Boat Spotting

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Spotted on the River Thames
Green Boat Services were moored near St Helen’s Wharf this morning, taking a rest between helping other boats.
Spotted on the River Thames
Lady Ethel arrived at around 11:15 and left soon after taking a load of people upstream to Oxford. I was asked by some customers how to get to the landing so directed them through the Upper Reaches carpark.
Spotted on the River Thames
A rather elegant rowing boat, moored up by the Upper Reaches last night ,left a few minutes later, heading downstream towards Culham.
Spotted on the River Thames
‘This England’ motored up under Abingdon Bridge having refueled at one of Abingdon’s two refueling places.

Also had a shouted exchange with to the captain of Dylan Thomas, the troubled poet, and stood for a while next to Cloud Cuckoo.

A well managed evening swim

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Open Air Pool
There was a report in the Herald about last Thursday at the open air pool when the weather was hot and the open air pool was advertised as being open, and it did not open. People went away disgruntled. The Headline said “Pool Management Branded Shambles”. This Thursday the pool did open from 6-8pm. Photography is not allowed for obvious reasons.
Open Air Pool
And swimwear must be worn at all times.
Open Air Pool
But I may get away with one picture of the first swimmer in the pool as it is more froth than flesh.

The session was very popular. It began with a few adults swimming up and down. Then quite a few children started diving in from the deep end. More adults joined in swimming up and down, including one lady who was a little disabled. We were asked by a lifeguard to keep a small area near the side free for her. Children started playing on inflatables in the shallower area. Probably about 30 people were there in all. So a good turnout for an evening swim on a milder evening, and very well managed.

Modern Hedge Cutting

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Hedge Cutting
I was sent some pictures a week or so back by K.R who was not altogether happy with the way that the hedge had been cut at the corner of Twelve Acre Drive and the Road to Radley Village.

“It looks like somebody has bulldozed it with a very blunt instrument and the result is it has split and shredded the branches and main trunks of the hedge…. This method of hedge cutting is the worst because it leaves the hedge very vulnerable to disease and weakens the hedge too. It’s a messy job – there are bits of broken wood scattered all over the road around the roundabout and path, and all the grasses, thistles and wildflowers (some of which were very pretty and visited by bees) all around have also been indiscriminately mown close to the ground….”

Swan Upping 2013 during a heatwave + pool extra hours

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Swan Upping
Thanks to Peter for sending me pictures on July 19th of the swan uppers toasting the Queen under Abingdon Bridge at the end of the Swan Upping (the annual census of swans on the River Thames between Sunbury and Abingdon).

In 2012 Swan Upping was cancelled because the river was running too fast. In 2013, swan fledglings hatched later than usual, after a cold start to the year. However, Swan Upping took place during a heat wave.

Due to that same heatwave, a report on the Friends of the Abingdon Outdoor Pool Website says opening hours were extended on Thursdays and Fridays from 6-8pm to cope with demand. The extension continues through the summer holidays so long as weather allows.