We had a bit of a drama with Macc yesterday evening. Some time after coming back from his walk he started being sick, and was eventually still trying to be sick when there was nothing left to bring up. We’d just been talking about all the signs along this section of river warning of blue green algae between Sunbury and Teddington, and we knew that he’d been for a paddle at lunchtime, albeit below the lock (so in the tidal section) which obviously sees a lot more movement. We phoned the vet line that comes with our insurance, and they suggested a visit to a vet and gave us the details of one nearby. So we got an Uber to pick us up outside the Anglers pub over the river, and went to the emergency vet centre at East Molesey. By this time Macc looked right as rain, and quite enjoyed his car journey — his first since we brought him home on Valentine’s Day. The vet checked him over, said there were no signs of toxic poisoning, and gave him an anti-sickness jab. And charged us a small fortune. We got an Uber back (the same driver), and while I brought Macc back to the boat, Adrian went to Sainsbury’s to get some chicken, as the vet suggested giving Macc plain chicken and rice for a day or two. Macc was exhausted and went straight to bed, and was his normal self this morning.
Water levels had dropped a bit overnight. I walked with Macc over to the island, where you can see the downstream side of the weir which clearly hasn’t had any water over it for a while.
The man moored ahead of us was keen to get going this morning as he more at St Pancras and wanted to get a big chunk of the journey done today. Consequently, three boats all heading for Brentford were all in Teddington Lock at 9.30. There was a bigger drop down than I remember from previously, apparently because today’s high tide was quite a small one.
When the gates opened, our route out appeared to be blocked by boats waiting to come in, but they moved out of the way so we could pick our way through.
A little further down there was a huge London Fire Brigade boat up on a slipway.
At first it felt as though we were going really slowly, although our GPS said we were doing 4.5mph. By the time we got to Brentford, this was up to very nearly 6mph as the tide was with us by then. One of the most impressive sights on this section of the river is the Star and Garter Home, which is now luxury apartments.
On the approach to Richmond we saw a trip boat, and the Puppet Barge we last saw in Abingdon was moored up.
After Richmond Bridge is the attractive river front.
Then there’s a quick succession of bridges — the railway bridge, Twickenham Bridge, and the Richmond Half Tide Barrier. Our trip was timed so the barrier was raised; at other times you have to go through the lock alongside.
Going downstream, All Saints Church in Isleworth really stands out. It has a very old tower, but the rest of the building dates from 1969.
As we got close to Brentford, a little boat with blue flashing lights came towards our convoy and spoke to each boat in turn. It was a Port of London Harbour Master, telling us there was a river closure up ahead, but that we were fine to go into Brentford as long as we watched out for small craft. Each boat then made the turn into the entrance of the Grand Union.
Going across the river was the only choppy bit, and we bobbed up and down quite a bit. There were lots of people at the big silver monument thing, all getting ready to swim. It seems it was part of the Swim London event, a 10km open water swim.
As we were the third boat in the convoy, we expected to have to hang around while the first two boats went up Thames Lock. But the lock keeper had opened the right hand lock as well, although with big boats moored in front we didn’t know this until he waved at us.
The lock keeper asked if we’d had to punch the tide a bit at the start of the trip — suggesting that if we’d left a bit later we would have done the trip a bit quicker. I’m not sure we were going against the tide, it was probably more like slack water at the start. It had taken about a hour and 20 minutes though, rather than the hour it’s been in the past. The lockie then came up to the Gauging Locks and did the same with the two locks there.
The two boats ahead set off but we stopped on the water point to fill the tank and use the Elsan and bins. It was also an opportunity for Macc to stretch his legs, and sit on the well deck receiving the admiration of passing pedestrians. It was about 12 when we set off again. There was a lot of duck weed in Brentford, but at Clitheroe’s Lock it was far worse. Some of it looked like the really thick azolla weed that gets really thick, and there was also floating pennywort.
Adrian walked to Osterley Lock. The first bridge takes the towpath to the other side, and then there’s the tube on a high bridge.
It was really hard going — weedy, shallow, and lined with boats. At Osterley Lock there was a tyre floating in the water. I managed to fish it out before it caused any problems. It had a rope round it suggesting someone had been using it as a fender; it also looked pretty new, which was a surprise.
We carried on to Hanwell and moored just through Bridge 205A, where we stopped before, because it’s easy to get up to the country park from here. It was 1pm, so we all had lunch and then I took Macc for a walk. I also spoke to the middle boat of our convoy, to agrees to share the Hanwell Locks in the morning.
Today has also been a big day for our friend Simon, who was diagnosed with cancer and brain tumours a few months ago, and who we saw at Crick. He’s been focussed on taking part in the Tour de 4, a cycling event set up by Sir Chris Hoy. It wasn’t possible for Simon to ride an actual bike, but he went and did his bit on a stationary bike, and got a medal from Victoria Pendleton. He’s already raised more than £3000 but his fundraising page is here and more donations are always welcome.
8 miles, 5 locks. (98 miles, 38 locks)