Barking up the wrong creek!

Today was another day of drama and excitement.  At 10 o’ clock we met up with members of the St Pancras Cruising Club, who’d very kindly invited us to join then for an excursion to Barking Creek.

At Bow Locks the five boats were locked down onto the tidal Bow Creek where we punched the incoming tide down to the Thames.

Adrian, who had joined us yesterday, was as keen as the rest of us to take ‘Chance’ down through the Thames Barrier and up to Barking.  The only problem was the increasing wind strength and we were waiting for the club Commodore to make the decision to go or to turn back.

Sadly, by the time we got down to the Thames the wind had increased beyond the safety limit and we were advised to turn back.

Before turning we were able to get a shot of the O2 Arena and then it was a swift about turn and a gentle, disappointing trip back up Bow Creek.

Adrian and James making the turn to go back.

Although the weather was ever threatening, it turned out to be a dry day.  Bow Creek can be quite wide in places.

We were all allowed back into Lime house Marina as we were “taking shelter”.  We met on the quayside for a warming tot courtesy of the Commodore.   Thank you Andrew!

One important reason for the St Pancras Cruising Club going to Barking Creek was at the invitation by residents to join them for a BBQ.  Not to be outdone, we all got to Barking Creek, but this time it was by train!

We enjoyed a super afternoon with the very welcoming residents of the creek and, despite the wind we had a great time. Thanks to all the lovely people who welcomed us so warmly and looked after us so well.

Doug helping out with the wonderful salmon which was so expertly cooked and enjoyed.

We can’t keep away!

Our guest today was Adam (nb ‘Briar  Rose’) who we were delighted to have aboard.  We got to Teddington Lock, where he joined us for the journey down to Limehouse Basin.  Yes we did the tidal Thames again – this time in the opposite direction!  Most of the pictures speak for themselves:

We were the first of eight boats in the lock at Teddington this morning – all of the rest were destined for Brentford but we were going for the full Monty.

Just as we entered the big lock, Elly and Mick on nb Parisien Star were entering the smaller lock after their trip from Brentford.

We had a good lunch on the way to Brentford.  Cheese risotto (Thanks Jaq)with mini pizzas and salad. (and wine of course!)

Swinging wide past Eel Pie Island.

Past the Harrods Depository.

Approaching Wandsworth Bridge.

Iconic of course – Battersea Power Station.

We didn’t notice on our last journey through the city but Lambeth Bridge has the most wonderful statues adorning its, already beautiful, construction.

We had to take this shot.

Two happy souls.

James with a very fast catamaran coming up on his blind side!

The Shard

We’re in the city – St Paul’s becons.

Its getting a bit choppy!

Look out James! another one approaching!

Sandwiched between HMS Belfast and a large restaurant boat as we approach Tower Bridge.

We’re betting closer to Limehouse and the it’s getting even choppier.  James had to negotiate three lots of wakes in succession which took us far too close to the lock entrance and we couldn’t turn fast enough to get downstream in order to approach it from downriver.  So it was “the ferry guide” technique which gave us no room for manoeuvre.  A good job James put his brown pants on this morning! 

Almost safe! Adrian on the bridge taking the pictures.

Nearly there!.

Home!

It was the most amazing experience to have the lock gates open and the water pour in! see the gap in the centre of the gates!

We held onto the ropes as the water cascaded in.

After we rose to the top we glided into the basin and to safety. A great day – we wouldn’t have missed it for the world.

We are now moored up in Limehouse Basin and off for a meal tonight with Adam and Adrian and the St Pancras Cruising club as weather permitting we are hoping to join them for the trip tomorrow to barking Creek – more excitement!

A quick hop to Kingston.

Les and Jaq (nb ‘Valerie) came aboard ‘Chance’ for coffee and cake yesterday morning before we parted company for a while – we’ve had a very short, but lovely, time with them.

Safe trip guys!

Our journey was a short one down to Kingston-upon-Thames.  We passed the lovely house built by the D’Oyly Carte family on their little island at Shepperton.

We took the backwater around Desborough Island, past the imposing Shepperton Manor.  (there are good 24 hour moorings very close to this).

We popped into the very helpful Shepperton marina for fuel………

……… and then back out onto the river – weather wise very much in the doldrums today.  A very strange and gloomy atmosphere, which seemed to promise both rain and sunshine at times, and delivered neither.

We passed some very dilapidated boathouses (this one was still lived in!)…………..

………… and also some very nice ones.

Hampton Court (again!) ………..

……… and further down river we spotted the Gloriana in a backwater at Thames Ditton, after its accident with a bridge very recently.

Finally, we moored up at Kingston in the only space left on the quiet side.  Things seem to have a got a bit busier on the Thames while we’ve been on the River Wey.  The sun finally came out in the late afternoon – a positively Mediterranean feel!

Nightlife is always vibrant in Kingston – this is the party paddle steamer going past us at 11 o’ clock.

We moored at Kingston to be ready for the quick hop to Teddington Lock today to catch the outgoing tide downriver at 1:30’sh and we hope to have an extra passenger on our trip back to Limehouse.

Balmy evening.

Yesterday (Wednesday), after saying good bye to Phillip,Neil and the dogs, Holly and Logan we stayed where we were on “the wall” near Shepperton Lock for the day.

Our planned cleaned down of ‘Chance’ before the weekend coincided with the hottest day of the year so far!  Never the less, we persevered, inside and out, until all was finished and then (deciding not to use our own machine) walked a mile and a half to the laundrette to get the washing out of the way.  The exercise did us good (and was necessary) after the very enjoyable and relaxing time we had with Neil and Phillip over the last few days. 

We’re certainly not complaining about the odd day of hard work, especially when we were looking forward to yesterday evening.  Jaq and Les on nb ‘Valerie’ had invited us for dinner with them and it was a grand end to the day when they arrived and moored next to us on “the wall”.

James, Les and Jaq about to enjoy the most wonderful dinner on board ‘Valerie’ on a lovely balmy evening.

The chattering never stopped, even when the “Phase 10” cards came out.  The rules of the game were soon put to one side as the conversation continued unabated!  Thank you very much Jaq and Les, we had a lovely time with you and it was so good to catch up, and get to know you both, at last.

We found the Wey to get off!

Sorry, it really is the last of the ‘Wey’ puns.  We left Send this morning after a cooked full English breakfast.

We were soon passing through Walsham Flood Gates – the last remaining turf sided lock on the Wey Navigation.

Very happily, we met up with Kathryn on nb ‘Leo No2’ , a fellow blogger and someone we’d been hoping to catch up with at some time.  We had a quick chat before wending our ‘wey’ onwards. Nice to meet you Kathryn, and hope to see you again soon.

James, Philip, Logan and Holly patiently waiting for the lock to fill.

No Neil, it doesn’t look big in those!

Passing under the M25.

‘Chance’ looking good in a lock.

Weybridge New Bridge – it carries an avenue of trees and a dual carriageway across the river.

Waiting to get off the Wey.  Thames Lock was closed while the lock keeper had his lunch. Neil holding Logan, Doug and Phillip holding Holly. 

After the lock keeper had finished his lunch it wasn’t long before we were back onto Old Father Thames and moored up ‘on the wall’ at the confluence of the Wey and the Thames near Shepperton Lock.  And of course it wasn’t long before we were on the rear deck and enjoying a glass of wine and the long awaited sunshine which was promised today.

Neil and Phillip will be leaving us in the morning to get back to their busy lives.  We had a great couple of days with them and we’re very glad they found time to join us.  Logan and Holly have had a ball as well!

What could be better –  good friends, a glass of wine and sunshine on the River Thames!