The Thames, Brentford to Waltham on Thames - Part 1

The Thames, Brentford to Waltham on Thames

Tuesday 28th May, 2013

Leaving the canal at Brentford

It was Tuesday 28th May, we set out on the tidal Thames 4.20pm, high tide was 6.00pm so it was a sprint to get to Teddington before the tide turned. With the rain threatening and wind, cloudy and cold it seemed such a big, big river, Happy Daze feels very small on this huge river.

There's a couple more narrow boats going along for the ride too, all heading upstream to Teddington Lock where it becomes semi tidal in spring tides, only moves up and down slightly at high tide.

The convoy of Narrow Boats go up towards Teddington

Going under Richmond Bridge

Looking back at Richmond on the Hill

Under Richmond bridge we spotted a boat coming speedily towards us. At second glance I noticed it was my old buddy Mark, he's the guy who replated Norfolk Lass ten years ago! I stayed in his boatyard for several weeks, his family became my friends! A few shouted words across the choppy river and he's off, and so are we towards Twickenham bridge, and past Eel Pie island (Marks place is here). 

Going under Twickenham Bridge

A boat crane at work at Eel Pie Island

About an hour after leaving Brentford we arrived at a very long but not deep Teddington Lock.

Licences checked, up in minutes and the sky's opened again. We pull over to the Teddington lock visitor moorings and decide to stay here the night. £8.50p later we'd paid for our space on the Thames for one night. 

After a quiet night (except for the huge weir opposite the boat,) we found a lovely walk for Jack.

Jack enjoying the commonlands at Teddington

Looking upstream at our journey to come on a beautiful (at the moment) morning

Looking back at our £8.50 mooring spot at Teddington Lock

We set off up the river, windy, drizzle and so cold now.

The river is huge, beautiful houses line the river, huge boats come towards us and overtake us. 

The shiney and glossy Hampton Court

 We go past the stunning Hampton Court and through a couple of manned locks, all happy lock keepers. well kept gardens.

Moseley Lock, quite large hey!

Houseboats line the banks of the islands ....

Massive house boats line the banks of all the islands, beautiful gardens all with professional gardeners I bet! And a few scruffy mini-towns pop up here and there! 

....And others just get in where they can!

The weather is rubbish, so in the rain we pull over to the 24 hour moorings in Waltham on Thames.

We pull over at the 24 hour moorings at Waltham on Thames

and Jack peeps out to see if its stopped raining!

Free for one night, £5 after that. As the weather is so cold and windy the next day we stay and decide to pay the £5 mooring fee if we get asked. (But no one came!)

We explore the town, the big posh Shepperton Marina opposite that had very little for narrow boats, only placcy gin palaces, and the walks and meadows around. we lit our fire and made the boat cosy, getting telly as well!

Going to bed that night with a headache, I woke up with the worst migraine I've ever had! I was going through hell in my head, Was really sick, felt horrid.

I slept most of the morning and by lunchtime was feeling muggy but the pain had subsided to a bearable dull ache. Its time to go.

Leaving Waltham on Thames........