillside approaching Abingdon. Built in 1756 for the 1st Earl Harcourt, it is now owned by Oxford University and leased by the Brahma Kumaris World Spirtual University and used as a retreat centre. 

Nuneham  House 

We spent the night above Abingdon Lock, but have moved down into town today. What a lovely place it is. We will stay here for a couple of days looking at the weather forecast and we have guests arriving tonight. Best get a bottle of wine open then as the sun is out doing its bit today before the rain moves in tomorrow. 

Our current mooring in Abingdon.