Time to do a quick shuffle from Teddington. We have been here 2 days, yesterday so that I can get caught up on work as I’ve been out of it for 2 weeks, and there will be things to catch up on.
Still ended up not being able to get hold of a lock keeper to pay any monies to, and there are no signs detailing a web site to use (more on this later!) so were moving on having had 2 nights free (it seems). And with that weir, it’s a little noisy when the tide’s out 😀 It seems each time the tide comes in, the weir has less to drop so makes less noise.
Now, what with the rain we have had, the Thames was OK to move on last night – today, yellow boards a-plenty.. but this stretch is not red – yet! Hopefully, the flow will not be too strong, and we can do the required water run that we need to do today ready for the weekend.
Set off from Teddington, flow not too bad currently and certainly manageable..
On towards Kingston bridge..
Now.. were going to pull in at the Hampton Court side, after Kingston Bridge just to have a look at the signs there as we need to come back here, and I want to know how long we can stay for..
So that’s one question answered.. 1 day free, with the option of a further 4 days at £8 a day.. so £32 to stay here for 5 days. That being the case, as we need to be here until the Bank Holiday (past it would have been nice, but hey ho..) were going to move on to Molesey Lock to get water, and then go back to Hampton Court (if there is space) and stay there for 2 nights, from there, move back to Kingston.
Now.. there may be space on the Kingston side, a bit further down – but not for me to worry about today!
And I’m pretty sure the last time we came through, that entire stretch of back was “No Mooring”.. it may still be, but some boats are there today!
Round and past Ravens Ait Island, with the water flows starting to get stronger now, as were down to chugging along against the flow at 2mph!
On past Thames Ditton Marina
And the storage unit next to the Mini dealership, we have some things we need to get from there later in the week! 😀
And onto Hampton Court Bridge with the flows starting to ease, but not a lot!
OK. So the lock is on self service, so time to drop off CC to go push some buttons for us, and the water flow is not making it easy to pull in, let alone turn around which I’m going to need to do soon…
EA have decided to change the water supply points and fitted these anti-backflow devices to the taps in an effort to stop river or stale water going back into the water supply system. The hose and tap that was here before was awesome – filled an empty water tank in 15 minutes.. were here an hour, and its only just filled it from 1/2 full. So a real improvement there in the service EA!
Now, Anna and CC went back to the lock to get it ready for us whilst I turn the boat – which was not easy.. using the flow of the water heading to the weir, point the bow in, let the flow take it round and reverse.. reverse.. REVERSE… and only just cleared the weir post with the bow fender! Christ that waters deceptively fast – and this is just a yellow board.. how bad is the flow when the Red’s come out! Plus, as I have not sorted the bow thruster out yet.. I’m starting to wish I had as that would have come in very handy just then!
On into the lock and out the other side and on towards the mooring.. with another turn around needed so that the bow is facing up-stream to the rudder and prop don’t get fowled with junk over the next few days.. Flow still not easing, so this is going to need a lot of room. And with 3 canoe’s on the starboard side, and 2 skulls with 4 rowers in each coming towards me along with their support launch – time to try this without killing anyone or sinking the boat!
Eventually, we were turned around and facing into the mooring – but it took a lot of revs, and about 3 boat lengths of drift to fight the flow and patience – there was about 50 meters where we were side onto the flow and still trying to turn – but now were facing upstream with the engine at 1,300 revs.. were just about staying put against the flow and sliding sideways into the mooring.
OK. Enough for today, that run was knackering, and one I would prefer not to do again. It is certainly going to make for an interesting GPS track 🙂 Now – to pay for 1 extra night tonight!
