Up early as usual - there was work to do anyway. I needed to fit the new fuel filter I purchased yesterday and finish the engine checks started a week ago. This was achieved without incident and then a brass polishing exercised completed the preparations for our days cruise. Thames Lock was not available before 11:45, but in spite of this most of the boats moored up had left the basin. We were the last, and as expected, all the boats were moored up on the wall waiting for the lock keeper to appear. I aimed for a gap at the rear of the queue and performed an immaculate mooring up manoevre which I then discovered was so because I was well and truly aground. Gunning the propellor just churned up the black mud and sucked in more solid material and made nasty noises. This was a case for the pole! With great difficulty and with all the weight at the front, I managed to get off at the rear and then reversed out. With that little exitement out of the way we passed Thames lock in company with Josanica II. Turning up river once out of Brentford Creek I set 1700 rpm and proceeded to overtake the previous 3 boats. My rationale for this seeming bit of motorway madness is that I want to give the engine a good run and see how the keel cooling performs. I do not trust the water temperature gauge - it was reading around 100 degrees C (usually 95), but no seeming problems.
Surprisingly, Teddington Lock was not ready and there was already a queue waiting. Somehow, most of us squeezed in. Those needing licenses were told to get them at Molesey because of the work being done on the moorings above Teddington meant that there would be nowhere to stop. Josanica II stayed in company although the skipper and crew seemed unsure of Thames working - they were reprimanded at Molesey for not using bow and stern ropes and keeping their engine running, even though it was so quiet as to be almost inaudible. Our favourite mooring at Walton-on-Thames near the "Angler" pub was available, so here we are. There is good dog walking here and the pub is popular and serves food. As for us we needed neither food nor beer tonight. Steak pie, boiled potatoes with mixed vegetables.
Todays cruise: 5 locks 15 miles 4hrs 45mins.
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