Tuesday 27th March, 2012
We both slept rather fitfully but awoke to another beautiful
morning. A mist lingered over the river as the sun rose over the gardens of Hampton
Court Palace. A flight of swans flew along the river and landed next to us in
graceful array, displaying their wonderful aerobatic skills. The line of planes queuing overhead for Heathrow was, by contrast, unremarkable!
Our good friend Simon was on his way to crew for us, but was delayed a while
by an early morning traffic jam nearby, so we went on through Molesey Lock with “Arden” and
Roger and Caroline. On the other side of the lock they went on ahead and we
waved them a cheerful farewell as we waited for Simon to arrive. They were
still debating the colour of their new paintwork; Roger says it may be Great
Western Railway chestnut brown! Robin walked up towards the town to meet Simon
and managed to buy some supplies while he was out.
At 9:40, Simon arrived, full of enthusiasm for the day ahead.
We all had coffee and bacon sandwiches together, then set off west along the Thames. Once more, at
Shepperton, it was strange to experience the transition in a few yards
from the wide expanse of Old Father Thames to the quiet rural canal that is the
Wey Navigation.
Immediately before us was the rather intimidating Thames Lock. The lock keeper was the same chap as last year; he was as helpful and cheerful as before and remembered the boat. We stopped for lunch at New Haw Lock and finally arrived at Pyrford Marina at 3:30. There appeared to be a wedding going on at the pub opposite (what a wonderful day for it!). As the Marina is closed on a Tuesday, we had to find any open slot to moor “Many Meetings” temporarily.
We had tea and buns before locking up “Many Meetings”. Then we walked the mile and a half on the towpath to Byfleet and New Haw Railway Station where we caught the train. Simon and Marion got off at Surbiton to catch the train back to Simon’s car at Hampton Court while Robin continued on to Waterloo, Paddington and thence to Iver and a two mile walk back to the car that we had left at the “Water’s Edge” pub at Packet Boat Marina the previous Saturday. Simon dropped Marion off at home and Robin drove back to the boat and stayed overnight so that he could see the marina people in the morning and book "Many Meetings" in officially.
Immediately before us was the rather intimidating Thames Lock. The lock keeper was the same chap as last year; he was as helpful and cheerful as before and remembered the boat. We stopped for lunch at New Haw Lock and finally arrived at Pyrford Marina at 3:30. There appeared to be a wedding going on at the pub opposite (what a wonderful day for it!). As the Marina is closed on a Tuesday, we had to find any open slot to moor “Many Meetings” temporarily.
We had tea and buns before locking up “Many Meetings”. Then we walked the mile and a half on the towpath to Byfleet and New Haw Railway Station where we caught the train. Simon and Marion got off at Surbiton to catch the train back to Simon’s car at Hampton Court while Robin continued on to Waterloo, Paddington and thence to Iver and a two mile walk back to the car that we had left at the “Water’s Edge” pub at Packet Boat Marina the previous Saturday. Simon dropped Marion off at home and Robin drove back to the boat and stayed overnight so that he could see the marina people in the morning and book "Many Meetings" in officially.
133.4 Hours, 5.4 Hours today, 17.2 Hours this trip.
6 locks and 10 miles today, 22 locks and 32 miles this trip.
Since she was launched, “Many Meetings” has done 133.4
hours, 230 miles and 137 locks.
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