Cruise to Runneymede & Laying up supper 2025

Cruise to Runneymede and annual ‘Laying Up’ supper

This event took place over the weekend of 10th – 12th October 2025
Three boats departed PH Marina around midday on Friday 10th October, namely Scotch Mist, Zephyr and Lady Farrington. These boats co-ordinated their arrival at Penton Hook lock with Laird Tommy which had cruised up from her new mooring at Middle Thames YC.

The four boats then cruised in company up to Runneymede, arriving around 2.30pm. The moorings outside the “secret warehouse” were almost deserted, allowing for stress-free mooring. Robbie and Jill, aboard Beatrice Rose, joined us a little later, having cruised up from their home mooring at Chertsey. Unfortunately, Robbie had slipped when operating the lock at Bell Weir and cut his left thumb quite badly. John and Geraldine, our resident paramedics, were able to offer assistance, and a rather better dressing than he had been able to apply!
The afternoon was taken up with drinks and snacks aboard Scotch Mist, followed by supper aboard crews own boats, and more after dinner drinks!

Saturday morning activities were unstructured, with crews variously dog-walking and ambling around the open areas and sampling the café. We were joined during the morning by Chris and Lin who had cruised up aboard Enterprise, so six boats in all attended – a good turnout! Crews met aboard Scotch Mist at lunch time to celebrate Sally’s birthday, with vast quantities of nibbles and Fizz. Lin had even managed a cake with a candle! Sharon then entertained us with one of her quizzes (the questions were cryptic and the answers all brands or types of confectionery)

It had been decided at the September club meeting, that this cruise should incorporate our annual club ‘Laying-Up’ supper. To that end, Geoff and Sally had arranged for a large group of eighteen club members and guests to eat that evening at the Italian Concept Restaurant, which is a short walk from the moorings. The cruising group were joined by Emelia (plus Toby and Edward -unfortunately Martin was unable to join them due to a recurrence of Covid)) , David and Bernie, Ann Marshal and Helen Chiverton We enjoyed a generally good (if expensive!) meal, although David had to return a plate of overcooked and rubbery calamari.
The cruising group adjourned after the meal for drinks and coffee aboard Scotch Mist.

Enterprise and Beatrice Rose departed early on Sunday morning, leaving the crews of Scotch Mist, Zephyr, Lady Farrington and Laird Tommy to enjoy a full breakfast at the Runneymede café, before they, too, departed for home. John and Geraldine aboard Laird Tommy stopped off at Staines to while away time before the Tuesday meeting, while the remaining boats cruised gently back to Penton Hook.
Many thanks to Geoff and Sally for organising a very successful and enjoyable event.