Waiting at Brentford now

I have had an eventful couple of weeks. On return to the boat I had a day with my sister, Pat, who I hadn't seen since way before Christmas! We went to see Eddie the Eagle movie as the weather was iffy. The following day Rose came to meet me and we cruised from Uxbridge to Greenford, partly in heavy rain. We found a nice restaurant in Alperton which did fusion food. I had the best biryani that I have had since I was in India 😀. Luke was now in Paddington Basin ready for the market so I popped over to see him on my journey to Rochester to meet the returning Medway group. The first part of the return journey was to Queenborough where we had a meal in The Flying Dutchman, followed by celebrations on the concrete lighter courtesy of Sue and Richard from Indigo Dream and Frances and Andrew from Doris Katia. No photos but just to say that everybody looked magnificent in their tiaras, medals and false moustaches!!! It was great to catch up with everyone again.

The next day was a 5am start, which as you know is not a part of the day that I normally see. We had a nine hour day ahead of us so we each helmed for about two hours in one hour shifts. My first shift included passing some huge cargo ships so the wash from them was, let's say, lumpy. I think I made that noise one makes when on a roller coaster. My second shift was closer to London and included my third time helming past the Woolwich ferry. (For photos go to the St Pancras Cruising Club Facebook page or Scholar Gypsy blog). Once all boats were back through Bow Locks, we met up for drinks at The Grapes and a meal at the Cruising Association. By the way the Medway trip has articles in both the Canal Boat and Waterways World magazines. Nice photo of Heather's boat in WW, with Sarah and me on the back deck, Heather and Andy symmetrically leaning out at the front 😀

The next day I met up with Pat and Luke at the Paddington Market. Think most of the traders had a reasonable weekend so, hopefully, this could become an annual event. It was good to see boats moored beyond the fan bridge. The following few days were a bit of a trial as not only did we have a lot of rain but also my starter battery failed AND the stern gland was leaking. Bought a new battery and tightened nuts on stern gland. I had planned to meet Luke at Paddington to retrieve my anchor and offload some records so we had to change plans and meet at Alperton. Next day I moored at Bull's Bridge and Pat picked me up so that I could use her Internet (and her bath 😀). It rained all night so the next day the River Brent was in spate. I didn't know that and the volunteer lockies at Hanwell didn't warn me so I shot out of the lock and then had to just ride the flow down to Osterley lock where I was rescued by Denis and Karen and the guy off of Jade. Worse than that, the speed of my passage loosened the pin of another boat, which pulled out got caught in the flow so the second pin failed and the unoccupied boat raced me down the flow. Luckily it came to rest just behind me and the rescuers made her secure, too. I feel for the owner when he or she returns and finds his boat missing and moored a mile further down the stream.

Once secure I hotfooted it to Oxford to meet Heather who had tickets for a concert at Blenheim Palace. The journey from Slough to Oxford was awful. The train was packed and the air con wasn't working! Bus to the Palace and by now the weather had cheered up and Ennio Morricone and his 200 strong orchestra were good, as was the food from the festival stands and the glass of prosecco that we thought was fitting for the evening (Thanks Heather). We had hoped to get the s3 bus back to Oxford but 100+ people trying to get onto one bus was never going to work so three of us hailed a taxi which got us back just in time for our train. Pat and Ron (above and beyond the call of duty) met me at Slough and dropped me back to the boat, even walking the half mile along the towpath to ensure I got back safely. Of course they had to retrace their steps back to their car, so once again, many many many thanks.

The next day I was due to go out onto the Thames but I rang the lock keeper on the River Wey who told me the whole river was in flood so I have to hang fire. My crew (Christine) was informed and she can't make it now until next Thursday, so I Cruised down to Brentford sharing locks with Jane and John on Corniche and I am now immersing myself in Brentford life. I have been to the Watermans Art Centre, the Sunday Market and Isleworth so far. At Watermans I went to see "Brand New Testament", a satirical look at our belief system. The screening was followed by drinks and nibbles which was a lovely surprise. There was a quiz about French cinema and I only knew the answer to one question, who played Amelie?

So next time I post I expect to be on the Wey. Let's hope the rain dissipates as I am bored with it!