This weekend...

[No Regrets]

Going to Thames and Kennett to wash down the old boat which is at the brokers, and wait for some friends to arrive on Sunday morning.

We plan to set sail upstream at 10:00 hrs /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

So if anybody sees Shamby, feel free to wave!

Have a nice weekend either way...

 

[DWT]

We are heading down there tonight. Probably stay in the marina and then head upstream Sunday morning to look at the festival site. Or maybe we shall go downstream to the islands at Shiplake - decisions, decisions!

 

[Sammo]

Got down to South Stoke yesterday (Sat) with swmbo….had a coffee and a natter with Byron while he waited to Welcome the boats from “Osney” club, who were there for the weekend…..left them to do a bit of work on the boat….
Noticed a lot of Freemans coming past all morning but thought nothing of it ….by midday the river had come alive ….`The Beetle and Wedge` over the river was doing a wedding and everyone was there in their Sunday best…..a couple had launched a canoe from the slipway nearby then the man spent a lot of time rubbing sunblock onto his bikini clad daughter…..er, well I think it was his daughter…then they paddled off to the north…….
Many narrowboats of all shapes and sizes came past …most with a wave and we always waved back…after a furtive glance to see if Byron was looking…..
Meanwhile the traffic was increasing ….lots of slipper launches which are always nice to see…..then a gem ….a lovely wooden period rowing boat with a bloke sprawled on the bench seat at the back ,fast asleep while his misses rowed him slowly past up the middle of the river….
Some big hire boats came past with kids hanging off them everywhere like bunting…nice to see they were getting good weather for their holiday …..A mirror sailing dingy launched from the slip and slid past us…..the skipper searching for any wind he could find and the three year old lad in the bows grinning out from under his lifejacket…..enjoying every minute out there with his granddad……
A group of lads were swimming off the slip and a couple of boats had moored to the bank further up and made for the pub in the village.
Moored next to us is a wooden ex RN “three in one whaler” that has been completely restored by the owner and is in beautiful condition……suddenly a banyan party from the village appeared and piling into the whaler with lots of beer and food gave us a wave, started the engine and even after they had disappeared over the horizon we could still hear them laughing and chattering away…..
By this time I was getting stir crazy so starting the engine and clearing away we decided to have a run up the river….
As we motored up towards the boatyard at Moulsford we realised where the Freemans were going ….there was an infestation of them moored on both sides of the river with a ferry running from the boatyard……It was a grand sight to see and there must have been at least 30 of them all setting up tables and sun brollys and enjoying the sun….
The temperature in the 30s and loads of small boats out on the water we felt like the pied piper as we slowly went up through the Rally …….coming past us the other way we had `Three men in a boat` with the framing over their heads and all the sleeping gear in the stern…….
The houses fronting on this stretch are best seen from the river and we admired the variety in the the designs and the well kept gardens …..also Brunels Railway bridge over the river is best seen from the water…
Then as we were making the turn to return to our moorings I saw what for me was the highlight of the afternoon ….a 30ft ish slipper launch under steam powering silently past us without a ripple…..an amazing sight …an amazing boat….
It was the first time swmbo has been out on the boat since it went into refit and she loved it …..
Now she is talking carpets and curtains and `the next time`


..

 

[byron]

You waved to a NB?
Go stand in the corner of the paddock where the stream is, in shorts and no shirt you will be sure to attract the attention of the horse flies that breed there.

 

[No Regrets]

T'was indeed a lovely day,despite my friend taking the helm at a lock, and parking sideways..... /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

I must get some stickers to cover the Boats name...

'Nose her in real slow, then reverse on full lock for a few seconds to pull the stern into the bank... I said.

NOT Nose her in to ten feet OFF the bank, the reverse on the WRONG lock, bash her stern on the moorings a couple of times and park with the bows facing the opposite bank.... /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

Anyway....we got home undamaged, and after a fantastic day meeting what seem like old friends along the way! /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

 

[Gavi]

I'd have liked to have seen the gathering of Freemans - it was for their 50th anniversary. Instead, as on B1's post, I went to see my dear old Mum. On the bright side, she lives in Cheshire and a Staines mate was at Oulton Park racing his Chevron B8 in the Historics meeting.

It would have been rude not to go and give support:

This car was built in the same year as me. The one below even predates my Mum:

 

[DWT]

Perfect weekend with some proper weather at last.

Headed upstream, picking up a friend at Whitchurch. Lunch at Beale, picked up more friends at Goring and headed up to Moulsford. Turned round just past Byron's. Lots going on.

Squeezed into a lovely spot by the Alpacas at Whitchurch for Sunday night. Beautiful, peaceful night, only disturbed by one boat (I think) buzzing up and down during the night making quite a wash.

Took our daughter and her friend down to the road this morning to be collected for a trip to Thorpe Park. One of the girls at the farm introduced us to a new born Alpaca.

Leisurely morning on our own for once. Quite busy heading downstream, but great watching the crowds leaving the rock festival site with the trip boats working hard as ferries.

We have been talking about having a break from boating for a few years. This morning my wife announced that there is no way we are selling the boat - unless it is to buy a newer or bigger one! I hope Dominic at Bray is not looking in!

 

[ThreeSummers]

Gavi, what model Bentley is that?

Looks very much like the one my father-in-law owns, a 3-litre. 1921 chassis number 24 (or it could be 1924, chassis number 21). I can never remember which way 'round.

 

[Gavi]

Sorry, I don't know. She just happened to be in the weigh-in area and I couldn't resist a peak at the engine...