Thursday, September 13, 2018

Reading Gaol

I think Reading Gaol is now shut, but readers of my first novel Jobs for the Boys might think that that is where the opening chapter is set. In the interests of anonymity of inmates I couldn't possibly comment.

The moorings here are I suppose the best in Reading, but they do cost £9.50 for 24 hours. A number of boaters who fail to comprehend the small print on the signs claim that it costs £100. Cobblers! That's what they could demand if you fail to comply with the procedure. You pay on line.

Here's us tied up there.





That's the prison wall on the left in the lower picture. Next to that (not shown)are the attractive old abbey ruins

Carol asked where it was, so here goes.

From the Thames turn down Kennet mouth and pass through Blake's lock. Shortly afterwards, just after the Weir on you right take the sharp right hand turn and follow round through two low bridges ( not much more than 7ft for the first one) and there you are. It's called Chestnut Walk. The town centre shops are barely five minutes walk away. To get back to the Thames just follow round the loop back to the lock. No winding required.

2 comments:

Carol said...

Thanks Neil. x

Vallypee said...

Whatever the case, your photos are lovely!