In the 'Big Smoke'.

A bit of a cold/virus thing happening over the past few days, so updating the (b)Log of the good ship Moonstone has not had much precedence. However; I wanted to apprise you of the variety of aquatic bird-life we've been seeing; both on the river Thames, and here around the canals of London.

For starters: once we emerged from the Kennet and Avon Canal, the number of swans increased exponentially. As they all belong to the monarch, Liz is rich in big white birds ... as well as lots of other things! We've probably seen a hundred times (not exaggerating!) as many swans as this, over the past week. 




Here is a sampling of other birds espied ...

Canada geese and goslings ... too many to count!

Urban comorant ... right here in Little Venice.

The ubiquitous Mallard. 

Mandarin duck and drake. He's the colourful one!

Muscovy ducks.

Tufted ducks ... sweet!

Aylesbury duck ... originally farmed.

Coot and chick ... 

... and a moorhen ... both great swimmers without webbed feet!

Meanwhile ... here's (60' x 11') boat named Valhalla. We thought we were intruding on the shooting of a new episode of STAR WARS!

Now we're off - with my daughter and her husband (Jane and Max) to see the West End stage production of the commitments. I'll be back as soon as possible. Tom.

Down the Thames to Teddington.

Day 8 (Tuesday - 2nd. June)

We departed the Kennet and Avon Canal, from Reading (pronounced: "redding") at noon on Sunday (31st. May), on an unpromising weather forecast; but with hope high in our hearts. Graham Metcalfe's 70th. birthday celebration - on the previous evening - had provided some great choruses and harmonies, whilst a fair amount of ale was supped ... but not a hangover-inducing amount!

Locking down onto the River Thames

It's been more than a year since last we were on the river, and the sheer size of it - in comparison to any of the canals - is, at first, somewhat daunting. However; we soon became accustomed to - but respectful of - the changed conditions. With the increased depth of water and 'going with the flow', our sat-nav (not left with our car, in Warwick) informed us that we were achieving 5.2 mph. (!!!) The locks on the river are operated by professional lock-keepers and, despite being wider and longer than even the fairly large locks on the K&A, each operation (the average distance apart being around 2-3 miles) takes only 5 or 10 minutes. Our final lock on the Thames will be at Teddington; when we shall emerge onto the 'tidal Thames' for about four miles; before we turn into the Brentford Tidal Lock, and onto the Grand Union Canal.

Once we started heading downstream we became aware - even more so than when we were on the river last year - that we were in the territory of our overlords. For more than 30 miles we never caught sight of a residence with a 'market valuation' of less than (we would estimate) five million pounds ($8,000,000); with most appearing to be valued at anywhere between twice and ten times that amount. Strangely: it is not difficult to avoid feeling envious, but very easy to feel faintly nauseated. In such an unequal society, it might be easy to think: "So this is how the other half live!" until one realizes that this is how our rulers and 'the other one percent' live. Interestingly: in several hundred of these estates and mansions (throughout Sunday and Monday); we never, actually, caught sight of a living soul ... apart for a couple of gardeners!!!

There is; however; no denying the beauty and pleasantness of many of these places, so here are a selection of the less ostentatious ones ... 

Here are a couple which, admittedly, are owned by the people of the United Kingdom ... 

Hampton Court

 ... and Queen Elizabeth the Second's little pied-à-terre ... 

Windsor Castle.

We truly believe we are NOT envious. We actually believe that we are amongst the very richest people we know ... though not for financial reasons ... we're just very lucky, happy and content. We are, likewise, aware that; in almost every way; we exist somewhere within the top ten percent of the planet's population. Knowing that, we do try to positively affect the lives of others.

Enough of such socialist claptrap! Next time we'll show you the multifariousness of aquatic wildlife, and boat construction we've seen on the river.

I TOLD you we were tired!!!

Alright, alright ... have some pity. There should be a "do not operate machinery - even a computer - after a day of hard canalling" warning somewhere around here. Yes - Yes -Yes - It IS still May. Thank you (all) for pointing that out.

We're on the outskirts of Reading; and 'way ahead of our cruising schedule ... hooray!

Our friend: Tony O'Neil; - he of the locking crew - reports that our anchor and chain have been delivered and now in the boot (trunk) of his car, and awaiting onward shipping. He'll bring them to wherever we are tomorrow (Saturday) afternoon, and then transport us to Graham Metcalf's 70th. birthday party. Lyn will be driving us back to the boat afterwards, when we shall likely be very tired again!

Today was - as forecast - a bit damp, so we were quite lazy for the forenoon hours. The sun is now shining, and the River Thames beckons ... although we shall resist his (Old Father Thames) blandishments until Sunday.

Day 4 (Friday, - yesterday wasn't, actually, Tuesday - 29th. May) 9 miles & 10 locks.

Erratum.

After posting the account of Days 1 & 2, I (belatedly) realized that I had neglected to mention the specifics of progress achieved. Here are the details ... 

Day 1. (Tuesday, 26th. June, 2015) 13.5 Miles - 28 Locks

Day 2. (Wednesday, 27th. June, 2015) 13 Miles - 23 Locks

 ... and to bring us up to date ... 

Day 3. (Tuesday, 28th. June, 2015) 15 Miles - 20 Locks

Now moored in a quiet little spot, just outside the quiet little village of WOOLHAMPTON. Lyn and I are both quite exhausted, so ... goodnight!

Devizes to London - Days 1 & 2

A daunting prospect.

We were off bright (sort of) and early (reasonably so) on our attempt at the North Face of the Caen Hill Flight (of locks).

We had barely started when we came across a group of vacationers, who agreed to team-up for the assault. They were a family of eight (two small children); so we would not be lacking willing bodies; even if rather untutored. However; they were quick learners, so we were several locks into the (total) 28, when our first recruits joined us ... Babs and Jim Hannis, from Gloucester. Jim is quite the talented melodeon player, so notes were quickly ringing around the locks. Shortly thereafter, Tony O'Neil turned up - from Maidenhead - so an extra voice was added to the vocal mix. About half-way up, our final recruit: Dave Field; came aboard; his personal windlass handle  at the ready.

WINDLASS HANDLE

Here's a picture of Moonston's locking crew after a restorative glass of ale! Where's Lyn?





Deciding to capitalize on a good start, Lyn and I we're soon back on the cut, for about 15 miles of 'lock-free' cruising ... getting almost to our the destination we had targeted for Day 2!!!

With lots of bird-song surrounding us (largely wonderful notes from Blackbirds) we were off early on Day 2 (07:30) in glorious weather. This was the perfect day, and season, for viewing the myriad of Blackthorn in blossom.




 Our conception of England as a crowded, built-upon, little island is being challenged by the beautiful miles of brilliant green scenery, with man-made structures nowhere to be seen.

So now we're in Hungerford; just a few hours cruising from Newbury; where we're hoping to purchase an anchor ... which we're told is 'an absolute essential safety feature' for river voyaging.






All for now, Tom.

That was the 'shakedown cruise ...

25th. May, 2015 ... tomorrow morning we start up the (infamous) Caen Hill flight of locks; our first challenge en route to London.

We've spent the past weekend singing up a storm. Thursday and Friday at Gloucester (pronounced: GLOSTER), for their inaugural Shanty Festival; then Saturday, Sunday and Monday at the 44th. Annual Chippenham Folk Festival. Both were great!

Lyn and I will be working hard for about ten days, in order to get Moonstone (and us) to London, in time for a gig at the Bowes Park Folk Club. I'll be posting updates as often as my exhaustion allows. Meanwhile ... ONWARDS AND UPWARDS!

Bristol to Bradford-On-Avon

Days 10 – 14

Just proceeding quietly (Eastwards) back towards Caen Hill Marina (Devizes); with stops in Bath to, again, catch up with family; and in Bradford on Avon to catch-up with my ‘ex’: Kate, and her husband: Richard. They brought delicious ‘fish and chips’ down to the boat, and a convivial evening was had by all.

Along the way we met up with old friend: Tony O'Niell and his recruits (pressed men and women) on a 'hire (rented) boat'.

Here they are entering one of the Locks in Bath.

It so happens that it is one of the deepest locks on the whole canal system ... nearly 20 ft.! 

In the evening, in company with the Dutch family from the other narrowboat, we all repaired to the ROYAL OAK; for some singing. Sadly; that hostelry was run by the most miserable publican it is possible to imagine. We were the last patrons in the bar when - at 9:45pm. - he called "last orders", and at 10 o'clock locked the door behind us. It is to be said that he was the subject of much derogatory conversation! 

A predominantly wet day (Thursay) discouraged boating; but provided enough bright intervals for a few snapshots around this pretty town.

... this is where they were stored ... 

In the middle ages, common practice had working folk of a parish 'donate', yearly, one tenth (a 'tithe') of all their labours, to the local church or monastery.

 ... in the Tithe Barn.

 

The weather (Thursday) not being conducive to travel, we lit the stove, read our books, perused the newspaper, did some crosswords, etc. and - generally - loafed around. Somebody has to!

Total progress, since last report, was: 27 miles + 14 locks. Weather: this is England ... what weather were you expecting?

More soon, Tom.