Shangri-La

As we left the Tideway yesterday, the lock keeper at Teddington said that after the excitement and challenges of  navigating the Thames through London, what followed upstream was like entering Shrangri-La! He was right, and today's cruise was wonderfully relaxing in the sunshine.


Passing strange houseboats in Kingston upon Thames

We passed through Kingston upon Thames without incident - the banks were busy with shoppers and pub goers but the river was pretty quiet. Then we turned the corner and were greeted by the sight of loads of small sailing boats in a race, zig zagging across the river as they tacked upstream.

And thay have right of way!

We weaved our way through the good natured sailors without sinking anyone, but we got very close to one or two!

We strayed onto the Mississippi briefly

It was really hot this afternoon, and we ushered the dogs below, out of the sun. We stayed on deck and have the scorched skin to prove it. We passed Hamton Court Palace before reaching our first 'normal' Thames lock.

Hampton Court Palace

Ah, Thames locks are lovely - automatic and with helpful lock keepers

Compared with the heavy locks of the river Lee, the Thames locks and their keepers make for a far more relaxing experience. You just have to glide in, place your ropes around the bollards and wait for the water to rise or fall before setting off again.

Typical stretch of river

The river remained quiet all afternoon, apart from another sailing race to make our way through and loads of canoists and small motor boats. The last Thames lock we encountered took a little longer that the others. As we waited for the boats coming downstream to leave the lock, we could see one was broadside across the lock. He had an engine failure and after unsuccessful efforts to re-start it, he was dragged out of the lock and we then entered. You find yourself in these large locks with a wide variety of different boats which on this occasion included a large trip boat full of German tourists.



Crowded Sunbury lock

After another few miles, we reached the junction with the river Wey, and everything changed. Suddenly we were back on a narrow river and immediately were into a stop lock used to adjust the levels between the Thames and the first lock on the Wey.

Waiting for a boat to leave before we enter the first river Wey lock

While we waited for the water levels to equalise, Angela emptied the dogs who had been extremely patient all afternoon. Once in the lock and after it filled, we sorted out the paperwork with the lock keeper and paid for our licence - £75 for the week. Gulp! It had better be good down here!

Tonight's mooring in New Haw