​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.

The ATYC Spring Ball 2024 was held on 24th February this year at the Richmond Hill Hotel.
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The meal was excellent, and the company, of course, was sparkling! There was also plenty of opportunity for “networking” in the bar.  ​

Our annual “Laying-Up” lunch took place at the Three Horseshoes pub in Laleham on Saturday 21st October. The venue was chosen to allow crews to attend by boat if they wished, as there is mooring on the town quay a short walk from the pub. Our usual venue, the Thames Court at Shepperton, was not reachable by boat this year due to the extended closure of Chertsey Lock. In the event, a red-boarded river meant that all members attended by car, with the notable exception of Robbie and Jill who were able to stroll gently from their new home on Thames Side. The three Horseshoes may well be their “local” from now on!
Thirteen members gathered for the meal and were welcomed by Commodore Tony. It was particularly pleasing to welcome Maurice and Ann. Thanks are due to Geoff for collecting them and returning them home. Both the surroundings and the food were excellent. The Three Horseshoes will certainly be on our list of possible venues for future events.

Whilst recognising that the penultimate cruise of 2023 was likely to be thinly attended, it was nevertheless a shame when one of the only two boat crews signed up for this event, succumbed to covid! Consequently, on Saturday 7th October, Zephyr set forth alone, whilst Ginista languished on her home berth!!

At this point, Geoff and I did wonder whether to cancel the event but as Les & Margaret were still keen to come by car and we had a booking at the Italian Concept Restaurant, we decided to still take Zephyr out for what was promising to be a gloriously sunny weekend.
Les & Margaret duly arrived mid-afternoon and we spent the time catching-up, sitting on the river bank in the sunshine, before adjourning to the restaurant for a delicious meal.

On Sunday morning, Geoff & I took the opportunity to catch-up over a leisurely breakfast at the kiosk, with some friends from the Thames Vintage Boat Club who happen to live opposite where we were moored and who also happen to have a wooden Broom Captain!
Then once we were back on-board Zephyr, enjoying a final cuppa whilst considering our return trip to Penton Hook, it was really lovely to see Mandy & Terry on Lady Farrington, who had taken a detour from their route for lunch at the Swan in Staines, to pop by and say hello. The Weybridge Mariners Club Commodore Roy Nash and his Lady, Gillian, were also on board.

To sum up, our weekend moored at the Runnymede Pleasure Ground, was greatly enhanced by continually encountering sociable and friendly boaters from three different motor yacht clubs, the AMYC, the TVBC and the WMC.

Constantly at risk of cancellation in the preceding days due to significant rainfall, the day of the cruise upriver dawned bright and sunny. Regrettably, the expected four boats were reduced to three as covid impacted the cruise.
 
On Friday, at 10 a.m., Lady Farrington and Zephyr left Penton Hook Marina and proceeded upriver on the understanding that Beatrice Rose would catch up soon.
 
Just before Old Windsor lock, Terry asked Geoff if Zephyr’s engine exhaust should be emitting steam, to which the answer was no. However, as the engine temperature gauge indicated all was fine, Geoff decided that the engine filter would be okay until we stopped for the night at Windsor.
 
Shortly after exiting Old Windsor lock, this proved to be a wrong decision as the temperature gauge suddenly leapt from 70C - 95C forcing Zephyr to pull in to moor just past Kris Cruisers to clear out the filter. Lady Farrington also pulled in intending to stand by and unexpectedly ran aground! 
 
While Geoff cleared the filter and restarted Zephyr’s engine, Sally and a helpful passerby used Zephyr and Lady Farrington’s boat hooks, in an unsuccessful attempt to push Lady Farrington off. Happily, a passing EA patrol boat was spotted, flagged down and subsequently assisted by towing Lady Farrington back into deeper water. This delay enabled Beatrice Rose to catch up as we approached Romney Lock.  
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​At 10 a.m. on Saturday, the three boats set off and arrived early afternoon at our mooring at Hedsor Water, just downstream of Cookham Lock. After a short walk into Cookham, we enjoyed a cuppa and a slice of cake at the Tea Pot Tea Rooms. A fun evening was spent on board Beatrice Rose and included playing Stacking Chairs and Dobble.
 
On Sunday, we lunched at The Ferry and were joined by Tony & Sharon who’d arrived by car to join us for lunch. We decided to complete our meal back at the boats with a banquet of puddings, cake and cheese, sitting on the river bank in the sunshine. I can heartily recommend Mandy’s lemon drizzle cake doused in Limoncello and custard!

After escorting Tony & Sharon off the lock island, our final evening was once again spent enjoying the comforts of Beatrice Rose chatting and drinking!
 
In the morning sunlight at 8.45 a.m., we left Hedsor Water and headed for home. Beatrice Rose opted to travel direct to her home mooring at Laleham, Lady Farrington initially stopped at Windsor for fuel before joining Zephyr who had stopped at the Runnymede Memorial Park for lunch.
 
All three boats were safely back on their home moorings by about 5 p.m. ​

​Following the success of the combined club cruise to W India dock with Middle Thames Yacht Club last weekend, they kindly invited us to join them for a short weekend break at their clubhouse on the lock island at Sunbury, and their Summer Masquerade Ball on the Saturday evening.  Four boats from Albany accepted the invitation: Enterprise, Laird Tommy, Ginista and Blue Dimension.  Enterprise and Laird Tommy cruised down on the Friday and moored to MTYC’s visitor berths alongside the clubhouse.  Unfortunately Enterprise, with Chris at the helm , experienced a sudden gust of wind just as she was manoeuvring in reverse into the tight space.  This resulted in a slow speed collision with one of MTYC’s club boats and the resultant loss to the depths of said boat’s auxiliary outboard!  Chris “fessed-up” and the owner was duly informed.  It transpired that the outboard was extremely elderly and due for replacement.  Negotiations followed, and an amicable cash settlement was agreed, with both parties remaining on good terms.

​MTYC had indicated that there would be a BBQ that evening. Chris and Lin and John and Geraldine were ready and waiting; and waiting, and waiting …!  Unfortunately, nobody from MTYC turned up!  Somehow or other an elderly disposable BBQ was unearthed, and the crews of Laird Tommy and Enterprise managed to cook a meal and amuse themselves.
Ginista and Blue Dimension set out together from PH on Saturday.  Their departure coincided with the Dunkirk Little Ships rally at PH.  The Little Ships made a great sight, dressed overall and with the veterans sporting their chests full of medals.  The weather was ideal, with warm September sunshine.  Long may these living pieces of history be lovingly maintained and used!
Ginista and Blue Dimension moored safely alongside MTYC’s clubhouse and Ginista’s new crew member, Donatello the Italian Greyhound puppy, was introduced to everyone.  He spent the next few hours blissfully asleep on Russ’ lap!

​The Ball started with a very good sit-down meal.  Kelvin (MTYC Commodore) welcomed everyone and was helped out with a short grace by Tony (distantly remembered from Round Table days). The evening continued with dancing to a very talented male Karaoke singer.  Needless to say, given the age profile of those present, he relied heavily on 50’s, 60’s and 70’s music.  All in all, the evening was a great success.

​Sunday morning dawned bright and sunny, and the Albany crews and MTYC members enjoyed a leisurely morning, culminating in a splendid “full Monty” fry-up brunch. After which the Albany boats departed for PH.

Our second event in August this year was a joint venture with Middle Thames Yacht Club, who had kindly invited us to join them for a cruise to West India Dock.
Six boats set out to join the cruise from Albany: Ginista, Enterprise, Laird Tommy, Blue Dimension, Lady Farrington and Manatees of Kent.

The six boats made their own way to the initial gathering point at Teddington Lock on Friday 25th August.  Sadly, Chris and Sue, aboard Manateees of Kent, were unable to continue the trip as they suffered a fuel injector malfunction on one of her engines and had to return to PH.  The remaining five boats from Albany joined up with eight more boats from MTYC.
Most of the crews attended a meeting on Friday evening in the Anglers pub for a meal and briefing, followed by an early night as the start time on Saturday was 0600.

​Saturday dawned fine and the flotilla gathered in Teddington Lock, followed by a leisurely run to Richmond.  We could not take advantage of the free flow window at Richmond as we were booked into W India dock at 10am.  We thus all (bar 1 boat from MTYC) packed into the lock at Richmond (£11 per boat!!)  We were already 40mins behind schedule by the time the lock gates opened to start the cruise proper.  Russ and Mary aboard Blue Dimension were making their first trip onto the tidal Thames, and Nick (who, with Tracie, were guests aboard Ginista) had kindly agreed to crew with them and offer his considerable experience for the trip.  The boats inevitably separated as the cruise progressed, with the faster boats arriving at W India around 1015, only to learn that the lift bridge would not be opened for us.  As we were near HW, this meant the early arriving boats had to wait outside the dock until the tide dropped sufficiently to allow us to enter under the bridge.  It did, however, allow time for the slower boats to arrive and all entered the lock around 1045am, followed by mooring within the (huge!) dock itself.  Moorings are very secure, however, and there are (somewhat basic) toilet and shower facilities available.  The rest of the day was whiled away with socialising.  Crews did their own thing on the Saturday evening, most eating out in the local bars and restaurants.  Tony and Sharon, together with Nick and Tracie and John and Geraldine made their way into town to meet up with Emilia for a meal followed by a theatre visit to see Grease (The Musical) at the Dominion Theatre.  This proved to be quite an eventful experience as two rowdy couples seated immediately behind our group eventually had to be escorted from the theatre under arrest by the police (and as an indirect result of a complaint by John!)  This delayed the second half of the show by half an hour.  The fracas even made it onto Sky news, with showed a video clip in which our group can (just) be made out!

​Sunday was a free day, and crews did their own thing, though most seemed to gravitate to the Trafalgar pub in Greenwich around lunchtime!  We gathered back at the boats in time for a meal out in the nearby Indian restaurant, followed by a “pontoon party” organised by Mandy at which crews from both clubs mingled to enjoy (more!) food and drink.  This finally broke up around midnight.

​The return trip was less constrained by timings (though Chris and Tony pressed for an earlier start than had been in the original passage plan) and proved to be very enjoyable.  The harbour master had booked a bridge-lift for 0930, so exiting the lock was straightforward.  Albany boats led the way in very pleasant weather, with opportunities for photographs as we passed under Tower Bridge and again as we passed by the Houses of Parliament.  With the aid of a 2-3 knot flood tide, we made the trip back to Teddington in very good time.  Enterprise, Blue Dimension and Ginista paused at Teddington for a late lunch (and to allow honorary AMYC member Jasmine, the Italian Greyhound, off for a pee!)  We then completed the journey back to Penton Hook, arriving around 7pm.

​Many thanks are due to MTYC (especially Dennis) for the organisation and the original invitation.
As always, the greatest thanks are due to the members of Albany MYC who attended for their brilliant company.

​Four boats made the trip to Windsor.  Enterprise, Ginista, Laird Tommy and Beatrice Rose. 
Chris and Lin aboard Enterprise had arrived early (as usual!) and greeted us onto a bank mooring on Baths Island.  The weather was balmy, and we enjoyed a casual afternoon of gossip and drinking.

​John had booked us on a tour of the Windsor and Eton Brewery on the Saturday morning, and this turned out to be most entertaining and enjoyable, even for those whose first love is not beer!  “Wildman Willy” gave us the escorted tour, which was interspersed with generous samples of their various brews.  We followed the tour with a delicious lunch in their bar / taproom before adjourning back to the boats for an alcohol induced nap!  

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​ On Sunday morning we were graced with the presence of King Charles and Queen Camilla (aka Chris and Lin) whose somewhat creepy picture can be seen alongside!  We had taken the opportunity of booking a table the previous day to watch the ladies World Cup Final in the Windsor Brewery bar. Sadly, England Ladies could not quite clinch the perfect result, losing 1-0 to Spain, but the atmosphere in the bar was terrific.  Two crews (Chris and Lin and Tony and Sharon) then enjoyed a full Sunday Roast at Browns Restaurant in Windsor.

​Many thanks to John for organising the Brewery trip, and to all who attended for their excellent company.

On a summer’s evening in August, a number of Albany members gathered for a barbecue, at Geraldine’s invitation, at the Penton Hook Marina BBQ area and despite the weather, a good time was had by all.

​The weather was typically British in that sometimes it was dry but mostly not!  However, this did not dampen our spirits as we enjoyed the food that we had each brought with us, cooked on the BBQ by John, together with a tasty range of salads, rolls and some utterly delectable strawberries and cream all of which were organised by Geraldine.  Mandy shared a delicious home-made Lemon Drizzle Cake and Mary shared some very moreish chocolates.  

​All of this contributed to a thoroughly enjoyable and very sociable evening as can be seen from the photos.

​Special thanks must go to Geraldine for both suggesting and organising this enjoyable event and to John for managing the BBQ with good humour despite the constantly changing weather.