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St Katherine’s dock

Saturday looked quite promising and everyone was looking forward to a nice pleasant trip up the river. We all left near enough on time and headed out into the estuary, and after a couple of hours tacking up the Thames we had nearly passed Southend Pier. The mobile rang; it was John suggesting we start our engines up otherwise we wouldn’t make it.

 We continued up the river under power for quite a while, but John was still concerned about our progress and asked if I could increase my speed. (Those of you that know me will realise how tight I am with using diesel) I replied that I didn’t want to wind the engine to full throttle, and was answered by John with the words “do you want a tow”? Minutes later we were now still at three quarters throttle and under tow.

Everything seemed to be going so well, until I looked behind us. Steve’s boat was being approached by a police boat, and it was obvious he was about to be boarded. I shouted out to John that Steve was being boarded; John replied “Yes probably speeding”. This did not make me feel to happy as I was under tow, and the police boat was now heading for me.   

As it happened, a very nice police girl boarded my boat and sat in the cockpit asking me questions; like “why are you going to London”, and other hard to answer questions. Eventually, happy we were not about to fly my boat into Canary wharf she left us to continue our voyage.

Now I am not one to start rumours but John didn’t actually get boarded, and if you look carefully at the picture it does appear that John seems to be handing what looks like a twenty pound note to the police officer. What do you make of it?

 As we neared our destination John called to me that he was going to let me go shortly. Seconds later my trusty engine decided that it could no longer carry on as it had drunk every drop of diesel in the tank. Quickly dragging the two spare five litre tanks out and emptying them into the tank, I remembered Pete saying “Great engines those Bukh engines, they are self bleeding”. I was extremely happy that he was right and soon I was chugging away under my own power again.  

As we approached Tower Bridge it was obvious that we were not going to be able to enter the lock for a while, so decided to moor against the large buoys outside and wait. Now I don’t know who is responsible but why anyone would put big tin buoys in front of the lock gates is beyond me. To prevent yourself from being wrecked against the side of these buoys it is advisable to keep your engine in reverse. (See, who said you never learn anything from my pages?)

 At last we were given permission to enter the lock and tie up against our starboard side. From then on it was a piece of cake, and was very soon moored up next to Calviere II. Throughout the trip Sarah was at the helm most of the time, though I took it in to the marina. Sarah and Pete expertly manoeuvred the boat into its berth and made fast before John and Steve, and helped them to birth as they got in.

 After we had all moored up and changed we made our way over Tower Bridge and down the road a little to a Whetherspoons where we had a nice meal. By the time we arrived back to the boats I was already looking forward to hitting the bunk. (I had been on the rum sherbets all day) So leaving them all in John’s boat I headed for my own.

 The following morning was very busy. Sort out the cat, have a shower and shave, pay the marina fees, make a fry-up, eat it, clean up and put away all before Ann and Helen turned up. I believe this would have been too much for a lesser man, but despite the odds I managed to achieve it before they arrived. John turned up bearing a large quantity of diesel which I gratefully accepted, and not long after that Pete arrived also bearing diesel. Needless to say after their visits I was totally fuelled up and ready to go.

 Soon after their arrival Pete, John, well everyone decided to go for a walk to Petticoat lane. I don’t mind markets but I feel I’ve had enough after fifteen minutes, and was grateful to Ann who said she would like a tea.

 After finding a tea house and refreshing ourselves we split up Sarah, and Helen returning to the market, the rest of us took off after Pete who was promising us a nice walk around our nation’s capital. “Let’s go to the Barbican” said Pete in a voice that sounded as if he knew London like the back of his hand. Thinking back we should have known better, as he also had a visitor’s book to London.

 We all followed Pete, as a respected member of the committee and some one we all new could navigate his way around the world. So it was a shame when we got totally lost in the Barbican. Eventually we followed the signs out towards St Paul’s Cathedral, then around to follow the bank along the Thames, stopping off at the Weatherspoons we had visited the night before for a drink. By the time we arrived back at the boats my feet were telling me all about it.

 We were booked to leave at 18.00, and soon before the hour we were called up by the marina on the radio letting us know it was time to head towards the lock. Sarah was now on John’s boat and I had my crew back which consisted of Ann, Helen and Smudge. Malc had boarded Steve’s boat just to make departure a little easier as Steve only had Joe as crew. Leaving the lock was a lot easier than Ann and Helen had expected, and we soon motor-sailing our way down the Thames. 

When Steve emerged he appeared to hit the throttle and soon was just a distant sail in the distance. John and Pete were behind me and we settled down for a gentle cruise down the river. It was quite strange seeing all of the London land marks from the river side, and it didn’t seem long before we were closing on the Thames barrier. After a quick call to the Control we were given the opening they wanted us to go through and we were away. 

 It soon started getting dark and after a quick call to John it was decided that we would catch a mooring at Erith yacht club. Steve was the first to moor up with Calviere II rafting up.

  I went about so as to go up stream to a mooring buoy and was immediately shocked by the strength of the current. I got my new very high powered torch out and instructed my trusty crew to go up forward and get the first buoy we come across, but after realising the strength of the current changed places with Ann so she could bring the boat up to the buoy and I would grab it.

 As we approached a buoy the torch decided that it was time to turn in and changed from being as bright as an arc welder to a match in seconds. Fortunately there were two long ropes hanging from the buoy which were easy to pick up with the boat hook, and Ann’s ability on the helm is really beginning to show as she held the boat stationary as I tied the ropes up.

 After making fast, having an extremely large rum and coke along with something to eat we turned in. We would possibly have stayed up later as John had told us we could have a lay in before leaving the following morning. (That’s if you call 07.00 a lay in) But by the time we had made fast we were all pretty tired.

 The following morning we arose, had breakfast and by the time we had washed up it was time to go.

 It wasn’t long before Steve had disappeared into the future once again and left the three of us to sail down the river. As we approached the mouth of the Thames John’s boat seemed to just shoot off in pursuit of Steve, Pete stayed back with us until we were clear of the Thames and in the estuary.

 It was about now that god turned up and decided we needed a little more wind. (And boy did he let us have it) I was forced in the end to lower the main, and soon after reefed in the genoa completely and used the engine. As we approached Garrison Point it was easily a seven with possible gusts of eight, but then that’s what we have had all summer.

 After picking up the mooring we remained on the boat for a while packing up. (It’s strange how much stuff two women need for one night on a boat) The only down side was after we arrived back at the ATL I attempted to get a donation from a gin palace from Burnham, unfortunately the gentleman on board decided to be as pig ignorant as possible and point blankly refused any donation at all. Now I’m a yachty and don’t know many motor boat people. The ones I do know are very friendly and helpful, and it’s a shame that they get tarred with the same brush as the morons who refuse to pay what amounts to be pennies compared to the amount their diesel bill is, for using an amenity that they would not want to lose.

 On reflection it was a very good trip, however you will need to use an awful lot of fuel in one or possible both directions. I personally don’t like using that amount of fuel, so it won’t be one of my favourite places to go. But without a doubt I will return, possibly biannually.

Eddie Johnson