Rediscovery Cruise: Day 16

 We set off in more bright sunshine at about 8.45, and saw ourselves through Shepperton Lock.  Rather than take the direct but dull Desborough Cut, we went round the island where there’s much more to look at.  Walton Bridge still feels new, and is quite impressive.

Sunbury Lock was on self service, but was full.  We waited for boats behind us, and soon there were four going down.  Hampton has a very attractive river side, with Garrick’s Temple, and Dave Gilmour’s Astoria floating recording studio.  Once again there was a man washing the windows; I wonder if they’re done every day.

At Molesey Lock, we joined a boat which was delighted to find that we were planning to go to Brentford.  They’d been having trouble getting hold of CRT to book Thames Lock, but knew that because we had a booking there would definitely be someone there to see all of us through.  Hampton Court always looks great from the river.

The next section was very windy, and at times the river was quite choppy.  But we made it through Kingston and moored up at Teddington at about 12.15.  We tried to talk to the lock keeper there to check our timings, but it’s impossible because of Covid measures.  Instead, we went and had a nice lunch at The Anglers (but better than last night’s dinner at Thames Court) and did a bit of top-up shopping at a nearby Sainsbury Local.  We then had a couple of hours to wait until the right tide time for the tidal section.  It was 3.45 when we headed to the lock, with Jan and John that we met earlier, and Gareth on another boat that also wanted to do the journey.  It took ages to get through, in spite of the fact that the difference in water levels was negligible.  We were put in the huge lock, which has gates half way along.

At first it felt as if we were struggling to move forward, then as the tide started to fall we sped along at almost 6mph.  Turning the corner towards Richmond there’s a great view of the Star and Garter home for disabled servicemen.

In Richmond itself, there were signs that it had been a particularly high tide, as roads were covered with water, and pubs were sweeping water from their gardens.  The path along the river was under water, with one guy picking up his bike and carrying it.

As expected, the half tide barrier was up, so we could go straight through the bridge.

When we turned the corner towards Brentford, the wind really got up.  The river is wide here and there were proper waves on the water.

The entrance to the Grand Union is not well marked.  We were looking out for a big silver sculpture and easily spotted it, but we couldn’t remember which side of it we were supposed to aim.  We made the turn and were soon on calmer waters and into Thames Lock.  The rise to the semi-tidal waters above was minimal.

The next section is always longer than I expect, with a few bridges.  Then at the Brentford Gauging Lock Adrian got off to press the buttons.  Once up the lock we were in Brentford Basin.

There were no moorings in the basin, so we carried on round the corner and have stopped opposite the GSK building.  It won’t be the quietest mooring of the trip, but it’s only for one night.  Jan and John have stopped right behind us.

17 miles, 6 locks.  (234 miles, 113 locks)

Home Counties Cruise: Day 17

With a very relaxed agenda for the day, we were in no rush to get going this morning.  We started a wash load before setting off, and pulled away from the deserted Hampton Court moorings at 9.15am.  At Thames Ditton Island, someone was moving house.  The removal van was parked on the opposite side of the river, and the guys were going back and forth in a boat loaded with household goods.

We stopped on the John Lewis moorings at Kingston, just managing to tuck in behind someone else.  This time we knew where Waitrose was, so there was no head scratching or frustrated wandering.  Having done a top up shop, we set off again, quickly arriving at Teddington Lock, where we had virtually the entire length of moorings to choose from.  I went to see the lock keeper to confirm the tide of our departure on the tidal Thames down to Brentford.  High water was at 1450, so he suggested we leave half an hour before.  While we waited, we both did some work, we had lunch, and then I walked down past the lock to find the obelisk which marks the river boundary between the Port of London and the Thames Conservancy (now the Environment Agency).  It could do with someone having a go at it with some weed killer.

Our departure from Teddington was a little later than planned as a couple of boats came up the lock.  The drop down was only about a foot and a half, and for the first part of the trip, around high water, there was no discernable flow in either direction.

We passed Eel Pie Island and Ham House, while the Star and Garter Home for Disable Servicemen is prominent on the hill ahead.

The conditions were ideal -- sunny, warm, and with very little wind.  Richmond was fairly busy on the waterside, as we passed under Richmond Bridge.

The Richmond half tide barrier was up, so we could go avoid having to use the lock alongside.

Soon the office blocks of Brentford came into view in the distance.  Then it was a matter of looking out for the entrance to the Grand Union Canal at Brentford.  Fortunately we knew what we were looking for -- a big silver sculpture.  It's just as well it's big, because the CRT sign isn't.

The turn in was a lot easier than I expected.  I'd thought the tide might take up sideways as we turned, but in fact there wasn't too much effect at all.  We were now on new waters again, as we've never done the GU between Brentford and Bull's Bridge.  The lock keeper at Thames Lock was waiting for us.

The rise at Thames Lock took us by surprise.  We must have gone up at least three inches, possibly four.  The next section is fairly twisty, and lined with large boats and houseboats.  Soon we arrived at the Gauging Locks.  A big black widebeam was already on the lock landing and took one lock, while Adrian went and pressed the buttons for the lock alongside.  Above the lock the visitor moorings were full, with quite a few boats breasted up.  So we moored alongside another boat.  Fortunately the side doors are on the outside, so we have a view.

Tomorrow we start heading up the Grand Union bound for base.

10 miles, 3 locks.  (213 miles, 130 locks)