Along the Thames again!

Saturday 1^st October to Monday 3^rd October 2016

The weekend started with a dramatic change of weather – rain had set in for the day – and luckily for us our planned excursion onto the Thames, which had been set for Sunday was put back a day to Monday – the Thames Barrier was closed on Sunday and there would be no tide to cruise to Teddington and what water there would be, would be too low to pass the weirs at Richmond.

Why lucky? Well if we cruised the Thames on Sunday we would have had to get from Paddington Basin to Limehouse on Saturday – so we were saved a drenching.

As it turned out we had a lovely trip on Sunday – the sun was out shining away – we were virtually back in summer mode – this time all of the pounds were full and we had no sidetrip via the Hertford Union.

Moored up safely in Limehouse, there was a moment of contemplation when I thought of venturing out onto the slack Thames and go down and see the barrier, but to be honest we were a bit tired after the week we have had and the cruising down to Limehouse, so instead we simply relaxed and took the rest of the day off.

Monday arrived; a brilliant day; unfortunately it was my first day back at work after a week away – about 50 emails to sort through and get some of them answered before I could even think about the Thames.

We had Maggie and Paddy coming down to cruise with us, so not long before they arrive I finished in time to check the boat over – gave it the full 5 minute check as well.

We were due to depart at 12 noon, which was the same time they had given us for Sunday – we thought that this might not be correct but the lockie said that was the time to go. One other to exit with us – a yacht, but heading out to sea, so we were on our own going west.

As it was Monday; midday; working day; the clippers and all other vessel were out there going at speed and simply ignoring us, a pity that their wash didn’t ignore us and for the first hour there was a bit of up and down and rocking and rolling, but essentially there were no problems at all – it is really an enjoyable trip along this part of the river and one that we savour each time.

 

Coming out of Limehouse

Onwards to Tower Bridge

...and beyond

Finally, after the Westminster Bridge the waters calmed down and it was pretty well gentle for the rest of the trip, until we reached Richmond – the weirs were still raised and we couldn’t proceed – well we could if we went through the lock – the lockie informed us that it would just be 30 minutes until the weirs were raised out of the way – Diane was at the tiller so she simply winded and cruised back a bit and by the time she returned us to Richmond Weir we were set to carry on.

Fortunately the rest of the cruise was uneventful, just enjoyable and after transitting Teddington Lock, we moored up and had a cuppa, before it was time to say farewell to Maggie and Paddy, who had enjoyed their cruising today.

We settled back on the boat and just relaxed – we were on our way back north again – we will cruise along the Thames to Oxford and then head up along the south Oxford to Braunston – missing the closures along the way, with the furtherest being in the Napton flight.

We then have about a month to wander around before mooring the boat up and heading off home for a couple of months; so that will be the remainder of the year for us.

29 Miles, 14 Locks, 2 Tunnels

YTD:  644 Miles (1036 km) , 372 Locks, 10 Tunnels, 14 Lift Bridges, 3 Swing Bridges

Total: 4439 Miles (7144 km), 3071 Locks, 122 Tunnels, 59 Lift Bridges, 170 Swing Bridges

Early morning cruising

Monday 29^th August to Tuesday 30^th August 2016

Having decided earlier this year that we would spend another year in/around/near London and in particular cruising more of the Thames it had made sense to do it properly – hence we (meaning me) had done the VHF Operators course and we had purchased a VHF radio (Receiver/transmitter) and now we had booked our passage to leave Limehouse and go all the way to Teddington.

 

We always love seeing Limehouse Basin in the early morning light

We were due out at 8:45am – Diane had wanted an early morning cruise – this was as early as we could get at this time – her reasoning was that there would be far less river traffic if the tourists weren’t awake yet.

Also in our favour were the light to very light winds forecast for the morning.

So after seeing two other boats head out at 8:00 am bound for Brentford, we did the final part of the preparation – start the engine and cast off – into the lock we went, following Dutch Barge Dorchester.

Final instructions from the lockkeeper; lower the water level; and open the gates.

 

There she is - nice a flat, just how we want it to be

ready in the lock...

...gates open...

..off we go

We had done this voyage last year and whilst we enjoyed it we didn’t get to appreciate it all, so now we were definitely ready to do just that.

Heading out was less rocky: the river was dead flat; Diane had done her research and there were no other craft about.

We had a chance to enjoy – not even the appearance of a tug dragging a barge of empty containers or the clipper close behind upset the equilibrium – they were about the only craft we saw for the first hour of the journey.

 

just such a beautiful day to be out

I never tire of seeing my lovely wife

Some London landmarks - this one unfortunately
isn't finished yet - still the top to go...

...and the curved one - I think it is called The Penis

Tower Bridge

The toll office for Tower Bridge - oops, no, this is the Tower of London

The air was clear and cool; the sun was now up but not too high; the whole experience was totally different; were we enjoying it – absolutely.

We had the chance to just relax and see everything around us.

 

Approaching the Houses of  Parliament

This used to be Boris' office -  now it is Sadiq Khan's - the Lord Mayor of London

Nearing Westminster Bridge, we had called Dot and Gordon, who had come down to get pictures of us (and for us), with the Houses of Parliament as a backdrop.

 

That's us in front of the HoP (courtesy of Dot Campbell)

(courtesy of Dot Campbell)

(courtesy of Dot Campbell)

and there she is - that is Gordon on the left and Dot on the right (she is a bit
camera shy)

Further along, there was no need to be as snap-happy as we were last year – didn’t have to photograph everything – we sat and enjoyed – even had time to make a cuppa and some breakfast on the run.

Diane took her turn at the tiller; no problems or worries for her – she is such a good boatperson and now able to do it all.

 

The channel for Brentford - the statue is the marker to look out for

up closer

Approaching Brentford channel we could see things we hadn’t seen before, and then the journey to Teddington was relatively uneventful – that is if you discount the canoeists who wanted to take up half of the river (just needed to let them know we were coming); the family in the row-boat who were seemingly using it like a 12m yacht and changing course at each stroke; finally the large cruiser who decided that they wanted desperately to pass and did so in a narrow section with a trip boat coming the other way (damned fools), cutting in just in front to avoid a collision – we could see what was going to happen and knew we were in no danger at all – it just shows that there are still those out there who have no idea about using the waterways with others in mind.

Anyway we arrived at Teddington, last in line of the flotilla of boats, so we waited to the lock to re-empty and then we were through.

Have to say that the idea of not speeding and creating a wash in the lock cutting seems to have been forgotten by all of the cruisers who came out of the lock with us – we knew that they were all speeding to get to Kingston and beyond and find suitable mooring spots.

We were steadily moving – no point in rushing – finally making it to Kingston and yes, the cruisers were all vying for some choice locations that were empty; we couldn’t do anything about it – we headed towards the moorings for Hampton Court Park in Kingston.

There was one space that we could see, but from where we were it looked too small – funnily it got bigger as we got closer – Diane was on the bow and I on the stern checking it out, slowly inching forward – the stern cleared the boat behind before the bow reached the one in front – in we went with a few feet spare at each end – luvvly jubbly.

All moored up and settled; a few minutes later a narrowboat approached from upstream looking for a mooring but there were none left.

Diane, knowing it was Monday, suggested a lunch at The Slug and Lettice (this was a 50% off food establishment), so we enjoyed a relaxing repast.

Back to boat – I still had work to do – Diane had a chair to hold down and papers to read (oh and she also had some relaxing to do).

We didn’t achieve much later in the evening and I headed off to bed about 10pm, leaving Diane to look after some recording on the television – I was knackered – we had done 22 miles today and coupled with the long day on Sunday, it had caught up – didn’t let the head hit the pillow.

Tuesday morning and Diane informed me that Sue and Vic (No Problem XL) were moored just at the end of the line of boats where we were – we had not seen them, but then we hadn’t ventured that way; Sue had told Diane that when she walked the dogs, she had not seen us when she passed by (easy to explain that one – the height of the vegetation on the lower bank actually hid the boat from view).

Anyway we caught up for a cuppa mid-morning and had a good chat about any number of things –it was just on 8 weeks since we had last seen them.

It was much of the usual things that we talked about; Diane took Sue off to see the inside of Ferndale – Sue hadn’t seen it since we had bought it from Dot and Derek, so a few changes to have a look at.

Vic and I just left them to have a look – we looked after the chairs.

The two girls exchanged some things between the boats – a magazine rack came our way and a crotched blanket for the bed and some hand towels found a new home on No Problem XL – things that we would have had to leave on the boat at some time in the future when we decide to sell her.

 

Diane, Vic and Sue - what a great way to spend the morning

After more than a couple of hours it all of a sudden was lunch time – Sue and Vic needed to get ready to leave for their trip from Teddington down to Brentford; Diane wanted to see the inside of the Chinese restaurant again. So we said goodbye, we headed back to head out again.

After lunch it was back to the boat – me to work and Diane to read the papers – there seems to be a pattern developing here – it ain’t gonna happen for a third day (or will it?).

22 Miles, 2 Locks

YTD:  552 Miles (888 km) , 340 Locks, 4 Tunnels, 14 Lift Bridges, 3 Swing Bridges

Total: 4347 Miles (6996 km), 3039 Locks, 116 Tunnels, 59 Lift Bridges, 170 Swing Bridges

A Single Act of Kindness

Friday 26^th August to Sunday 28^th August 2016

Another warm to hot day saw the start of Friday but for us the day really shone brightly with the arrival of Dot and Gordon for a few days mooring at Rembrandt gardens.

We had missed them a bit – even though it had barely been 10 days.

After they had moored up, it was time to be away – we had lunch to have in Vauxhall – at Zeitgeist, a German pub with a lunchtime serve-up that was highly recommended by D and G.

The number 36 bus took us to Vauxhall bus station and a 15 minute walk got us to the pub – large one in side with quite high ceilings and the doors were open, so that any breeze would be caught.

It made it bareable sitting for lunch, which was a self-serve affair with plenty to satisfy us all – I did over-indulge with the mushroom and cream sauce that was available – suspected of containing garlic and onions – I paid for the luxury later that night.

Pleasing as it was to stay in the pub and just have a couple more drinks we needed to get back to the boats, so another bus trip back in the heat – why are they not air-conditioned?

  

Saturday, and we were off to Bermondsey to check out a butcher there and also to enjoy the sights and smells of the market.

When we Googled the location of the
butcher the information came up as above.
Note the misspelling of the Chinese coffee
place - should have been Fu-ckoffee

The butcher was found without problem, a lovely little coffee shop was also found – the donuts were literally to die for – the fillings – chocolate; lemon; jam; butter-scotch; and others, were just too tempting – well, at least Gordon resisted.

 

Yeah, silly people in front of a camera(phone)

I have to draw the line at this - peanut butter one of the
great tastes (not) and should be banned

After that we split up, with D and G heading back towards Stockwell to catch up with their grandson, Jamie, whilst we headed towards the O₂ arena – Diane wanted another ride on the Emirates Air Line across the Thames – after which we used the DLR and Jubilee line and Circle line to get back to the boat.

Ready to fly

High above the Thames

Part of the Old Roman Wall of Londinium on the left; the Tower of  London
on the right and a beauty in between

We were pretty knackered again – feeling hot and just a little sweaty – the humidity is what gets you the most.

Plus I wanted to see the Man United v Hull match on BT Sport via the iPad – now that we have access we want to make the most of it – a very late goal saw us remain with full points so far in the season, but a great and gutsy performance from Hull.

It was especially pleasing to wake on Sunday morning and have a few clouds around – it made a welcome relief from the last week.

We were heading off early towards Limehouse Basin and had sorted out with Dot and Gordon to take our spot – they want another week in Paddington and can do so where we were.

So a quick 6:45 am switcheroo – which is the way the London boaters do it all of the time – they were moored for another week, we were on our way.

Stopping for a Costa coffee at bridge 27 and water at St.Pancras Cruising Club, we made pretty good time.

At lock 5, I was talking to a young couple enjoying an early coffee and something to eat; they were admiring the boat and our way of life – hopefully thinking of doing it themselves when we were joined by another boat – 4 young guys with the boat belonging to the parents of one of them – they had it out for the weekend and were moving it from pont A to point B

It was here that something truly wonderful happened.

We noticed that the guys all had lovely looking danish's to go with the coffees they were drinking – Where did they get them – right there at the café beside the lock.

We asked the waitress if she would bring us a couple and we would pay for them then – she said she couldn’t and we would need to moor up and come back – we said “thanks but no thanks”and then settled to move through the lock.

Just then the young man who had been sitting talking with us at the table handed us a bag with two lovely danishes and would not take payment – he simply said to return the favour with someone whom we meet along the way.

We just could not believe how lovely and kind he was (and his partner) – the world will be in good hands if they have something to say about it.

We were simply amazed, astounded and just a bit humbled.

 

These two lovely people deserve to be happy and proud of what they had done.
Thank you for your kindness.

have to say - they were delicious

The two boats continued on until after Lock 8 where we went straight ahead, the others veered off along the Hertford Union.

All was going well until we reached Lock 11 – the pound below the lock had disappeared. Not that the cutting wasn’t there, just the water wasn’t there,

Diane ventured down to Lock 12 (the one into Limehouse Basin – our desitination) – just 2 locks and a ½ mile.

Someone had left one of the gate paddles on the bottom gates open by about 8” – enough that it would drain the pound – most probably overnight. It may very well have been that the paddle gear was stiff and tight and they thought that it was down – anyway we couldn’t go ahead.

the pound is down - no not the UK one just this one

Put a call into CaRT who had just heard about it 5 minutes before we called. The guy looking after it came by about an hour later and explained that he would need to bring water down from above Camden locks and it could take 5-6 hours before we could through the lock.

We opted to go back to the Hertford Union and go around – an addition 5 miles and 4 locks.

Anyway we finally arrived at 16:30 about 4 hours after we thought we would be there; but it was only about an additional 3 hours travelling.

Our new route via the Olympic Stadium - oops sorry West Ham's new
home ground

the water looks lovely and clean - but somehow we still managed to
pick up plastic bags and other rubbish

what can I say

When we walked over to check how the pound was filling it was still about a metre lower than normal, so I think that we made the right decision.

All moored up in Limehouse Basin and enjoying a nice hot shower and a cold drink – we would not have been here yet if we stayed where we were.

We don’t think it was deliberate, neither does CaRT – just one of thise things.

We noticed the first boat coming down through the lock was at about 8pm - long after we arrived and certainly long after we had hoped to arrive.

Fortunately for us it was a reasonable day to travel; it was noted by many of the people that we met along the way – they all seemed to be glad to have a day without the heat that we have been having and the humidity we have endured.

We also know that some people seem to think that we are complaining about the sunshine and the summer – as short as it is – that we are not.

Anyone who knows us, will know that we simply do not like such heat and humidity – it is how we are – a lot of people in this country like to cook themselves until they are lobster red and all blistered – good luck to them – which leads to……

I do not like the heat, that is true

But I think that is for me not you

High heat and humidity makes me sweat

Of this it is right you can surely bet

If you like to not sleep at night

Then certainly you have the right

Summer does not mean only blazing sun

High humidity does not make for any fun

Warm days, quiet nights and lazy breezing

Make summer forget the days of freezing

These are the days that make us glad

And be pleased to say it aint half bad

It is your right to like what you like

But mine to write of what I still like

Summer is not the time that I enjoy most

Wish I do not to spoil your time as my host

You are born to a land that is always more cold

But you wish to stay here to where you hold

Glad to complain about the weather

Losing sight that you stay under tether

Not making that step to try something new

But preferring to criticise those that will do

I do come from the land down under

Where I enjoy the sounds of thunder

I like to hear the drops on the roof

When the rains comes, that is the proof

Green lands here from sun and the rain will abound

In equal share, the growth will astound

I do not wish to see the lovely summer end

But the excess heat does my mind round the bend

But if wish to be always on heat

The smell will not always be so sweet

I respect your to right to say what you feel

But mine too remains as I say to reveal

It should not be something of which to “get a grip”

The voice should be of kinder words for my hardship

All comments I, of course will certainly publish

Even those that I think are a load of old rubbish

16 Miles, 16 Locks

YTD:  530 Miles (853 km) , 338 Locks, 4 Tunnels, 14 Lift Bridges, 3 Swing Bridges

Total: 4325 Miles (6960 km), 3037 Locks, 116 Tunnels, 59 Lift Bridges, 170 Swing Bridges

A Day out at the Race

Sunday 26th April 2015

Now for the benefit of our little "friends"from yesterday - here is the CRT sign that confirms the mooring arrangements

Last line of the top part - 

Triple berthing is not permitted (maximum of 2 narrowboats or 1 widebeam boat only)

Can't be simpler than that - doesn't require too much counting or real knowledge - just the ability to read and of course know that it applies to everyone.

Not 2 narrowboats breasted up.

It is not a case of not liking Londoners - I just simply do not like people who believe that they are better than others and have a right to do whatever they like.

Today we decided to head off to watch the London Marathon - the 35th "running" of the event and the last by Paula Radcliffe.

Train down to Tower Hill and masses of people all around, which must be the norm for the English public.

Still it was a fun time - everyone seemed to be having a good time and enjoying themselves.

Found a good position just before the 23 mile mark and got some shots of a few of the disabled athletes - their efforts no better/no worse than the professionals - perhaps more praiseworthy.

After that we moved down a bit further for a better view; not long after the leading group in the men's section came through

The fellow in the light blue top was the eventual winner, but just to be going that well would be good enough for me.

Superheroes mixing with mere mortals are always good and spiderman was certainly inside the top 50 runners.

We had thought that the women had gone through earlier - Diane googled it and it appeared that they had started an hour before the men, and that we may have missed Paula Radcliffe, but no sooner had we saw that, than a motorcycle with cameraman was in front of a group which included Ms.Radcliffe (below)

Even though the leaders were finished, marathons are about individual effort and performance; the race went on - thousands still beating out the rhythm on the road

The party atmosphere was there - at least for the spectators with bands along the way keeping the music flowing and encouraging all runners

We moved away as it made us feel a bit inadequate seeing all of these people far fitter than we were, so we headed over towards the Thames

Tower Bridge

The Shard - why haven't they finished
building this

For Diane's favourite sister

We then trained it down to Limehouse to have a bit of a look around down there - you really have to love the DLR - driverless trains; not the first time that we have experienced them either in England or elswhere - the announcements are more easily understood; the travel is more smooth - just having a nice little dig at Diane's cousin Phil who is a train driver on the Metropolitan line

If they are driverless, then why do they need
windscreen wipers?

After checking out the basin at Limehouse, the race was still going on around us, so a few more shots of competitors - this time the more zany ones was appropriate.

Let's remember that so many of the runners are doing this to help raise money for their nominated charities and the pain that they are going through to do this is deserving of the end result

notice the beard!

There were a few of these Rhinos around

Minions unite

Big bird and friend - Diane 

A little further on we found where the course double-backed on itself and runners were a bit thicker on the ground

And the band played on - this time a band of drummers - putting out a very good beat

Back to a few of the stragglers - we need to encourage all people with a Welsh leaning - keep going girls -

And all good things must come to an end - somewhere the line is drawn and those behind this car have to move to the footpath.....

...before they get cleaned up, along with the lines marking the course.

We found a set of steps leading down to the Thames - at water level - the tide was out, so we couldn't resist the chance of a few photos...

Now with over 10,000 steps on the pedometer ourselves, and not having had lunch yet, we ourselves saw the need to start heading back - the nearest station was Shadwell - was a little way off, but we found it and used the Overground.

Still find it strange that the Police block off half the entry points to the stations and force everyone into a slow queue - that doesn't help move people away quickly from a crowded area - a bit like having a huge stadium try to empty with half the exits closed.

Amazing how everyone jams themselves into the carriages near to the platform entrance and others are near empty, we found a section at the front of the train occupied with only one other person and started a conversation without any problem, and he turned out to be a driver on that line - Hammersmith & City. A really nice guy called Gino, who it turns out has a bit of a phobia with spiders, sea-snails and sharks - but maybe only those that are in Australia.
What a really nice guy.

Gino - on his way to work for the evening. Diane was
coveting his nice orange Underground bag - he did take
good care not to let her too close to it.

After leaving Paddington, it was time for something to it and we found ourselves in The Sawyers Arms just around the corner - a lovely meal and not too expensive even for London.
On the last walk for the day, there were a group of people crowding around admiring this..

Today was far more enjoyable than yesterday and maybe we are starting to get a bit more used to the pace of the city - we can never get used to nor condone bad manners.


No travel