Onto the Thames

I have to confess that yesterday evening I went for a walk from our mooring down to the Thames.  The purpose of the walk was to get an understanding of what we might expect when exiting through Thames Lock and out onto the Thames.  After our exciting exit from Selby onto the Ouse last year I will confess to being slightly apprehensive.  Well the junction looked like a millpond with a few canoeists paddling around and no sign of a fierce current.

On my return to Waiouru I went down the weed hatch to remove the recently acquired urban jellyfish and then check all the important components in the engine compartment.  The anchor was taken out of storage and fixed to the bow anchor point.  Hopefully we won’t need to use it but better safe than sorry!

This morning we were both up early and got Waiouru ready to move.  After topping up the water tank and disposing of the rubbish we moved into the Gauging Lock around 8.20am.  To our surprise we were joined by a small ‘springer’ narrowboat.  It was a short cruise down to Thames lock where we waited for the lock keeper to arrive.

The couple on the small springer told us the boat was built in the 1950’s and the engine was from a 1969 Norwegian fishing boat.  At 9HP it had insufficient power to get them up the Thames from Limehouse to Teddington.

The lock keepers arrived at 9am and worked us down after taking our license details.

Looking back

I waited to see whether the incoming tide would have any affect on us when we reached the junction.  If there was any effect it must have been minimal as we made the turn without listing.

The junction

We picked up several unwanted urban jellyfish between the gauging lock and the junction.  Despite that were able to make good speed leaving the small springer behind.  I was very focussed on the boat handling between the junction and Teddington Lock as this part of the day was tidal.  Only a couple of photos taken.

I’d love to know what this building is?  It appears to have a large lion on top.  Is the next one a pavilion?

We briefly stopped above Teddington Lock where I removed the remains of five plastic bags from the prop.  It didn’t make Waiouru go any faster, but did removed the shudder from the tiller arm.

Teddington Lock

Talk about living in a goldfish bowl.  This looks like a gazebo for two.

We’ve previously visited Hampton Court so didn’t bother to stop on the paid moorings.  It appears the gates and fence are being refurbished.

We stayed on 1450rpm for most of the journey and Waiouru seemed to fly along.  The canal route planner had calculated we would need to cruise for 10 hours today, but we did the entire trip in just under 7 hours.

At Penton Hook Lock the largest moving vessel we’ve seen to date came out of the lock whilst we were waiting to enter.

The weather today has been great.  Unfortunately the forecast for tomorrow is rain all day…..and we have to move for a family connection.  Oh well, this is England!