There was a good turn out on Saturday morning with adults, children, and dogs joining together for a litter pick in the sunshine organised by the AbiBinit! Litter Picking Initiative.

Colin Galloway has been keeping Abingdon litter-free longer than most and got a Mayor’s award in 2014. He is onto his third trolley which helps carry heavier litter back to the collection point.

However back at Reynold’s Way where there was a litter pick last month, the litter is building again against the wall of the Reynolds Supermarket.

After plummeting the few feet at Abingdon Weir the water looks like it is boiling,

There has been a lot of rain over the last week.

Below Abingdon Lock the river looks much calmer.

The River Thames is running fast. It widens

and narrows through the bridge at Abingdon and then flows away towards Culham and more distant places like Reading and London.

There will be a litter pick from Abingdon Lock on Saturday from 10 am but due to the fast flow the canoe club will not be out.

Daphne has been enjoying the last of the summer in Abingdon-on-Thames. While watching from the Wilsham Road river bank she saw a visiting narrow boat,

a hire boat,

a rower,

and a paddle boat.

On the far bank, she saw caravans and campers on the cricket pitch,

and a balloon taking off at first light from the meadow.

I should be back to resume coverage of Abingdon events from tomorrow or Wednesday. I did see Princess Anne today. Crowds were gathering near the Save The Children shop in Ulverston, Cumbria. Princess Anne arrived a few minutes later. She has visited Abingdon twice during the lifetime of the Abingdon Blog.

Early on Sunday Morning the water of the River Thames was still and there were clear reflections

The Old Gaol that operated as a prison from 1844 to 1868 has spent most of its existence being used for other purposes. It is now housing.

A view of boats an both banks of the River Thames from Abingdon Bridge looking towards St Helen’s Church.

St Helen’s Church with the grounds of the Malthouse in the foreground.

A Salter Steamer moored overnight at the Abingdon Bridge Marine.

The Magic Dragon moored nearby.