In the DCA Bulletin No 77 I listed a number of launching sites at which an Otter could be slipped, or easily manhandled over a low bank, between Cricklade and Swinford Bridge at Eynsham. Last August, in a short cruise which picked up where I had previously left off, I noted launching sites as far downriver as Cholsey, just above Goring.

I launched at the Caribbean Cruiser yard a mile upstream from Swinford Bridge. The site was included in the previous list, but this was the first time I have had occasion to use it. It is an immaculately maintained yard with a nice concrete slip for a dinghy, as well as elaborate lift-like contraptions for cruisers. A bit pricey: £3 for slipping and parking the car for most of a week. There is a footpath bridge over the exit from the basin, so the mast has to come down to get out into the river. This is where the gunter mast is a boon.

After Swinford there is no convenient site until below Godstow lock. As before, L and R mean left and right banks respectively, and I give the grid reference, easting and northing, for use with an Ordnance Survey map.

L Wolvercote 487094 Over bank from car park into shallow backwater. Easy from A40 and gives access to a fine reach of 2 miles with a nice paddling beach all the way for the children.

R Medley 497075 Bossom’s Boatyard. Slip opposite Port Meadow with the lovely sailing reach up to Godstow lock, the scene of Alice’s boat trip with Lewis Carroll. ‘All in the golden afternoon Full leisurely we glide; For both our oars, with little skill, By little arms are plied…’

L Medley 499075 Medley Boat Station. From Walton Well Road. Launch over sandy beach above boatyard moorings. Gives access to same reach as above.

L Oxford 505058 Osney Marine boatyard just below Osney lock. Oxford’s backyard. Not exactly the most delectable of reaches, and slip liable to be cluttered with boats under repair.

L Oxford 515056 Salter’s Boatyard at Folly Bridge. Slip liable to be obstructed by hire punts, etc. On Oxford’s principal rowing reach.

L Hinksey 524044 Above Hinksey road bridge. Fine slip with attendant swans, and space for parking. The bridge will not pass the Bermudan mast, but you have a full mile from here up to Folly bridge. Better than Salter’s for this reach.

H Radley 538987 Oxford University boathouse. Strictly private, this, but it gives access to a fine 4 mile reach of river from Sandford to Nuneham. Put on your best college blazer, or use influence, and ask very politely of the caretaker. If crews are not in training, you may be lucky.

R Abingdon 497967 Public slip by St. Helen’s church. Immediately off a double-yellow road, so parking needs forward planning. On a splendid reach down to Sutton Courtenay Pools.

R Abingdon 496965 Abingdon Sailing Club.

R Clifton 548946 Long Wittenham backwater. Low bank alongside B road. Nice open water up to Clifton Hampden bridge, and beyond for gunter users.

L Benson 614915 Hoseason’s boatyard. Two slips.

L Wallingford 610894 Over bank below bridge, from camp site.

R Wallingford 608890 Public slip. Ramp to water level then a drop into shallow water.

R Wallingford 608890 Wallingford Marina next to public lane. Slips. These Wallingford sites give access to a 4 mile stretch to Moulsford railway bridge, part open, part blanketed.

L Little Stoke 602855 Old Ferry ramp near Littlestoke Manor. Access public but probably private as far as parking is concerned. Ask permission at cottage by slip.

R Cholsey 602855 Old ferry ramp at end of lane beside Fairmile Hospital grounds. Free access and parking along lane. A fairly popular launching spot and a useful cruise terminal. A kilometre up the lane to the Alder Valley bus stop, and a bit further to Cholsey and Boulsford railway station, which seems unaltered since Brunel built it all those years ago.

As far as I know, that is the lot as far as Cholsey, but feasible launching sites can easily be tucked away out of sight from the river. If any reader knows of such, please let me know. Finally, I should repeat that there is a modest charge for using the river. At the moment (1978) it is £3.12. If this seems much for an annual licence, consider that in 1878 the same licence cost £2 for a dinghy, and turned into current cash that would be at least £60; and in those days the river was crowded.