Two boats were attending from Albany
Laird Tommy
Zephyr

Friday 6 Sept
Zephyr and Laird Tommy left PH just before 2pm and headed for Sunbury. Chertsey lock we had to prepare and open the gates but as the boats entered the lock keeper appeared and carried on the process for us. The other 2 locks were manned.

​ We moored at Middle Thames Yacht club on the Bankside towards the weir end, outside the clubhouse. We relaxed in the clubhouse with a coffee.

​We had decided to have a BBQ for our evening meal using the facilities at MTYC but we had taken our own food and coals.

​The club had a committee meeting in the evening and Dennis sorted out the electricity supply for us, as they have now gone to smart metres and a pre payment card, which we paid when we left for what we had used.

Unfortunately in true British style it rained during the BBQ so after we finished the BBQ we retired to Zephyr for desert and a night cap or two.

Saturday 7 Sept
After a morning coffee in the club house we decided to catch the ferry and take a walk to the Walled garden for a spot of lunch. The crew from Laird Tommy managed to obtain the last 2 baked potatoes for lunch at the envy of the others.

​A leisurely afternoon and then we dressed up into our black ties and ball gowns for the evening Ball. Robbie & Jill joined us for the evening meal and dancing.

Once the Ball was over Robbie & Jill left to drive home and then the 4 of us retired to Laird Tommy for a few night caps.

Sunday 8 Sept
​ MTYC very kindly offered to cook a full English breakfast for all the people that had stayed on their boats and this was ready at about 10:15. Which was very enjoyable.

​After breakfast we both decided to leave and head back to PH. The only lock manned was Sunbury for the return journey.

3 boats were joining the ATYC rally this year from Albany.
Enterprise lll
Laird Tommy XX
Blue Dimension

​Thursday 22 Aug
​Enterprise was the first to leave PH at about 8:30 and headed to Teddington. Laird Tommy left PH at 9:45

Once both moored up at Teddington, afternoon drinks were consumed on Enterprise. The evening meal was enjoyed at the Tide End pub.

​Friday 23 Aug
​Blue Dimension joined us at Teddington mid afternoon and this time drinks were consumed at the Bankside.

Something very strange happened at about 18:30 all went quiet and you couldn’t hear the weir. When we looked over the level of water on the weir side had risen to the same level as the river which allowed about 4 canoes to ride straight over from the river onto the weir side. After a short period then the weir side level fell and the noise of the weir running started again.

Evening meal was left to each boat to organise and Russ & Mary and their 2 guests had a meal at the Anglers pub. John & Geraldine joined them later on for a drink.

​Early to bed for early start the next day.

Saturday 24 Aug
At 04:30 lock in had been booked so the 3 boats duly lined up and entered the lock in the pitch black. Enterprise led the way with Blue Dimension in the middle and Laird Tommy bringing up the rear. While we were in the lock we saw a large seal swimming in the water beside our boats.

It took until about 5:45 to 6:00 before you could start to see anything as the darkness faded.

All was going fine till we approached Hammersmith bridge and then Enterprise and Blue Dimension realised that due to the very high spring tide they didn’t have enough air draught, so had to wait.

Laird Tommy decided to carry on and managed to get under Hammersmith bridge with only about 2 to 3 inches of space, duly watched by the crew as we went really slowly through.

As we were early going through London there was very little traffic on the river.

Laird Tommy arrived at West India Dock first at 8:30 followed a little while later by Enterprise and Blue Dimension and we all rafted against each other while the lock filled up with all the other boats on the rally.

The lock was closed at 09:45 as the tide was falling very fast but fortunately all the boats had arrived.

Each boat club were given 1 or 2 spaces on the Bankside in the dock, so Blue Dimension moored first and Enterprise rafted alongside and Laird Tommy moored Bankside behind them.

Then just for a change, we had some drinks and nibbles on Enterprise.

​At 3pm we had the opportunity to go and see Massey Shaw fire boat which was used in 1940 to assist with the Dunkirk evacuation. Unfortunately one of the engines is completely stripped down for repairs but we were allowed to walk round the fire boat and go inside the engine room.

The 6 of us brushed up into our posh attire to attend the drinks reception at the nearby hotel followed by a 3 course meal and dancing late into the evening.

Sunday 25 Aug
In the morning Geraldine, John & Russ returned to the hotel for a full English breakfast.

ATYC had organised a couple of displays for us in the morning. How to rescue a stricken boat by rafting out while afloat on the water. Showing us that the boat under power should have its stern further back than the stricken boat by about a mitre to allow for steerage and control.

​ Also throwing a rescue line to someone in the water.

In the afternoon a session on boat handling and rowing with about 6 people on a KataKanu, 2 canoes joined together.

Along with a couple of races, which I think was won by PHYC. Also the Canal Project staff showed us some knots and slicing along with some rope throwing.

Then there was tea, coffee and cake on the pontoon. Followed by a glass of wine.

​ The evening was spent aboard Blue Dimension and food was pooled together from the 3 boats along with some alcohol (of course).

Monday 26 Aug
9:30am  7 PHYC boats plus 1 prepared to leave in the morning as they were heading out on an East Coast Cruise.

The rest of the rally fleet were leaving in the afternoon at about 3pm

Some of us took this time to go for a little walk round the dock and found a small area selling some street food, which we had for lunch.

The fleet of about 30 boats were arranged into 2 groups of 15 boats, so we didn’t all leave the dock at the same time and cause problems in London with the busy ferry traffic.

This had been requested by the PLA/VTS along with a few other restrictions at late notice, and they advised that they would be watching our behaviour (as there had been a few boats speeding during the 2019 rally). Once we were out of the busy London section Andrew (joint chair of ATYC) phoned the PLA/VTS and they congratulated us on our behaviour. A couple of boats were spoken too on the route into WID as they were cutting the corner and on the wrong side of the channel.

​ Albany boats were in the first group to leave the lock in the afternoon.

The speed of our return was controlled by the lead boat, so the taller boats could navigate under Hammersmith bridge and then time our arrival at Richmond Weir as the sluices were raised.

We had a slight wait at Teddington to enter the lock as a couple of boats were already using it.

Laird Tommy and Enterprise were in the first lock in and we were able to moor at Teddington and then Blue Dimension in the second lock in was also able to moor behind us.

Enterprise and Laird Tommy pooled their food for the evening meal on Enterprise and Blue Dimension decided to eat out at the Tide End. Then we all had a night cap on Enterprise.

Tuesday 27 Aug
We departed Teddington in the morning and made our way back to PH marina.

Present:
John & Geraldine
Russ & Mary
Philip
Geoff & Sally
Martin, Emilia, Edward & Toby

This year the sun was shining and there was no indication of rain being forecast, so different from last year. People brought their own meat or vegetables and drink. We started cooking just before 18:30. Rolls, salad bits, coleslaw, potato salad, sauces and meringue & strawberries and cream were provided. We all eat well and had a good social evening with the odd drink.
​ We did miss the flame thrower to light the BBQ and its owner and also Sharon’s potato salad.

​Enterprise III and lady Farrington arrived on Baths Island (from different directions) on Thursday 8 August and managed to moor with more spaces available. Zephyr and Laird Tommy left Penton Hook Marina on Friday morning, 9 August at 8:30. We had to operate Penton Hook lock ourselves but all the other three locks were all manned by Lock-keepers. We arrived at Baths Island and moored before midday. Lunch was then prepared on the Bankside.

​​The afternoon was left to do your own thing. Mandy went swimming, Lin had a paddle in her blow up arm chair. John & Geraldine borrowed Miss Farrington dinghy and went for a row around Baths Island accompanied by Chris & Lin in their dinghy with an outboard. The evening meal was left to each couple to fend for themselves and then we had drinks on the Bankside and raised a glass to Tony & Sharon, played a few games of magnetic chess which was great fun. PHYC were also on a cruise to Windsor and Baths Island became very busy with boats rafting 3 or 4 abreast. To give them a bit more room Lady Farrington gave up their mooring and rafted against Zephyr for the night.

​Saturday 10 August Sally, Mandy and Geraldine walked into Windsor to get some shopping for the cream tea later that day and met Lin for a coffee. Then the three ladies watched the changing of the guard, which the waiting was actually much longer than the actual event. The 3 ladies decided to go for a swim and Terry had spotted a couple of moorings available on the inner channel of Baths Island with electric hookup, so decided to move Lady Farrington round with the help of Chris. Then Philip arrived in Kerry Anne V so we directed him round to the inner channel as well to moor in front of Lady Farrington. Once the ladies had returned from their swim we then had the afternoon cream tea on the Bankside. Terry helped blow up John’s dinghy and then Miss Farrington dinghy (electric motor) with Terry, Mandy and Sally with John & Geraldine in Little Tommy dinghy with oars went up to a wooden bridge opposite the race course and then turned round. LT accepted a tow back to save time.

​The evening meal was booked at the Cote Brasserie and when the majority of us arrived Chris and Lin were already there. However, Chris had seen that the end of the long table was positioned very close to the windows, so no elbow room. So Chris decided to move the table into the room slightly but as he pulled one of the tables full of glasses and a water jug the table collapsed and all the glass smashed on the floor. Chris apologised to the staff who were ok about it and just cleared anything up and reset the table. The 9 of us enjoyed a lovely evening meal at the Cote Brasserie on the Eton side of the river. Afterwards we walked back with an ice cream through Alexandra Gardens and Lin, Mandy and Sally had a trip on a large ferris wheel.

​Sunday 11 August Sunday lunch was booked at 12:00 at Browns and again we all enjoyed a good meal. In the afternoon Little Tommy dinghy with John & Geraldine went out again but this time borrowed Terry’s electric motor to see the difference. They were accompanied by Chris & Lin in their dinghy and went up the cut nearby where the boats from the French Brothers moored at night. In the evening we all chipped in with food and nibbles and enjoyed our last evening at the Bankside on Baths Island.

​Monday 12 August Enterprise and Laird Tommy slipped their moorings at about 8:00 to start the journey back to Penton Hook and Zephyr, Lady Farrington and Kerry Anne V left later on to head back. Great weekend and thanks to Geraldine for organising

Report by: Sally Chiverton

At 10 am on Friday 7th June, Scotch Mist, Lady Farrington and Zephyr left Penton Hook Marina enroute to Baths Island, Windsor, whereupon we moored up and enjoyed a late lunch on the river bank in the sunshine. Tony’s initial concerns of having to cruise solo up to Windsor on account of Sharon having to work on the Friday, were resolved when Tracie and Nick offered to crew on Scotch Mist for the weekend.

After a lazy afternoon, we set off for a delicious dinner at Prezzo in Windsor that was further enhanced by Mandy’s Gourmet card which provided a 25% discount on all the food and wine. Thanks again Mandy!

Our initial panic that this weekend was the Windsor Triathlon Competition with approx. 2.5K swimmers, was calmed by the subsequent discovery that though there might be a few swimmers from 6-8 a.m. on Saturday, the main event was on Sunday … phew!

We duly departed Baths Island and after a pleasant cruise, arrived early afternoon at Hedsor Water. The afternoon’s schedule had to be adapted to another riverbank lunch as the Lockie, i.e. he who knows the combination lock number for the gate to exit the lock island, had just gone to lunch!
All was not lost however, as we played silly games and made helicopters on the river bank which, I think, everyone enjoyed.

Back on schedule, we dined on our
respective boats before gathering onboard Scotch Mist for Gin Tasting.
A variety of gins and palate
cleansers/nibbles were presented and everyone was encouraged to taste whatever they fancied, and score the gin either with emoji’s or numbers, according to it being:
❖ Horrible
❖ Drinkable
❖ Quite nice
❖ Delicious

Ultimately, there were 9 different Gins, of which the two clear winners were Whitley Neill – Rhubarb & Ginger and the Commodore’s favourite which was the Gordon’s London Dry White Peach Gin

Zephyr enjoyed a more leisurely start and left Hedsor Water just before 10 a.m. before reuniting with Lady Farrington who had been moored overnight at Windsor Marina, whilst attending the family event. The final stop was for lunch at the Runnymede Memorial Park.
All the boats were safely back on their home mooring at Penton Hook Marina by 6 p.m.

Report by:  Chris and Lin Barry

At last, ... the river behaves (sort of) and Albany heads down river to Teddington moorings for the weekend, the forecast wasn’t great but we were all just thrilled to be afloat. Friday evening featured a towpath party as we donned coats and sat and enjoyed a few drinks ... suddenly a flying pig appeared! Or was it a horse? Just a big escaped balloon!

​The evening finished with a meal at Cote where we were joined by Emilia and boys.

Sunday and the sun was still shining (inbetween the downpours) and all crewsassembled for the treasure hunt briefing and off they went looking for clues and answering questions.
Two hours later aboard Enterprise,
Prosecco was drunk and toasts were
made and Mary and Russ were crowned the worthy winners of the treasure chest filled with gold! (Golden sweets!)

​After a wonderful Sunday lunch in the
Anglers the happy boaters made their
ways back to boats or home moorings.
​
Lin and Chris

Report from:  Chris and Lin
​
We parked in Kingston and walked down to Teddington to watch the pageant ceremony. Great
weather and a colourful sight to see.
The procession had two support boats and apart from the main boat with eight oared men in red, there
were several other boats representing various Guilds of London. There were men and women
represented in the procession boats.
How the guy in the big red coat coped with the heat I don’t know.
We cheered them off on their way to Tower of London.

​The main event programmed for early May was the club cruise to Chatham Maritime Marina for the Rochester Sweeps Festival over the May Bank Holiday weekend, 3rd to 6th May.
Three boats were originally booked into Chatham for the event, namely Ginista, Laird Tommy and Enterprise. The river conditions in the week leading up to event were hovering around red boards, with some stretches going briefly yellow, but returning to red as more rain fell in the upper Thames catchment area, leading to a “do we, or don’t we go” discussion among the crews.
In the event, Laird Tommy could not take part, anyway, as a pair of coots had made their nest on one of her trim tabs! John even received an email from the marina office reminding him of the regulations preventing disturbance of the nest until the chicks had fledged. Three boats now down to two!. John and Geraldine agreed to crew on Ginista, and all eyes were on the river conditions. Chris and Lin, aboard Enterprise, decided to make an early start and set off on the Monday, in a brief window of reduced river flow. Unfortunately, their journey was interrupted by mechanical issues when one engine overheated at Shepperton. They pulled into Shepperton Marina and contacted Mike Hone to sort them out with a new impeller and water pump, resuming their trip the next day. By midweek, the river was once again all red boarded, and with even more rain forecast for the weekend, Tony and John reluctantly decided not to set out. Tony was particularly sorry not to go, as this was to be his last cruise aboard Ginista, which is now up for sale at TBS , to make way for his “new” boat, “Scotch Mist”.
I will leave Chris and Lin to report on their cruise, and how the Sweeps festival faired.
Suffice it to say that the weather, once again, got the upper hand in this year’s dismal start to the season.

​

​Following Tony’s report we left Teddington at 6 am on Wednesday 1st May in misty and gloomy conditions but had an excellent calm journey all the way to Chatham to be greeted 6 and a half hours later with Sunshine and a warm MDL welcome, including a berth at the furthest from the entrance and facilities ! 

​The sweeps festival was its usual wonderful mix of music, beer and colour. Friday, Saturday and Sunday the sun shone and we had fun.
Bank holiday Monday it rained all day so we hunkered down aboard enterprise and read the papers and our books.

​Tuesday dawned fair we left at 6am and were rewarded with a great trip back and London sparkling in the sunshine and yippee due to spring tides the Richmond barrier was open early and we returned to Teddington.

​The weather was kind to us on the Saturday, allowing us to enjoy a walk with the dogs and to sit outside in the sun for pre-dinner drinks, as well as partaking of the freebies provided by MDL.
All in all, those present made the best of the conditions and had an enjoyable couple of days, heading home on easter Sunday.

​Sadly, having to cancel a cruise at Easter seems to be becoming the norm. Let’s hope for better boating conditions to come.

​Entertainment in the evenings is also outstanding, with a resident group and singer and guest acts such as a comedian. Dancing is positively encouraged!
The general consensus was that three days is just about right for the length of stay, and that this should become an annual fixture for the club and an ideal way to start the boating season.