River Thames:Shillingford

Pat went ahead to set Sandford Lock as early in the morning it is on self service.  If the lock is already full the gates will not open unless the paddles are up.  They wern't and it takes ages for the automated sequence to run.  Soon we were through and on our way.  We needed to offload rubbish above the lock at Abingdon Facilities, but Pat also wanted to find a newsagent in the town for which we needed to moor up.   Early in the morning one might expect all the moorings to be taken which they were except for one boat which right on cue left its moorings as we approached.   The nearby field was busy with a horsey event.  A stream of horse boxes and other vehicles were arriving.   We were not stopping of course, and left to continue on.    Along the way we passed a long distance swimmer accompanied by a guy on a paddle board with all their luggage on it.  A strange sight to be honest and wondering quite what kind of assistance this guy could give if needed.   We arrived at Shillingford Hotel in due course and moored outside for lunch, but then moved back to the bankside mooring in the shrubbery that we have used before.   The water is deep and the bank just about manageable for Alfie.   Later in the afternoon the swimmer and the man on a board passed us still going strong, if that's the right work.   Perhaps we will pass them again tomorrow.   Also this afternoon we watched a narrowboat go aground cutting the corner opposite the timbered house.  Well and truly stuck there resisting all efforts to get off, the boat resting midships.   A hire cruiser took pity and towed them off eventually.