Just moving right along

Tuesday 4^th October to Friday 7^th October 2016

Mooring at Teddington means being fairly close to the wier there and consequently a degree of background noise – we were exhausted again on Monday night and did not hear a thing as we hopped into bed – awaking reasonably refreshed on Tuesday morning.

A bit more work completed and then time to cruise away; another lovely sunny day again – are we still in England – we keep hearing of bad weather further north, but for us it has been quite lovely indeed – we know that it is a bit cooler, but it is sunny!!

We needed to have a reasonably quick stop at Kingston – Diane wanted to get a few things that she hadn’t found and I needed to visit the HSBC branch there – whilst we were cruising to Limehouse on Sunday, I was walking the towpath and came across a debit-card lying there. I called the bank on Sunday evening to advise them, they cancelled the card and I needed to just drop it into the nearest branch – hence a stop at Kingston.

A bonus was that on our way back to the boat we found a quite large asian supermarket which we hadn’t been looking for but we picked up a few more ingredients that Diane wanted to use in the Japanese pancakes that she has been making – they taste better than the ones in Paddington Basin and just as good as the best we have been used to.

After an hour stop we pushed off and as we neared Hampton Court Palace a cruiser coming towards us but a distance away, was winding and then mooring up on the moorings there – imagine our surprise to find when we got closer that the cruiser was the ONLY boat moored there – we had never seen it like that before – pity that we didn’t want to stop there.

 

...still known as the "Selfie-Queen"

Our planned destination was around Shepperton. It was only about an hour and a half away and with the day as pleasant as it was we enjoyed the time outside on the water and the wind sweeping through our hair.

Up through Shepperton lock and around the island we moored up at “Chersey Meads” right behind Still Rockin’ – well fancy that, it was almost as though we knew they were right there – wait a minute, we did – Diane had seen on the blog and had texted to Carol that we were on our way.

A cuppa on board with both George and Carol and another couple (Colin and Rikki) who were building a wide-beam – so a chat about various things on boats for cruising the Thams and canals – Colin and Rikki were more attuned to sea-going craft.

Later on, George did the honours with the BBQ, and a great job he did too! We enjoyed a lovely evening with two very lovely friends and honoured we are to be able to say that.

 

A Master Chef lesson for me from George (the master)

for everyone to see - Diane with salad - it certainly amused Carol

We needed to move along the next day, so at 9am we waved farewell to both and we were off again – not so much as a tight schedule but one that we wanted to keep moving now rather than having to stress later if we got tight with time.

 

The start of a lovely sunny day

Approaching Staines, we spotted a familiar vessel – No Problem XL – we pulled alongside, Vic appeared but there was no Sue – she was off visiting to Les and Jackie (nb Valerie) – our best wishes go to both at this time.

Anyway we chatted with Vic or a little while – he still delights in stirring up Diane and it works every time – he was looking decidedly well and enjoying the bit of sunshine that we happened to be having at the time.

We needed to be off and said our farewells to Vic and left him to enjoy his day.

The wind was picking up and after transiting through Bell Wier Lock (with the grumpy lockie) we moored up about a half mile further along.

Diane had done the washing whilst we cruised and thought the lovely little breeze (read that at blowing a gale) would dry it quick smart – well she got it hung out, but wasn’t game to leave for fear that it would disappear – so she spent an hour holding onto it and was looking quite pleased at the end of the hour – it was all dry.

 

Diane had the windswept look but she was glad to have the washing dry

A walk into Egham was rewarding – we found a ship’s decanter in a charity shop for a fiver – now we have three of them. Free coffee at Waitrose, something to eat and then back to the boat.

Whilst Diane was away on her week of cruising the Med. (and leaving me on my own) there were a few shows that needed recording so that she could watch them when she returned, so we needed to start catching up on these programs – always good to do on a blowy evening.

She spent Thursday early morning (after 7am) in bed with her usual coffee and wrote a form of plan for our cruising – Thursday meant that we would be heading to Oxford, so now I knew where we were heading and head off we did at around the usual time – which is between 9am and 10am.

Sadly the weather was not as brilliant as it had been, but the sun was out at times; there were a lot more boats on the move today after the previous days windy weather. Many of the locks we have been through have been on self-service, so whilst I controlled the boat, Diane opened the sluices and watched me bobble about.

 

Always nice to get that first look of Windsor Castle

We found a lovely mooring just beyond the main mooring area – just outside the river-side gym – and here we plan to spend a couple of days – a planned rest day, and a chance for shopping (me thinks!).

No sooner had we finished tying up the ropes than the mooring sherriff was passing a slip of paper towards us (all filled in) and seeking some payment – bloody quick if you ask me.

Unfortunately,  I was not quick enough to count out a large amount of small change to make the payment, but I did so on Friday.

 

Two Queens together 

It was nice to not move for a day and a perfect early start to the weekend (well a day early) – we managed to get the shopping done (for some clothes).

More catching up on recorded programs; the winter duvet has appeared from its summer hiding place – a sure sign of what will be coming when we start heading northwards.

We found it just cold enough on Friday night to light up the Reflecs for a few hours – just to take the chill off the air, but after a couple of hours it seemed pretty well warm enough.

23 Miles, 8 Locks

YTD:  667 Miles (1073 km) , 380 Locks, 10 Tunnels, 14 Lift Bridges, 3 Swing Bridges

Total: 4462 Miles (7181 km), 3079 Locks, 122 Tunnels, 59 Lift Bridges, 170 Swing Bridges

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

Lesson 1: How to Avoid Rowers.

Wednesday 31^st August to Tuesday 6^th September 2016

We weren’t exactly early about extracting the pins and heading off on Wednesday morning – about 8:30 was early enough – we would not be going too far today.

Some weeks ago as we were passing through Sunbury Lock, the lockie suggested to us that if we were looking for a good mooring, then around the back of the lock was an area referred to as King’s Park, where spots were almost always available.

So we wanted to test them out.

Past Hampton Court Palace – pretty well chockers there – up through Molesey Lock, used the services and then pushed along and diverted to the right as we approached Sunbury Lock – sure enough, we found some lovely moorings with plenty of space.

At first it seemed a little close to the road, but upon checking it didn’t feel like it would be that busy later on.

It was another day of lovely sunshine – not too hot, not too humid and with a little bit of wind – Goldilocks weather.

A little later the Enforcement Officer came along and Diane had a good chat with him – fluttering the eyelashes at the right times. Seems that many of the locals are keeping a lookout on his behalf and advising when there were boats overstaying – he wasn’t there to see us about that – it was his normal day to come along and he would be back on Friday.

Diane explained that we hadn’t moored there before and the area looked interesting – with a wink and a nod we were right until Friday morning.

I have to say that by the time we did leave, all of the boats that were initially there, had gone and been replaced with some others – a sign that people are doing the right thing – particularly when a friendly face is using their judgement in a good way to enforce the byelaws.

Explore the area we did, but there seemed to be a predominance of pubs and a decided lack of coffee shops – we found just one – inside the walled garden – a lovely place to spend a few hours in mild contemplation.

Huge areas of parkland to wander around – we didn’t do too much wandering around, there was the little matter of a few cows grazing which seemed to put Diane off the idea of a wider area walk.

 

Right - youvé been warned

They really were quite OK, if just a little wary of us

By the time we had left we felt that it was a nice quiet place to stop; very easy to find a pub; peaceful; we may stop there again given the chance.

We made it around to the lock at a few minutes after 9am, thinking that we might just sneak up on the lockie, by not appearing from the main channel, but no, she was there ready and waiting for us – so straight in and up – our thanks to her for such efficiency.

Onward now towards Weybridge / Shepperton and seeing where we could find a mooring.

Our preference was for a place near to Shepperton, but sadly they were all full; even had a boat in the No MOORING area content to flout the rules and ignore the sign – encouraging us to do the same on the basis that the person patrolling wouldn’t be back until Monday – No thanks to you, that is just not on!

Further around we went – the moorings across from the lock – on the Weybridge side were full and there were reservations for the 3^rd and 4^th anyway, so moved back down through the cutting and then around the end of Desborough Island and onto the EA moorings there – all on our own.

After a walk into Weybridge we came back to find that most of the spots had gone, but no worries for us, we were settled there.

The weather had not been as brilliant as the two previous days, but still very enjoyable indeed.

I think that these are brilliant moorings – very quiet, very peaceful, nice wide waterway, no passing traffic, boats not passing too close.

We had reason to call Teddington Lock to see what the tide times were for a departure back down to Brentford over the next few days. The answer didn’t leave us with too many options and we would need to head back the following morning to Teddington.

It would not need to be a rush trip, but we wanted to not dally about and so we were ready to set off just after 8am – it would have been an easy U-turn from the mooring and then head back down river, if it wasn’t for a pair of rowers who decided to sit right in the middle of the river and have a chat, despite the clear indication from us that we were wanting to move and would be going right where they were – they were just happy to sit and have a nice girly chat until they were ready to move.

Not really a shared river to them.

Carefully entering the main part of the river and avoiding even more rowers coming downstream at all positions across the river we negotiated still more of them – ahead of us they would suddenly stop right in front; coming up from behind (on both sides) and darting in front as though it was a challenge.

Their handlers (coaches) in their little outboard-powered row boats were not much better.

When will they learn that someday they will have a serious accident with a steel-hulled boat and it will be they that come off worse for wear and we will have a little mark on the blacking.

 

Found these guys all moored up below Molesey Lock as we came through -
Dunkirk boats

Anyway, we cleared Molesey Lock and decided to stop at Kingston for a break and get a few things that we needed – a lovely spot was available on the town side (free moorings) so we grabbed it; secured the boat; got everything done and then set off again, reaching Teddington at not long after noon – where we would stay for the night.

Went down to check with the lockie about the time tomorrow and pay for the mooring and found a large number of the Dunkirk boats in the large lock heading down river for (as the lockie put it – "a G and T before coming back again”).

 

...and here are some of them again - heading down river

A walk into Teddington proper followed and we made it back to the boat just in time to beat the rain which had been threatening – it may have been wet outside, but the humidity vanished and it became a bit cooler and much more pleasant.

We had the alarm set for 4:15am but as usual we beat it by over an hour – the boat was ready by about 4:30 and there was a bit of light in the distance; we had something to eat and a first coffee for the day – not much to do but wait for our 5:15am slot – we would be accompanied by two other boats – neither of whom had made this passage, so we would have to lead – we were the “experienced” crew having done it once previously.

At the allotted time the gates opened and with not much more light in the sky we headed off.

 

When I say it was still dark....

...it was dark - could still find Diane in her new pink life preserver

Apart from the wonky camera work, it was very much like this as
we came out of the lock

At first it took a little bit to orientate ourselves but very quickly it became such a wonderful time.

 

Perhaps a better view of what it was like

There was sufficient light from our tunnel light and from lights ashore to see where we needed to go, but I do know that having been this way, even once before, made it vastly easier than not.

The other two boats were a little way back but going well; we settled in to enjoy the early morning; the sounds of the wildflife waking; no wild-life ashore on their way home that we could see or hear; and no other craft on the water – especially no damn rowers.

 

But it did get lighter

Richmond was well lit and very lovely in that light, but then again it looks quite good in total daylight; further along and the first planes were coming into Heathrow – one after the other – it was a busy Sunday morning in the skies, but for us, we were a million miles from anywhere.

 

Approaching Richmond

They were still there - not far behind

By now it was a lot lighter in the sky

Finally it had to end and the Brentford statue came into view – we did the turn and arrived at the lock just as the lockie was getting there – he would have a delayed first smoke of the day – we made it a good quarter of an hour before they thought we would – must have been a fast tide – it wouldn’t have been Diane’s river speed!

 

Her they come

Just peaceful river cruising - lovin' it

Back onto the “ditch” again, we shared the first locks with one of the boats, but they stopped after that for breakfast and we carried on up the remainder of the locks with the other boat and a couple of nice guys named Steve and Gavin.

They were great and really switched on about getting through – no rushing around, just good efficient lock work – at the top, we both needed to stop for about the 3^rd or 4^th clearout of props, from the blanket weed and tree cuttings from further down.

We headed off first, waved our goodbyes and made it to Yiewsley, found a good mooring and stayed there.

Sunday lunch at Paddington Packet Boat, back to our boat, watched England almost miss 3 points, and slept very well – it had been a brilliant day – something very new to us and thoroughly enjoyable.

 

Lovely lunch to finish off a lovely day

The following day, Monday, we were joined by Dot and Gordon and both crews have been here for a couple of days now.

33 Miles, 16 Locks, 2 Tunnels

YTD:  585 Miles (941 km) , 356 Locks, 6 Tunnels, 14 Lift Bridges, 3 Swing Bridges

Total: 4380 Miles (7049 km), 3055 Locks, 118 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