We took this photo from our mooring near Runnymede early this morning to remind ourselves in the future just how fantastic it can be on the Thames.
Opposite our mooring was a very smart “gin palace” with the best boat name we’ve seen for long time!
On our short journey today we met nb ‘Armadillo’, with fellow bloggers Graham and Jill on board, coming in the opposite direction. There was only time for a quick ‘hello’ but it was good to see them.
We stopped briefly in Staines for some supplies – this clever sculpture in the shopping centre remembers the factory in the town which produced the worlds first lino in 1864.
Both locks on our short, 3 mile, journey today were huge and we felt very small compared to the safe little single locks we have on the canal. Immediately after this lock we turned into Penton Hook marina where we were scheduled to meet up with friends Jan and Peter, who live close to us in West Sussex, on their very smart cruiser ‘Katootje’.
Bless them, they had lunch ready for us and,of course, copious amounts of wine! Peter, Doug and James are trying hard to deal with the wine.
Jan, Peter and Doug still trying to cope with the wine!
After lunch we all left the palatial confines of ‘ Katootje’ and headed to ‘Chance’, which was moored on the visitors pontoon, for coffee and liqueurs. On the way we had to try and rescue two signets caught behind a small floating boom - but the parents thought differently!
Peter, Jan and Doug enjoying liquorish liqueur and sloe gin on board ‘Chance’.
We might have stayed the night on our mooring had our nerves been able to stand it but the fast flowing river coming in on our right was a major problem for some boats leaving the marina entrance (ahead of us). Just ten minutes after we got there a narrow boat, with a novice helmsman, was pushed right into the side of us by the force of the current and then collided with a moored cruiser behind us! (No great damage to us but we’re not so sure about the cruiser!)
Anyway, we had a absolutely brilliant time with Jan and Peter aboard their lovely boat. Thanks so much for the wonderful hospitality both of you.
Due to the strong river current we decided to go into the marina proper and wind beside ‘Katootje’ rather than risk an unsafe manoeuvre from our pontoon.
Two minutes down the river and we found some good moorings at Laleham. Another great day!
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