Saturday 1st
October to Monday 3rd 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
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.
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| 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 
Hi Ray and Dianne.
ReplyDeleteHow far North are you coming?