We need to be in West India Dock on Monday to join the 20 or more (hopefully) boats taking part in the protest cruise past the Houses of Parliament on Tuesday. The journey there for various logistical reasons, tides being one of them, takes place over three days, the first (today) to Brentford, then out on the tidal river tomorrow to go down to Limehouse and finally on Monday, to go out on the river again to join the flotilla of boats returning from the Excel Boat Show to go into the lock.
The weather has been very stormy recently, so we were pleased that things are settling down although there was still a strong breeze blowing. The rain looks as if it will hold off. Leaving Harefield at first light, Denham and Uxbridge locks were against us. By Cowley, other boats were moving; Ara and Archimedes were starting a fuel run down. We decided to stop off at the Toll House Cafe for breakfast - well worth it. Then Tesco at Bulls Bridge for re-stocking of the ship's stores. Once on the move again we were beind a broadbeam - "Ro-an" - which being well crewed was helpful in cracking top paddles for us on the way down Hanwell. Pat was working ahead whilst Mike was working the locks single-handedly. Lock 95 proved too much. There appears to be a leak in the old side pond culvert, so that a lot of water enters the lock from the side when draining preventing the bottom gates opening for quite a while. Then rubbish jammed behind the towpath side gate, once the water had subsided, prevented it opening fully and he had to change sides - tricky when not on the boat. Help was needed to avoid wasting too much time. Recent storms have produced large amounts of flotsam which come down the River Brent and build up above Osterley Lock. Finally, nowhere to moor at Brentford on the towpath side, so we settled for a spot on the opposite side just above the lock. Out at 8:30 ish tomorrow.
Supper on board - Liver & Bacon with profiteroles to follow.
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