Members from Penton Hook and Shepperton marinas assembled at Teddington on Monday 2nd August and enjoyed a pleasant dinner at the nearby Anglers pub.
The next morning Lockdown Dream, Venture, Purple Orchid, and Beatrice Rose set off for Limehouse where we were joined by Mojito coming from the Medway.
That afternoon we visited the Museum of London (Docklands) which was well worth a visit: there’s a lot to see! In the evening we had a splendid dinner at the La Figa Italian restaurant near Limehouse.
The following day we were joined by John and Geraldine, and Philip who came by public transport. One group visited Tower Bridge and its engine room below ground; if you have never seen it then please do visit, just watch out for the stairs as there are a lot of them. The other group made their way to Greenwich, visited the Cutty Sark, and enjoyed a leisurely lunch at the Gipsy Moth pub. That evening we all ate at the Cruising Association.
On Thursday morning Venture set off back to Shepperton while the remainder of the group continued to Chatham. Unfortunately, Purple Orchid had to turn back as her engine began to overheat due to duckweed blocking the raw water inlet. Venture and Purple Orchid joined up and proceeded to Teddington where Purple Orchid was able to clean the blockage from the filters and proceed safely.  Mojito, Beatrice Rose and Lockdown Dream continued to Chatham. John Cochrane joined for the trip to Chatham on Lockdown dream, which was the first time she had been used at speed, her new owners (David and Linda) were very happy to try her at full throttle, apart from having minor issues with the trim tabs. After a couple of days Lockdown Dream headed back upriver, the return trip was uneventful apart from heavy rain in London which caused poor viability. Beatrice Rose followed a few days later while Mojito remained in Chatham.
 

To mark the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the founding of AMYC in 1971, a club meeting was organised for the weekend of 21st / 22nd August by Robbie and Gill.  The plan was to meet on the Saturday at Windsor Marina, where moorings had been reserved.
In the event, only two boats were able to attend, Beatrice Rose and Purple Orchid, but we were joined at various times by the crews of Mojito (Nick and Tracie), Venture (Maurice and Ann), and Sea Quest (Geoff and Sally) not forgetting the dogs, Leo and Shadow!
A gazebo, resplendent in 50th anniversary bunting, was erected on the grass area near Windsor Yacht Club.  A great “bring your own” picnic was then enjoyed, followed by ultra-competitive games of giant Jenga and skittles.  I’m sorry to report that the girls were mullered by the boys in both events!
An excellent takeaway supper of fish and chips was then eaten aboard Beatrice Rose, followed by the consumption of a considerable quantity of malt whiskey.  This resulted in a very good night’s sleep!
The Sunday morning was a leisurely affair, with crews mostly attending to their ablutions!  Dress code for the afternoon was club regalia and straw hats for the gentlemen and posh frocks and fascinators for the ladies. Ten members then gathered in the gazebo for prosecco and a speech and toast to the club delivered by the Vice Commodore Tony, as David, our Commodore, was regrettably unable to attend.  The agony of the speech over, we adjourned to the Oakley Court Hotel for an incredibly civilised tea on the terrace, with views over the lawns to the river.  The weather was most obliging, remaining sunny throughout.  Some excellent photographs were taken and hopefully will appear in due course on the club website.
On our return to Windsor Marina, an ominous black thundercloud appeared, prompting a rush to get the gazebo packed away before members made their separate ways home.
We all agreed it had been a splendid weekend, most ably organised by Robbie and Gill to whom we extend our thanks.
Here’s to the next fifty years of successful club boating!