The present list continues the series through the middle part of the Thames. The items were noted last summer (1980) during four nearly windless days as I came downstream from Wallingford to Windsor, having to row nearly all the way. As before, R and L denote right and left banks coming downstream. The grid references apply to Ordnance Survey sheet 175, easting and northing, though at the beginning the river strays onto sheet 174 for a few miles.

R 593836 Moulsford. Slip to water’s edge at Beetle and Wedge Hotel. Old ferry site but now in car park of expense account restaurant. Parking likely to be awkward if you are not dining.

L 593834 South Stoke. Lane to river from South Stoke village leads to a low green bank opposite the Beetle and Wedge. Parking in lane. Access to five miles of the river from Wallingford to Cleeve Lock if you can clear Moulsford bridge at 21’ 8”.

R 627769 Pangbourne. Sandy beach beside A329 just below the towpath stile. Not for sizeable craft.

R 633768 Pangbourne. Slip to water’s edge at Swan Hotel car park just above weir. Ask at hotel.

R 668757 Purley. Sandy slip with motor access near Purley church. Possibly private. There is a small marina nearby, though I saw no slip there.

R 686747 Reading Marine Services. Concrete slip. Access off A329 by Scours Lane. Gives onto lovely sailing reach up to Caversham.

R 711747 Reading. Public slipway at car park just above Caversham bridge on the same reach as the previous item, A couple of hundred yards down the main road one can get the best fish and chips in the south east. Well worth a detour.

L 713747 Caversham. North of Piper’s Island just below Caversham bridge. Slip approached past side of a block of red-brick flats.

L 714745 Caversham. North of Fry’s Island. Very low bank at public green. Access past Cardinal Close. Good parking. Sanitary station for cruisers.

L 719742 Caversham. Gravel beach with easy slope at car park just below Reading bridge and just above lock weir. Through lock to fine sailing reach to Sonning.

R 731738 Reading. Kennet Marine Services at corner of Kennet and Thames by gas holders. Concrete slip. Fine sailing reach.

R 737742 Reading. Low bank by Reading Town Regatta boathouse. Car access apparently along towpath past gas holders. Same reach as last.

L 753758 Sonning Eye. Small, steepish concrete slip at French Horn Hotel car park garden. Into backwater above road bridge, about 6 ft headroom.

R 785788 Wargrave. Roughish slope to water at end of Ferry Lane at side of the Greyhound pub.

R 785789 Wargrave. Stepped slip reached across garden from car park below the St. George and Dragon. Suitable for canoe or small inflatable.

R 785792 Wargrave. Swancraft Ltd. Slip.

R 785795 Wargrave. Val Wyatt Marine Ltd. Slip.

R 765824 Henley. Hobbs and Son. Slip.

L 763828 Henley. Public launching slip at bottom of New St. Double yellow lines and one-way traffic make parking awkward nearby. On the famous Henley reach.

To be continued…