Whilst Tabitha does like posing for photo’s on the roof of the boat, I think if Anna hears “Ah look.. cat’s on a boat, do they not run off?” one more time, the reply may turn from “Of Course, Why not have cats on a boat! It’s the life for them too!” to “Yea, there to keep the rats away.. But as you are still here, they must have missed some”..
And after being banged against that concrete all night long, or when a boat came past, or even if someone moved from the sofa!, I’m glad to be moving off from here today.. I don’t think the paintwork can take another day of being chipped and scratched! ( And yes, river fenders are on the shopping list.. just cant get them yet! )
Dawson is doing a quick run to the shops before we go so we have a few days food on (as it’s a bit of a trek to shops and a post office if we get moored in Hampton Court), and to get some hose-lock connectors. That should allow me to cut a section off the 20meter hose we have which will be more suited to the taps on the Thames and hopefully speed the flow up a bit, plus; with the in-line connectors, still join it back up again if we do need a long hose at any time when we are back on the canals – hopefully, we can still coil it back on the drum with the connector in place – we will see
Were going to take a gentle run to Hampton Court, there is no need to overshoot the mooring today, as we have water, and we can top up again in a few days when we leave to return to Kingston once more for next weekend..
And.. as I’m plodding along I’m being over-taken by everyone.. not just canoes, but day boats and trip boats.. but I don’t mind.. were not in a rush, and if we get there for mid-day, there is a better chance there will be space for us..
We eventually got to Hampton Court, and there was the usual space at the end of the run – near the disabled access ramp. And – there is a reason that this is never used.. there is nothing to tie the boat to.
We could use the tree and wrap a rope round it – but that would make things interesting when accessing the disabled ramp with our lines across the path like a limbo pole.. so let’s not stop here. I had a wander to the other end, and figured we may be able to squeeze into the only other gap on this run.
Whilst pulling out – a small rib with an outboard pulled into the gap we were looking at – bugger! And as we were there, another narrow boat stated they were about to pull out, so a quick reverse back to give them room, a cheery wave thankyou, and were pulled in – just.. a bit of a squeeze between two fibreglass boats.. but were here and staying for a few days. The engine is off again with the solar panels running the washing machine.. I think in the past week, we have only run the engine for 10 hours! which is useful as the Fuel boat with our diesel order wont be down this end of the Thames for a few more days yet!
The step-ladder is re-deployed at the stern again (it was a good idea getting that out of storage last month!) and the kids are splashing about cooling off in the river – and I have work to do and as the WiFi on the new router is still not stable, I’m tied to it with a network cable – so I’m stuck inside wanting to be outside!
Plus, even though the boat is open now, and the cats have free roam, there not going outside yet – it’s a little too hot for them at the moment, and there happy to stay down in the boat where it’s a little cooler..
Needless to say, all the doors are open, and the windows are out to let as much air through the boat as possible – and Shaemus is still trying to find a shady spot outside instead of going to sleep under a solar panel where he normally goes.
