Commodore’s Report July 2026

Commodore’s Report July 2026

The main activity in June was the cruise to Abingdon, which was organised by Terry and Mandy starting on15th June. The weather for the week was blisteringly hot (similar to last year)
Six boats took part, namely Lady Farrington, Scotch Mist, Laird Tommy xx, Zephyr, Enterprise 111 and Kerry Anne V. Start points and times were staggered with Zephyr, Enterprise and Kerry Anne departing early. Scotch Mist and Laird Tommy met up at Penton Hook lock on Monday afternoon and cruised together to Baths Island in Windsor. Philip, aboard Kerry Anne had booked into Windsor Marina. Tony & John were held up in Romney lock for 30minutes as the gates would not open. John called the EA emergency number, and the emergency lock keeper gave advice. We think a Le Boat crew had pressed all the buttons which sent the lock into shock mode!
The fleet was widely dispersed on the Tuesday, with Chris and Lin heading for Wallingford and Geoff and Sally finding a spot at Goring. Scotch Mist & Laird Tommy moored at Henley on the Mill and Marsh Meadows. The mooring fee (£15 per night) is paid through an app, which is not the most user friendly.
The start from Henley on Wednesday morning was accompanied by a minor drama, as the electronic control for Scotch Mist’s port engine misbehaved, preventing gear engagement. Laird Tommy completed a circuit of the island to offer help, by which time a “switch off, switch on again” routine had solved the problem. A long, and hot cruise followed to Pangbourne, where no visit is complete without a trip to both the pie shop and the cheese shop to stock up. Lady Farrington, having set out late from Windsor Marina, joined Scotch Mist and Laird Tommy at Pangbourne for the evening. Tony & John watched the England v Croatia game in the World Cup.
On Thursday the fleet all gathered at Wallingford, and crews enjoyed a bankside “Bubbles & Nibbles” tea before Jon & Geraldine left for a romantic evening meal to celebrate their wedding anniversary.
A staggered start on Friday allowed for a gentle cruise onward to Abingdon, taking advantage of buying ice cream from the jovial lock keeper at Clifton lock. Mandy and Terry had booked the moorings in the area behind Abingdon lock. They with Chris and Lin and Philip, had arrived early and set up tables and chairs on the bank, festooned in bunting, making a very welcoming sight for the later arriving crews. The Abingdon site in hot summer weather is truly idyllic, with ample shade provided by the mature trees. The Albany dogs (Ernie the labrador and Donnie and Jasmine the Italian Greyhounds) could run free with no risk of them straying or coming to harm. The site even has shore-power available, enabling the boats to enjoy all the comforts of home!
On Friday evening, eight crew members took a leisurely walk into Abingdon (the walkway over the weir was open, unlike last year) Here they enjoyed a very good meal at the Crown & Thistle.
Saturday dawned overcast and humid, but this did not deter John, Chris, Geoff and Terry from inflating their dinghies, and going for a dinghy trip to Abingdon. On the return leg, the heavens opened in a torrential shower, catching three of the dinghies while in the lock. Spirits were not dimmed, however, and the sun soon came back out.
Mandy & Terry had booked a meal for the Saturday evening at the King’s Arms at Sandford lock and transported the entire Albany contingent aboard Lady Farrington for the cruise upriver. Mandy excelled herself with Hors d’oeuvres and prosecco provided during the journey.
On Sunday, the crews organised a BBQ to end the activities. This proved a great success with exotic alternatives to the usual BBQ fare, such as minute steaks, salmon parcels and halloumi burgers, all washed down with beers and wine and followed by various after dinner tipples. Many hands made light work of clearing the site and taking down the bunting ready for an early start on the return trip on Monday morning.
The early start was slightly delayed while Terry used his engineering skills to retrieve the toilet key which had become stuck fast in the lock.
Vessels again made their own way back, Scotch Mist and Laird Tommy putting in a very long day to moor at Caversham as there was no space at Pangbourne. Zephyr found a mooring at Goring for the second time in a decade!
By Wednesday, Zephyr had joined Scotch Mist and Laird Tommy back at Baths Island, outside the Leisure Centre, where the three boats sizzled in the record high temperature. John and Geoff collected pizzas from the Windsor and Eton micro-brewery, and a bankside “pizza party” brought the activities to a close.
On behalf of all those that attended, I would like to thank Mandy & Terry for their excellent organisation and hard work. Abingdon ’26 was a truly memorable event!