Cruisey Thames

This boat came past this morning.  Two things came to mind ...

1.  Did the name make me homesick?  No way, Jose!

2.  I know that they travel with the fenders hanging down because of the locks, but back in Sydney Harbour it was a hanging offence to cruise with fenders down.  As soon as the boat was untied  the fenders were stowed!



We left Hampton Court this morning to continue our cruise up the Thames.  We got a 9.5 out of 10 by the lockie at the first lock!

Once through the lock we filled with water.  What lovely hoses they have on the Thames!  Whilst it was filling, Elaine went off to get some breakfast supplies from the local shop ... she forgot to take off the lifejacket!

There are some truly superb houses down here.  Personally I prefer the smaller open plan style of house rather than the over the top mansions ... wouldn't knock any of them back mind you!

I'm glad we didn't move up next to the big trip boat!  He moved about a fair bit in the lock, I don't think our little sausage fenders would have saved us from being and extra-narrow narrowboat.

This pad had a particularly nice setting ...

Under the Chertsey Bridge we went through the lock before mooring at Laleham for the night ...

We took the boys for a walk up to the village; Elaine is now obsessed with taking pictures of bees...

Bee on Burdock

...right then, I will take pics of hedges!

Plus black and white pics of old barns...

...with a sepia shot to round it off ...

After all that excitement we went to the pub for a swift one.

Back on board the good ship Elaine gave Bombo boy a trim ...

I sat out in the cratch with Sammie ... I had a quick read whilst Sam checked out all the dogs cruising past on the boats.

So what do we think of the Thames so far?  As the title says, it is very cruisey and requires very little effort, especially in the locks.  I'm sure it is a lot more fun after a lot of rain ... talking of which, it rained for about 30 secs today ... reading some of the blogs tonight it looks like our northern brothers copped a few downpours.  Tomorrow is forecast for a dry, sunny and 31 degree day....bring it on!