Sailing boats are often to be seen out on Sunday afternoons and Wednesday evenings on the River Thames in Abingdon.

But there were no sailing boats out on the river this Wednesday evening. I saw only a couple of canoeists paddling back to base as the rain swept in.

Inside the Sailing Clubhouse the lights were on. It had turned into a social evening rather than one for tacking and jibing.

By the way, they did tell me, there is to be an Abingdon Watersports Activity Day at the Sailing Club at Wilsham Road on 11th July, between 10 and 3. It is a chance to try out sailing (with the Abbey Sailing Club) , rowing (with the Abingdon Rowing Club ) , and canoeing (with the Kingfisher Canoe Club ). The three water sport clubs share this area of riverbank off Wilsham Road with the army.