Teddington Lock to Hampton Court

Relieved to off the tidal part of the Thames, we have a lie in on Monday morning and take time to have a look around before we leave ...

A now empty Teddington Lock where yesterday we ended our tidal Thames journey 

 I hope the water never reaches that number 4 let alone number 7 on this scale!!

 Narrowboats No Problem and Rock n Roll seem to be the last to leave the lock moorings ...

 ... seen again here on the left from the footbridge  .. the weir is on the right of the picture ...

 ... I wonder how much of the turbulence these boats get?

 The first poppies I've seen this year (my absolute favourite wild flower) alongside the towpath as we return to RnR to get on our way on the non-tidal Thames.

 We've said cheerio to Sue and Vic on No Problem and will meet up with them again later.

 Under Kingston Bridge ...

... we pass some magnificent houses ...

 ... and ? steam powered ...

 ... paddle boats ...

... and this rather trendy narrowboat 'Ark Nouveau'

 Baby goslings - what huge feet!

Aren't they the most beautiful sight?

 This was the view from the visitor moorings at Hampton Court, looking back the way we'd arrived...

 ... and looking forwards to the very pretty Hampton Bridge
On Tuesday whilst moored here one of our daughter's bestest friend and family came to see us and were treated to a trip up the lock to the water point which they enjoyed.  It was so lovely to see Clare and Andrew with lovely daughters Natalie 4 and Leah about 16 months.  We all had a smile when Natalie asked if she could please have a cup of Earl Grey!!  Thank you all for coming, we hope to see you again at Sharon's next family event!

 Hampton Court moorings from under Hampton Bridge as we returned from collecting water.

 Of course we took a walk around the grounds of Hampton Court ...

Information boards ..

... outside the gate ...

... and that's me, with my hair now cut short ...

... and lovely patterned barley twist chimneys.

Statuary in the ...

... rose garden, I wished ...

... that I could have brought the wonderful fragrances back with me!

We paid a visit to the cafe for coffee and cake ... this raven was waiting for tasty morsels ...

... but this starling hardly waited for the customer to leave the table before he was in there!

A wall dripping with Wisteria ...

... and my favourite tree, especially at this time of year ...

... when it's 'asking' to be peeled to reveal the next layer.

Looking over those rose gardens at the court buildings ...

... we asked one of the gardeners what this building is that is leaning to one side, it was originally one of the towers overlooking the moat, but is now used as their canteen - apparently it is still on the move!

The Mistletoe on this tree has just been trimmed ...

... but I'm not sure what the tree is - anyone know?

Rock n Roll's mooring from Hampton Bridge ...

... and a lovely sail boat moored behind us.

The decorative fencing around the formal gardens are being gilded ...

... it will be a real spectacle when it's finished.

Sue and Vic caught up with us; they've had a rethink about their plans for the summer and we say cheerio to them for a while - perhaps we'll meet up again on the Kennet and Avon canal during late June.  Have a good cruise guys!

Mummy duck looks as if she really is saying 'please feed my family!'

Gilded entrance to the Clore Learning Centre at Hampton Court.

We walked a short distance to Bushey Park - this is the Long Water with the fountains at one end ...

... and the house at the other ... the view from the floor above the main entrance must be amazing!

The deer in the distance very much at home with the public.

Chimney tops!
When we got back to RnR there was a knock on the boat - Ness from NB Balmaha inviting us to spend the evening with them.  Thank you both we had a great evening nattering about boats, cruises past and present and getting to know you both.  Have a great summer Balmaha, we hope to meet up with you again soon.