19th JAN. SHIPLAKE to STREATLEY (nr. Cleve Lock)

Woke up with the dull hoot of a Tawney Owl. The tent in and outer was wet,  and also the outer of the sleeping bags, the wettest yet!
We had laid in until 6.30 we had no breaky due to lack of water and lack of enthusiasm to exit the tent and melt water for tea. We were generally short of supplies and need to restock in Oxford.
It was a slow damp start and  a slight thaw made things feel colder.To top it we seemed to have pitched on mud which now thawed clung to the tent ground sheet. The orange glow from Reading like that of an open fire still discoloured the snow in the half light. We were away by 7.45.
The walk to Reading was striaght forward,  however the snow melt made it wetter and as result our feet suffered. It was over twentyyears since I had been/lived around this area and I found it unrecognisable. New buildings,  new features encroaching into the country.
It was a slow plod of urban to Caversham Bridge. We detoured across the bridge to Wetherspoons pub the Baron Carogan about 10 mins the other side.We had our usual £2.99 breaky and coffee, excellent value on our budget and a boost to moral. Folk may turn their noses up at such places but it is these places that are a refuge for us.
Weight could not charge our phones .
Leaving we popped into the laundrette to dry off yhe tent and sleeping bags.The bags came out smelling like damp dog. I popped out for meths,  crisps and a carton of apple juice. J informed me that it did not quench his thirst...it did mine!
We regained the tow path and trudged to Tilehurst and on to Mapleduram Lock.
A few miles on we entered Pangbourne via a few snowmen, one sat on the bench. We crossed the bridge to Whitchurch and its toll road,  £3. There was a novelty of walking up hill then through a woodland. I used to work at Beale Park on the opposite bank but the trees made it hard to see clearly. We did a few more climbs before descending to the river. Near the railway bridge we stopped and threw snowballs at hanging icicles. Sadly J won...he would want me to say how skilled he was...lucky shot! He also hit me and it went down my neck...joy.
We saw another Red Kite over Goring and the path there was fairly muddy.We crossed the double bridge into Streatley,  it would of been great to stop at the Youth Hostel but our budget was getting tighter. We were aiming at Oxford Youth Hostel on monday...we hope.
Having crossed into Streatley passed the Swan pub then skirted around the church. Flooded path redirected us to the road. I was sure we could of followed a path through Cleve House but signs said otherwise. We ended up taking the Lock keepers road to the Cleve Lock.
We stopped at the lock for water. The hose pipe I expected to be iced up spat out ice shards then cleared and thankfully did its job. Both our water containers now leaked.
We walked a mile on to an unfenced Nat.Trails gateway .We pitched in dimming light 5 ish.A dog walker went by....
We had tea and no bics, so mince and pasta made do,  bowls wiped out with the last of the bread.
Listened to radio 4. J asleep by 9.