Reading

Before you get up to Reading, keep an eye out for Tesco on the port bank.  Technically Tesco at Caversham, it's within Reading boundaries, and there's absolutely nothing else nearby to recommend the place - Caversham that is, not Reading.  Tesco have done us proud here, with a long length of mooring, rubbish bags on the railings round their grounds, and easy paths from the tow path up to the store.  If you've got a lot of shopping, ask for their "carry to boat" service - it sometimes works!  Don't panic if you find no spaces to moor here - you'll usually find the blokes on the boats while the women shop, so you'll have no trouble getting someone to let you moor alongside.  The store is huge, so you could be here a while.

Reading itself hosts the Reading festival each year at a riverside site.  It's fenced off from the tow path to prevent free access, but you can always moor up and listen to the music.  If you prefer your fun a bit quieter, there's lots of pubs, restaurants and shops in Reading itself.

Since the town originally grew up round a Benedictine Abbey perhaps now is a good time to break out the liqueurs...