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3 cute bulls

In spite of the proximity to the railway and Stanstead flight path, we enjoyed a quiet night. It was warm and bright this morning and we ate a hearty breakfast on the back deck, whilst chatting to several passing dog walkers. It was a bit sad though, since this is the last day of our trip and whilst it will be good to get home and see eneryone, we are really going to miss waking up in places like this. We set of and reached Feakes Lock after a short distance. Nearby were some young bulls, and just after the lock, these inquisitive beasts looked to be considering whether to take the plunge.

The winner of todays best balcony competition

Passing through Sawbridgeworth, it was har to believe that we had passed the other way over 3 months ago. The place looked much the same although the flowers around Lawrence Moorings were now in full bloom.

The last lock of the trip

 Sawbridgeworth lock

We soon reached the last lock of the trip and Angela with Dan's help, soon closed the gates for the last time and hung up the windlasses. It is only a short run from here back to Kecksy's Farm and our moorings, although we travelled about a mile further, to the nearest winding hole, before returning to the farm.

 Moored back alongside Sid's Alekefic

 We moored up in the usual place, against Sid's boat, which was being painted. When we left it was being painted, and 3 months later, Sid is still hard at it - you can't rush these things. We spent the next couple of hours clearing out the fridge, cupboards etc., and loading everything up into the car.

We have enjoyed the most amazing trip:
  We have travelled approximately 950 miles passing through 504 locks.
  We have met loads of lovely people, many of whom we have stayed in contact with.
  Angela has shared about 150 loaves of bread with thousands of water birds.
  We have seen countless places we have never visited before.
  We banged into lots of different things!
  We have bobbed like a cork on the Trent, the Ouse and the Thames.
  We have proved that we can spend over 100 days in a pencil case.
 
Thank you to all of our followers and other readers, and for all of the comments and messages you have sent us. A special thank you to Lorraine and Andy whose comments we have enjoyed immensely, and Bee who has been an avid follower. Hopefully we will embark on another trip next year, and if we do, we will inflict a new blog upon you.

Goodbye for now

Angela and Graham
   

Almost back at base camp

The Fish and Eels pub at Dobbs Weir

We enjoyed a quiet night and awoke to sunshine and noisy coots. Dan has joined us again for the last few miles, to help with the heavy locks on this stretch. Luis kindly came over this morning to bring a few supplies as there are very few shops anywhere near the river in these parts.

Day boats at Fields Weir Lock

There were quite a few boats around this morning, and they all seeemed intent on setting the locks aginst us! These two wide beam day boats passed us as we were taking on water at Fields Weir and we groaned - following these all the way up the River STort would make for very slow progress. The junction with the Stort is just after the lock and joy of joys, the day boats went straight on towards Hertford.

A cute pig

As we passed Hunsdon, it started to rain, and rapidly the light rain forcast, turned into something of a downpour. Alas, our shiny new canopy couldn't save us from a soaking - there are a succession of low bridges along the stort, and we would be continuously putting it up and taking it down, so soaked we became. What ever happened to August this year? At Parndon Lock, a group of pigs were nearby, and Angela fetched apples for them. Alas, a sign saying PLEASE DO NOT FEED THE PIGS - gloom.

Not a capsize, but lemming like behaviour

 We reached Harlow with rain the still falling and began searching for somewhere to moor up for lunch. We passed the outdoor pursuits centre, and spotted this group of children being instructed in how to hurl themselves into the river. They seemed to be enjoying themselves, but it looked pretty cold.

 A typical mid-summer scene

We managed to find somewhere to stop for some lunch and started to tie up. We then spotted that we were moored against a wasp nest, and so hurriedly untied and moved on! We did find somewhere eventually and assuaged our hunger.

 Tonight's mooring near Harlow

We passed through Harlow and out into the country and managed to find somewhere to moor that wasn't already taken but 'continuous cruisers'. So, we have moored for the last time before we reach home.

All is still

The rain stopped and the sun came out again, making for a lovely evening. With the exception of the nearby railway and the planes from Stanstead, it's really quiet. Tomorrow we set off on the last few miles back to Kecksy's Farm, and the end of our fabulous trip - sigh!

Back to heavy locks

Last night's mooring at Springfield Marina

The river this morning was clam and back to its usual lazy flow, and quite different from last night's torrent. Considering we were between Hackney and Tottenham, it was also very quiet! We set off towards Tottenham in the sunshine, the pace seeming really slow compared to yesterday's roller coaster ride down the Thames.

 Duck! Low flying geese 

 A cormorant sitting on a crane 

 A fish about to meet its maker

Surprisingly, even though we are making our way up through urban North London, there is still plenty of wildlife to be seen. Today we have seen loads of herons, moorhens with chicks, cormorants, swans, ducks, coots and a good many fish in the clear water.

 A small boat with ideas above its station 

 A populat ice cream boat

 The towpath was really busy once we reached Pickett's Lock. There were quite a few runners, walkers and a seemingly incesant procession of cylists. Stepping off the boat onto the towpath to pull the boat in had to be done carefully to avoid being mown down by a fast moving bike.

 5 lads a leaping

We came across these lads near Broxborne. They were climbing onto the rails on a bridge, waiting until a boat got close and then jumping into the river right in front of it. They were pretty good at it, and whilst I slammed Banjo into reverse through fear of drining over them, they actually timed it perfectly and were out of the way just in time.

 Carthanegena lock

 We reached Carthenagena lock by late afternoon, and it was as pretty as ever. This lock is well known for being covered in flowers and the air was full of the scent of the roses.

 Bloomin' lovely 

 Crayfish supper for a young coot

 We moored up at Dobbs Weir, which is one lock short of the junction with the River Stort. We watched (and Angela fed!) a group of coot chicks. One of them had something in its beak which it kept shaking and dropping into the water, before diving and retrieving it again. We think it was a small crayfish, and it was having lots of fun with it. 

A friendly black swan at toight's mooring

 Tomorrow we will turn onto the River Stort and the final stage of our trip.

Fast Flowing Rivers

 Angela preparing to leave Teddington lock, and complying with notice

At 6am we were in the lock waiting to travel the 21 miles from Teddington to Limehouse- lifejackets donned and VHF radio tuned to scan the London VTS, emergency and Limehouse Marina frequencies.

 A cormorant tree in Richmond

 Putney Bridge

The river became wider and choppier as we travelled downstream. After passing the Brentford lock we were then committed to our Limehouse lock exit. Putney Bridge had many buses which stood out in the otherwise grey scenery

 This river is REALLY big!

Battersea Power station diminished by the width of the river as the sky darkened behind us

 MI6 HQ on the South Bank

 Approaching Westminster

 The Houses of Parliament

 Riding the waves as we approach the London Eye

Conditions became more turbulent with waves crashing against the front of the boat and water splashing the stern. The London eye was a dominant landmark which we passes directly underneath.

 Cleopatra's Needle

 St Pauls and the City

 The Millenium Bridge with commuters

 Passing HMS Belfast and feeling very small

 Wow! Tower Bridge looks imposing

 Tower Bridge from below

As we passed under Tower bridge Graham called Limehouse lock to let the keepers know we were approaching. They confirmed they were ready for us.

 A river bus bearing down on us

These huge cats create a wash which Graham turned banjo into to avoid being hit broadside. Even so it felt like we were on a bucking bronco but it was worth it for the fantastic sights.

 Limehouse Marina in sight at last

As we approached limehouse it looked a small entrance from the opposite bank. The lock keepers had it ready for us. Graham had to steer the boat past the lock, then across the river to face the oncoming tide and enter the lock. He executed the move with perfection.

 In Limehouse Lock as it starts to fill

This huge lock was not a problem even though it fills quickly- the last third by the doors opening and water gushing in through the gap.

 Looking back at where we came from

We must have appeared very small as we approached the lock. This view shows the width of the river and the height of the lock

And..... a family of cute brown ducks

We have moored tonight outside Springfield marina in Walthamstow. It rained heavily for the latter part of our journey on the Lee and the Marina staff allowed us to moor here. It continued to rain heavily and we turned on the heating as we were cold and wet. We could feel the boat listing to bank side and when we looked out the river was flooding and running at 4mph. Graham slackened the ropes so we levelled and we were securely moored on rings but the boats opposite were also listing badly due to the height of the water. Many objects floated past and it was worrying for a while but is now gradually reducing in height and speed. What an eventful day!

We reach base camp

A house passes by!

We were woken at 7 today by the sound of strimming - the nearby pub gardeners had arrived in force and kept at it for the next 3 hours!

A cute Ichneumon

Green parrots everywhere

Try as we might, we don't seem able to get a decent photo of a parrot. They keep appearing and squawking, but they datr back into the trees and it's really hard to see a green parrot in a green tree!

 One of the many islands on the Thames

There are loads of small islands along the Thames, which makes for a more interesting journey since you can weave in and out of them and see something different each time you travel along the river.

 A beautiful houseboat

 Hampton Bridge

 Hampton Court

We stopped off at Shepperton Marina to pick up a few things including shiny new lifejackets, ready for tomorrows tidal trip. We passed through Hampton, passing Hampton Court with its elaborate gates and massive grounds.

 Two cute cormorants

 Kingston on Thames

 Swans seem to be thriving

 A sailing boat in Kingston

We have passed loads of sailing clubs today, but virtually nobody has been sailing in spite of a stiff breeze. We did pass a couple of sailing boats in Kingston, but apart from that, nothing. Seems really strange given that it is the school holidays.

 A cute egyption goose

 Fabulous sunset over Teddington Lock

We moored up just upstream of Teddington Lock and went to discuss tomorrow's plans with the lock keeper. We are booked in for an 06:00 departure from the lock for what promises to be the exciting climax of the trip - passing right through the centre of London in our wee boat. Watch this space......