Category Archives: boats

New work by ‘River’ Banksy revealed

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River Banksy
A new work by ‘River’ Banksy has been discovered at Abingdon Lock. Previous works included a crocodile, pooh bear, and a menagerie of animals on the island. Now the biggest work yet – a giraffe – has been discovered. It takes River Banksy’s work to a whole new level.
River Banksy
That is not all that is new at the lock. A defibrillator machine has also been installed. Hopefully it will never be needed but, if it is, it could save a life.
River Banksy
Otherwise life near the lock continues much as normal. One of the Salter’s steamers came through while I was there – an out of season hire. The season begins on 27th May. The Salter Steamer service between Abingdon and Oxford runs 7 days a week, from 27th May to 10th September 2017 – timetable here.

Hire Boats back in the water

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Hire Boats back in the water
The hire boats, including some new ones, are back in the River Thames at Abingdon Bridge. They were very nearly sold and lost as a visitor attraction last autumn.
Hire Boats back in the water
Then Salters stepped in and took over the Kingcraft business as a going concern. Abingdon Bridge Marine Limited (a company wholly owned by Salter Brothers of Oxford) will now operate the chandlery, moorings, and fuel business, as well as operate hire boats.

In addition the website Abingdon Bridge Marine says they will be operating 40 Minute return boat trips daily From 1st April 2015 (towards Culham Lock cut).

Salter Steamers will continue to operate the Abingdon to Oxford and Abingdon to Wallingford long-haul services, but will operate from Abingdon Bridge Marine rather than the Upper Reaches Hotel.

Start of School Year 2014/15

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Class of 2014 - 15
We are nearing the end of the 2014 season for The Abingdon Boat Centre.
Class of 2014 - 15
Another boat is guided back into position at the end of a fun day.

In another couple of week the boats will be stacked on the oil drums for the off season.
Class of 2014 - 15
Schools are back. On Monday, in Oxfordshire, there was an inset day for teachers. There is much to learn as the primary curriculum is having a radical shake up as the UK tries to emulate the world’s highest achieving schools. Details of the curriculum are on The School Run. Some quick headlines … Computing replaces ICT, with a greater focus on programming. Calculators will not be introduced until near the end of KS2, to encourage mental arithmetic. A language will become mandatory in KS2.

By today, Thursday 4th September, all the pupils had gone back for the year 2014/15.

Grounded

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Thanks to Tony and Steve who sent me pictures of different boats grounded opposite Wilsham road.
Grounded
Tony says “Walkers watched as a young man jumped into the Thames and tugged on a rope, trying to pull his boat free after it had beached (on the wrong side of the green buoys) opposite the Ferry Boat House on Wilsham Road. His efforts were in vain.
Grounded
A friendly boat tried to tug the boat free and failed.
Grounded
Some other Good Samaritans clearly knew a thing or two about boats, and tried a different tactic. They pulled the stranded boat’s nose round at right angles to the bank, and she was free! …. and able to resume her journey – on the correct side of the channel this time.”
Grounded
Back in June, Steve sent me a picture of “a cabin cruiser stuck fast on the sand bank opposite Wilsham Road with another just about to tow it off.”