Tuesday 7 June 2016

Moving on yesterday ...

… from Hampton Court and






… empty moorings

 … those fantastic chimneys
 … and hotel boat Magna Carta by the lock landing.

We ascended Molesey Lock where we could see there was a bit of a kerfuffle, a replica dutch barge was sitting on the water point while two other boats (one being Rock ’n’ Roll) were also waiting to use the services.   The locky was banging on the boat the owner didn’t/wouldn’t show himself.  He (owner) did eventually step out, removed the hose, start his engine and edge out of a now very tight space banging his boat about and made way.  The locky now opened the lock gates and allowed us out to join the queue.
To access the services Kevin had to wind (turn) above the weir and wind once again afterwards to head off up stream.  Meanwhile it was our turn to top-up and empty our tanks.
 An Indian sacred cow(?) on the balcony of Thameside House
… passing  Astoria, Pink Floyd’s recording studio built in 1911


The Thames-Water site had been cleared of moored boats when we left the river in October last year, but despite that and the no-mooring signs the boats are back.
Platt’s Eyot still in the boat building business since 1868




A PT (patrol torpedo) presumably converted to living aboard






As we cruised we saw ...




... this pitiful wooden steamer about to submerge now beyond repair perhaps.





River Canal Rescue vans waiting for call outs on the Thames







… nesting coots















… a cormorant surveying his territory
… a heavy load being towed
… all whilst Molly slept comfy and cool in the shade of the canopy




Caution … men at work!





At Sunbury Lock we catch up with Rock ’n’ Roll






… and they follow us out





You always meet another boat on a narrow cutting, this one in the lock cut



Overtaking on the inside? Not a good idea!


I’ve always loved the way Rock ’n’ Roll ‘sits’ in the water.

We soon reach our destination … visitor moorings at Weybridge







She’s still a lovely looking boat!
A trip on the ferry to Nauticalia to exchange a gas bottle eventually took us to the Thames Court for a drink; we’ll be back again tonight for a meal.

… back at the moorings ...
… the river is still busy with boats of all shapes and sizes.

Another good day on the Thames … love it!

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