The weather I mean; at least there was no thunderstorm and wasn't as windy as had been forecast, thank goodness! In fact apart from a couple of showers, and a couple of stomach (mine) dropping wakes from the trip boats it really was a great day! Our trip today took us out of Limehouse Basin onto the Tidal Thames, out through the Thames Barrier and along past the Woolwich Ferry where we wind (turn) and return to Limehouse - there are 24 boats in the convoy!
Friday afternoon; George's sister Diane and her hubby Paul have joined us for the weekend ...
... and we go for a walk around Limehouse basin before the briefing by Andrew Phasey of the St Pancras Cruising Club who has arranged this cruising weekend of the Tidal Thames.
We thought our departure time was 8 am but learned at the briefing that we were to be in the lock by 05:40 latest! We went to bed strung out like a high wire, the stress levels were showing!
We were up at 4 am washed, dressed and breakfasted, boat cabin tidied and are now ready to rock n roll at 05:35.
Boats now going into the lock, we're the last of the three for this first locking ...
... I've held onto the rope around the wire in the lock as we descend to river level and once the gates opened moved forward to tie onto the outer pontoon - the river is flowing past our bows. The second locking has now come down and is tied to the inner pontoon ...
... here comes the third locking, they go straight out onto the tidal Thames - they are the leaders; we follow, outer boat on the outer pontoon first and all the rest follow .... here we go!
Not too bad as we turn left passing Canary Wharf down to the corner opposite the water-bus stop where we can see properly to cross the river - on the water you travel on the righthand side (starboard).
The Grapes pub where reputedly Charles Dickens often visited to write.
The Skipper!
Nearly 06:30 Nessa and Mo and Roger (probably still a bit wet) and Babs on Narrowboat Balmaha in front of us ...
... and Colin and Di on NB Dragonfly behind us.
5 minutes to 7 we pass by the Royal Naval College at Greenwich ...
... and a few minutes later we have NB Balmaha and the 02 arena in sight.
Big sailing ship in the dry dock ...
... half a ship is better than none????
07:25 and the Thames Barrier is in sight; the weather has deteriorated, we've just had a very sharp shower but thankfully it does look a bit brighter over there ...
... can you see which ones we will pass through?
Following Balmaha through ...
... and Dragonfly following us ...
... looking back at the following boats having a good time dancing with a car ferry!
They're safely through - a bit scary that!
Di and Colin on NB Dragonfly at 8 am and we're halfway through today's cruise, the weather is brightening up and so are the smiles as we wait around for the other 18 boats to catch us up.
We're in the direct flypath into London's Heathrow Airport and they're certainly being kept busy this morning.
08:20 we start to turn for the cruise back to Limehouse ...
... as the ones following start to arrive at the turning point - this is NB No Problem - Sue, Vic, Wendy, Danny, Keira and Niamh
... here come the rest of the convoy ...
... and off we go ...
... nearly a mile of narrowboats!
Molly has decided that it's all too much for her and has disappeared under the covers!
... dancing with the ferry again ...
... and back through the barriers ...
... past the very pretty buildings at 02 arena ...
... and the lighthouse and two lighthouse ships ...
... and past West India Docks.
These youngsters look very perplexed - I think the guy second from the right is saying "is it a jelly mold?"
Unusual houses here ...
... and these impressive apartments are built on stilts - hope they're safe!
There's the gherkin as we head back towards Canary Wharf ...
... and the Metropolitan River Police too ...
... and the Shard!!
We've come to the end of the days cruise and NB Balmaha starts her turn into Limehouse Lock ...
... as NB No Problem arrives ...
Nearly 13:15 and we're in the lock ...
Balmaha and Dragonfly alongside us ..
Molly will be glad to get onto dry land - she hasn't had a pee since 05:15 this morning!
rising in the lock ...
... and into the basin - completely and utterly shattered, relieved to be back safe, euphoric that we've done it! A stiff drink, a meal at the cruising club and an early night is called for. All in all a great day!
(If anyone from the boats who accompanied us on this weekend would like any pictures, please contact me via the blog.)
Great Photos
ReplyDeleteRichard
nb Indigo Dream
Very nice pictures.
ReplyDeleteThe sailing ship in drydock was of course a Thames barge worked by a crew not much bigger than a narrowboats. If interested about an early example of liveaboard life on one of those read "June of Rochester"
The plane would be heading for/from Docklands airport more likely.
Roger (boating wannabe).
http://picasaweb.google.com/Fulbourne/LeavingLimehouseRocknRoll#slideshow has a few pictures of leaving Limehouse on Sunday for Teddington. Just caught the wash of a passing boat side-on
ReplyDeleteRegards
PeterScott on Fulbourne
Richard, thanks for the comments.
ReplyDeleteRoger, thanks for the information regarding the Thames Barge in the dry dock - very interesting.
Peter, thanks for that I'll take a look, we got hit broadside by the wash of a clipper, read blog today for me details. It was good to get together and do this trip. Thank you.
Hi again Peter - message from Sue (No Problem) - she has visited your gallery this morning and says that it's fantastic - great pictures!
ReplyDelete