We have to wait for the tide to help us up the Thames to Teddington.
So it was that we left the mooring at 12:30 passed through the Gauging Locks with the assistance of a volunteer lock-keeper, dawdled round the last wiggles of the River Brent to arrive at Thames Lock at the appointed hour. Soon we were on our way making 6.8mph with the tide behind us. Our arrival at Teddington an hour later was pretty uneventful, just a short wait. Then on to the non-tidal river. We were amused just before Kingston to be joined by a flotilla of small sailing dinghies formed in chains and being towed up river against the wind, each with a couple of children aboard. No doubt they were going to be set loose to drift down stream and downwind later. Our interest was further drawn at Kingston to the noise and crowds of people who were supporting team GB in the cycle road race time trials. The route followed the river up as far as Hampton Court. At Molesley Lock we stopped for a pumpout. The noise of the helicopters hovering overhead was irritating to say the least, drowning out the noise of the pump out machine sucking the nasties out of our holding tank denying me the subtle sounds which indicate completion of the task. Continuing on our first mooring opportunity at Walton on Thames was taken by the boat in front, so we continued on to Shepperton where the public moorings are now much improved. Pat's lamb hotpot was excellent.
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