The Thames today

[mlines]

After hooling it around Poole the other week and posting pictures on the Mobo forum I thought I would post up some more sedate pictures from today on the Thames.

If the lock-keeper at Sonning Lock wonders why his upstream lock gate walkway is peeled back at 90 degrees to what it was before he went to lunch then he should contact the owners of "Our World", the boat behind us in these pictures. Shortly after commenting on how close we were to his boat in the lock, he then proceeded to rip back the railing on his exit. He just carried on up the river without stopping. It was most amusing the way he was tannoying "orders" to his wife at the front of the boat. If I used a loudspeaker to pass orders to my wife it would have been quickly inserted somewhere where the sun doesn't shine.

 

[nickcred]

Perfect Days

Great Pictures, unfortunately only had my blackberry with me and the pics are poor quality, so after seeing your perfect shots. I will err keep them to myself lol.

I think Our World does or used to berth at Thames and Kennet Marina at Reading, if the same a beautiful boat that I admired more than once when we visited for fuel or an overnight.

Was glorious on the River this weekend, a lot of standing off at the locks just to make things a little more challenging with a single engined stern drive that does not like to sit and wait but great weather, and most people with big smiles and friendly waves.

Please gods of the weather and river more of the same.

Hope to be down in Poole in a few weeks playing with the new to me speedboat and looking forward to a summer of both worlds sea on the retro speedy thing and the so peaceful Thames on the good old trusty Birchwood

 

[Captain Coochie]

Ha ha looks like you had a great day and the panto of the captain blaming everyone else for his mistakes That always makes me giggle but ive yet to see one get told to f off

I need to get a towbar on the van before i can take the runabout out again . Poole sounds fun .

 

[No Regrets]

Nice one!

Love the Mini-skippers T Shirt!

 

[nickcred]

Then Again

Ha ha looks like you had a great day and the panto of the captain blaming everyone else for his mistakes That always makes me giggle but ive yet to see one get told to f off

Lol I remember last season when the owner of "Fat Geezer" gave a right pompous idiot on a Antaris day boat a proper B*ll*cking after he bumped their boat in the lock and did not even say sorry. It carried on through the lock and down river with both boats alongside each other shouting at each other. Have to say the owner of Fat Geezer was completely in the right and the rudeness and arrogance of the other err.....skipper beggered belief. Me, my sons and even my wife were definate supporters and fans of Fat Geezer and crew.

Never seen the other boat again since thankfully not the nicest of chaps it seemed

 

[Chris_d]

Great pics, having done Poole as well the Thames is just so laid back isn't it

Umm... "Our World" does have a bit of a reputation, i'll say no more.

 

[apollo]

Ah but they and the other boat in the photos that was in front of you are members of the fenders up cruising club and hence "experts" that we are supposed to look up to and doff our caps!
They all passed me at Henley and looked away in disgust before you saw them.
I find it all very sad.....

 

[Captain Coochie]

Does doffing your cap include falling over drunk while wearing it ?

 

[mlines]

the fenders up cruising club QUOTE]

That explains the frantic lifting of fenders after each lock!

They were not that professional however based on the moaning about the lock keeper going to lunch, the stabbing of random buttons on the lock machinery to get it to work and the blocking of the river at 90 degrees to the stream at Sonning Bridge whilst waiting to get through (so much for the lots of loud bowthruster noises).

 

[apollo]

the stabbing of random buttons on the lock machinery to get it to work and the blocking of the river at 90 degrees to the stream at Sonning Bridge whilst waiting to get through (so much for the lots of loud bowthruster noises).

praps the EA need to provide the Lock instructions in bigger print?

 

[byron]

I'm afraid the owner of "Our World" is notorious for being a pompous pudding. What makes it worse is he is totally devoid of a sense of humour.

 

[boatone]

praps the EA need to provide the Lock instructions in bigger print?

YAWN......zzzzzzzz.......zzzzzzz

 

[apollo]

YAWN......zzzzzzzz.......zzzzzzz

Yeah thats is also a problem with old farts dropping off to sleep all the time...

 

[apollo]

I'm afraid the owner of "Our World" is notorious for being a pompous pudding. What makes it worse is he is totally devoid of a sense of humour.

ROFLMHO!!!!

 

[DWT]

Our World is still based at T&K. I seem to recall they were featured in MBM some while ago when they upgraded to the current boat. It was a share between father and son. It's the son who comes across as a bit pompous, but I don't know the guy so it would be wrong of me to judge him. I have heard other stories though and what is the problem with getting close to him in a lock?

It takes all sorts I suppose, but boating is supposed to be fun.

 

[byron]

It is a shared boat, I don't know the Son but have known the Father many years, perhaps it's a matter of "Like Father Like Son".

I too could relate many stories but would hesitate to do so here

 

[apollo]

Unlike the fender lifters who were sulking that day, we like you were enjoying ourselves....

As you can see, my sons had their hands full....

 

[No Regrets]

Jeez, thats a fair old handfull!!

 

[bradtarga34]

Wow, looks stunning up there! We are having our first proper holiday up river this year, previously the furthest we have been is Henley. Only another 2 weeks or so to go, fngers crossed for some good weather. Any reccomendations for moorings and good pubs/ eating establishments gratefully received. I lost my burgee recently so will have to get another from HLB so you can spot us and feel free to drop in, the bar on board is quite comprehensive, I even have an icemaker now.

 

[bradtarga34]

I've been away for a few days, but driving over Walton bridge today I was surprised how brown the water looked, especially as there has been so little rainfall. Anyone else notice this?