Tidal Thames to Teddington & beyond

Last night boats kept arriving until well after dark. Just as we were retiring (OK a bit early) LYNX arrived from Battlebridge Basin. They had been told by the lock-keeper to moor up next to us as we were due to lock out together this morning. A long spell of gossiping followed and Pat prepared bacon rolls for the crew who had come straight from work to help the skipper. This morning, everyone was up on cue, and the lock keeper let us into the large Limehouse Lock at exactly 07:00. BW had a large crew on duty to deal with the 16 or so boats which were to follow us on the tidal Thames cruise organised by St Pancras Cruising Club. The benefit of having a tide early on a Saturday moring was obvious. The lower pool was like a millpond and our three boats, St David joined us) had an easy run up river. LYNX got a little carried away and shot ahead, only to be held at the Richmond Weir. We were quickly handled by the Teddington Lock Keepers and as it was only 11.00 am we carried on. About this time, Pat had a phone call to say that her mother was ill and that there was nothing for it but for her to return home. We decided to do Moseley Lock together and then she would leave to get a train back to London from Hampton Court Station. I would then have to carry on single handed. I had not done the Thames single
St David aims for Tower Bridge. Note the
smooth water in early morning and no trip boats

handed upstream before, so was a little concerned, however the first few locks went very well. Using the centre rope with the boat coasting into the lock, nicely lined up and with the engine off (a refinement after Sunbury Lock) I lassooed a bollard from the roof and stopped the boat using it. Tie off, with the rope at about 45 degrees. Then step off the roof at the front of the boat with the bow rope (previously placed on the roof) and set up a holding position on a bollard again at about 45 degrees in the opposite direction. This held the boat beautifully - untill Bell Weir Lock that is. This has a side fill, and the operation went spectacularly wrong with stern of the boat shooting out uncontrollably. No problem, there was no other boat to get in the way, but I need to know this in future to set the stern rope in addition. Runnymead was the first decent mooring I came across at 17:00 hrs and took it. A lonely supper of last nights leftovers, but a gorgeous bottle of Argentinian wine.