Oldgits Thames Sojourn and get your revenge in first.

[oldgit]

Pleased to say trip from Rochester round to Teddington went very well with no lumpy bits off Sheerness and lots of stuff to make the journey interesting,including a couple of square rigged sailing ships in the estuary and a big warship parked opposite Greenwich Observatory.Also we went under Tower Bridge just as it opened for a sailing barge to pass through.Total time 8 hours(and for the interested 30 Gallons of fuel).Parked over night at the posh new moorings at Teddington,before a crack of lunchtime start to meet Boatone and a splendid lunch provided by Tony and wife Maggie.First night spent at Windsor then Marlow followed by Henley and Sonning,where we had a slap up meal and met forumite Col and wife.Where we discussed the differences between 40a volvos and 40b volvos at great length and the ladies listened absolutely enthralled.
Pix to follow.
Unfortunately although we have have a few photos of this epic to post later,none are of B1 running his boat aground at Henley. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif.All due apparently to the fact that that the peeps that sold him the boat fibbed about how much water it needed to keep it floating. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif.
Sarah T is now safely tucked up in the marina at Bray courtesy of Mike Gates,who at very short notice found us a space and then even gave us a lift to Maidenhead rail station,a very unexpected courtesy which was much appreciated due to our unexpected need to come home for a a day or two.
Boatone has continued up river to annoy Byron and we will be returning to Bray Marina at weekend to finish our downriver trip over a couple of days which may or may not inc Hampton Court and/ St Kats.
Ps.If you ask very nicely B1 may shown you his treasured collection of novelty duck items.
PPs.Any thing that B1 posts later on must be taken with a large lump of salt.

 

[boatone]

I agree almost conclusively.....
Now.....what was the problem ?
Safely moored up to a few feet of Admiral Byrons vast Thameside estate.Pleased to advise that the old [--word removed--] is alive and well and sends his greetings and regards to anyone who will treat same with decorum and sanity......

 

[BrendanS]

Say Hi from me, and tell him he is sorely missed hereabouts!

 

[hlb]

Yep Say hello to Byron. Some one said the other day. Who's Boatone. /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

 

[longjohnsilver]

And hello from me, is he still boating? And also hello to his lovely wife.

 

[ccscott49]

Sya, Hi! From me as well, miss our late night early morning chats!

 

[theguvnor]

Shame if you missed the Henly Festival last weekend - excellent.
The Dunkirk Little Ships we as ever superbly presented - great firework display and the boats that were lit stem to stern wer amazing.
PS I also hit bottom mooring opposite Fawley Court and thats only in a Sunfury !!

 

[apollo]

My two young sons were very disappointed when you two passed us at Cookham on SUnday because you were going soooo slowly an didnt kick up enough wash!

Yes, they were in the water swimming around.

 

[byron]

Yep! Tony his boss + bosun & boat arrived yesterday. Unfortunately we were at panic stations at home as two of the dogs had gone walk-about so I didn't get much time with them.
Hello to all that remember me, say 'thank you' to your God those that don't know me. I still have boats but nothing sea going anymore, my ex-thames conservancy patrol boat, couple of canoes, a vintage speedboat and my wife's personal yacht the picture of which is below.

Sorry, I no longer use this forum so I will not see any replies so just be lucky all of you and may you never see weather heavier than Gale Force 1 moderating.

 

[mainshiptom]

Good to see you again Byron , Go on just stay and make our lives .....



Tom

 

[Col]

Photo of the annual meeting of the Keel scrapers and Prop dingers club (thames branch) with a visitor from the Solent branch keeping his "beady" on procedings

 

[oldgit]

"Keel scrapers and Prop dingers club (thames branch) ". This scurrilous allegation refers to the fact that I could be observed keeling on the towpath at Henley this week ,bashing seven bells out of my propellors with a hammer in order to get them looking propellor shaped once more.

 

[Nauti Fox]

[quotebashing seven bells out of my propellors with a hammer in order to get them looking propellor shaped once more.

[/ QUOTE ]

Why worry? I'm sure you will be "reshaping" them on your expedition to the river festival, which by the way is filling up rapidly so maybe your safe visitor dodging berth might not be available, opening youself to the dangers being boarded and several beers being removed.

 

[oldgit]

Going up on Friday PM to RF..
Came home today from Old Farter Thames.Interesting run back down.Left boat at Bray for couple of days and went back on Friday night.M25 closed off and back roads route took 5 hours to cover distance.Was looking forward to sampling food at Bray Brassiere,but told no book no eat,so wandered round to nearest pub for some nosh.Talk about time warp,late 1950s grub and bit grim.
Bray to Hampton court and then down to Teddington. Using Richmond Lock for the first time we head down river and disaster.Just as we get to the bumpy bit with all the trip boats flying past and the tide is really ripping along,we collect something on both props.Hard astern gets rid of something or other but starboard engine is out of action.Unable to raise leg or anthing.Decide to bounce along as best we can on one engine creeping through all those little arches close to the scary bankside walls.
Visions of tow home and pound notes keep appearing.
Takes what seems about 10 years or more likely actually a hour before Tower Bridge crawls into view and then a quick whizz across to St Kats mooring bouys.Managed to moor up and return aft only to see a piece of 6" rope detach itself,rise to the surface and float smugly away. /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif.Crew not happy about run round to Medway as forcast giving F4-5 from the north.
Was Mill pond all way round. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[Nauti Fox]

[Crew not happy about run round to Medway as forcast giving F4-5 from the north.
Was Mill pond all way round. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

[/ QUOTE ]
Ah, I uttered those imortal words" We'll be fine, trust me," and less than a minute later the engine stopped.

 

[oldgit]

Argh........we are all going to die................

The wife showed her total trust in my capabilties,by dashing below and grabbing her lifejacket.
Suspect she would prefer to have Laurel and Hardy aboard,rather than have to rely on me. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[tcm]

ooh, has he got several wives?