Time to move on.. our ‘slight’ overstay on this 24 hour mooring is up – and I’m fed up with the concrete taking chunks out of my paintwork (must remember to get some descent large fenders when I can).. so onto Hampton Court we go – hopefully there will be a spot for us there..
Reasonable run – not a lot of boats out this morning.. 2,000 revs on the engine.. and a cruising speed of 4.5mph – so the boat doesn’t run too bad on rivers. I need to get moored up so I can get on with work – so lets hope there’s a spot free 🙂 ( E-mailed work and let them know that the Thames is all 24 hour visitor spots.. so each morning I will be taking an early “lunch break” to move the boat).
Arrived at the mooring.. things not looking to good.. but found a spot at the end of the run – on the bend of the concrete (so that’s why it was free 🙂 ) just long enough to fit the boat in.. but – pulling straight in facing upstream would leave the stern out in the river.. and not too easy to get on and off.. so a quick 180 and pull in facing downstream.. with the stern in and the bow out. (hopefully, we don’t get a tonne of crap around the tiller by the morning – must remember to check that!)
It does make a change not having to go miles just to find a winding hole (a bit of a canal wide enough to turn a 62ft boat in).. on the Thames.. check up and downstream, ensure its clear.. signal your intentions just in case ( 4 short followed by 2 short blasts on the horn – “I’m turning completely around to port” ) and then pull in with the wind and crew helping 🙂
So were here for today.. I’m working.. the crews off to have a look around.. you cant come to Hampton Court without having an ice-cream on the bridge now can you!
And whilst they were out.. ( CC will be upset she missed these ) – a few residents came past..
Our run for today…