That evening Wendy and I poured over the tide tables for Teddington and Richmond because the passage has to be carefully timed to ensure there is enough depth of water there and at Brentford to turn up onto the Grand Union and before the Thames Lock shuts for the night.
Calculations complete and we settled for an early night (unusual for us!).
We set off in good time in the morning, the Thames seeming to change character in this final stretch before Kew. It seemed even wider, with frequent large islands, either occupied by houses or houseboats.At the islands it was really guesswork as to which way to go often just following the keep right convention of the waterways. Signposts on the Thames are few and those that are there are so small and badly maintained that you really need binoculars to read them in good time. A plea here to the Environment Agency to improve them.
This wagtail hitched a ride for a while, I think probably looking for a snack
An amazing window on the side of this barge
In the distance is Hampton with the graceful tower of St Mary's Church
Sunbury Court
It was built in 1723 by John Witt, just prior to his marriage, more than forty cooks, chambermaids, butlers, valets, coachmen, footmen, housemaids anti gardeners were required to ensure its smooth and efficient running.
Not only did the estate then sprawl over more than one hundred acres, but it also extended to the banks of the Thames and included the two islands now covered by parks and private residences. Its main building with its stables, coach houses, yards, gardens, orchards and pastures, was completely enclosed by it's brick wall.
It is used as a conference centre by the Salvation Army but undergoing considerable restoration therefore closed since January 2013.
Houseboats increase in popularity creating interesting communities on Tagg's Island. It was once the base of the impresario Fred Karno, mentor of Charlie Chaplin to mention only one of his talents. He had an elegant houseboat built for him in 1913, called Astoria and costing the equivalent of £1million today.
Some comical topiary at Molesley Lock
Hampton Court Bridge, designed by Sir Edward Lutyens and opened in 1933 by the Prince of Wales.
who was to become, briefly, Edward VIII
Hampton Court Palace
A sumptuous Tudor Palace designed to compete with Versailles and surrendered to Henry VIII by Cardinal Wolsey. The rest .........is just the history we all learnt about in school
As we had plenty of time we moored up to walk Tara and have lunch. We did do a bit of sightseeing too.......it is a magnificent pad.
On the south side of the palace is the Privy Garden bounded by semi-circular wrought iron gates by Jean Tijou.This garden, originally William III's private garden, was replanted in 1992 in period style with manicured hollies and yews along a geometric system of paths.
Each panel represents a country of the realm
Painted in gold leaf
Now protected from the public by a new perimeter fence which makes photography of the palace rather difficult......
Tara wanting to know if there was any lunch for her
A you can imagine she is very difficult to resist
Try resisting this look........
Following our plans to catch the tides we set off in good time for Richmond.
We had been looking for a Huf Haus all the way along the Thames and I am reliably informed by Wendy that this is one. She knows about these things you see.
This boat was called Ark Nouveau but I think Yellow Submarine would have been a worthy name
Then we went from this huge barge
To this graveyard of boats, a lot of which were old working boats.
Just before we got to Teddington Locks I thought I would just phone them to double check our calculations. They said that we were too early so we found some ideal moorings in Kingston to stop for a while and explore.
Kingston Bridge
Kingston Bridge was the only crossing of the river between London Bridge and Staines Bridge until Putney Bridge was opened in 1729, with a reference in 1318 describing it as in a dangerous condition.This contributed greatly to Kingston's success as a medieval market town. According to John Leland, writing in under the Tudors there was a bridge in Saxon times. He wrote "And yn the old tyme the commune saying ys that the bridge where the commun passage was over the Tamise was lower on the ryver then it is now.
And ye olde boatwoman in front of ye olde mosaic in Kingston
Both Wendy and I was very impressed with the waterfront in Kingston. These 3 boats raised our curiosity as they appeared to be 3 different residences. There's one to let if you're interested.
Once we'd locked out of Teddington we were still ahead of high tide so motoring into the tide a bit. So lots of time to admire the scenery.
Teddington Locks mark the tidal limit of the River Thames. There are 3 chambers, the largest is 650 ft. long used for the massive barges. We used the medium sized one!
It is a very beautiful and graceful part of the river between Teddington and Richmond
Views of Star and Garter Home
The Star & Garter Committee was established in 1915 under the auspices of the British Red Cross Society to care for the severely disabled young men returning from the battlegrounds of the First World War. It was Queen Mary who first expressed concern for the future of these young men, and Her Majesty charged the British Red Cross Society with the task of finding a " permanent haven " for them. The Auctioneers and Estate Agents Institute purchased the old Star &Garter hotel on Richmond Hill and handed the deeds to Queen Mary who, in turn, entrusted the building to the British Red Cross.
Richmond Bridge 1777
Richmond river front. Would have been nice to stop to have a gander but there were no visitor moorings. Just beyond the bridge was the lock ????
No sign of a lock but some flooded roads
Started to panic, thought we had missed a turn due to poor signage. Then we remembered that during 2 hours after high water until 2 hours before the next high water sluices are lowered into the water to maintain an artificial depth of 5 feet 9 inches and boats have to use the lock. When the sluices are raised boats pass unhindered not needing the lock. Doh!!
So the next junction to spot was the left turn into the Grand Union. And, you've guessed it, no signpost and I had a choice of 3 channels. With the help of the O.S. maps in the Nicholson guide I did manage to turn up the correct channel but only at the last moment. And not with a great deal of panache caused by the melee of currents at the junction.
Approaching Thames Locks. Under the control of the Port of London. What a dreadful place!
It was dark, dingy, full of sinister looking boats, it had quite a Dickensian atmosphere. There was a large sign saying 'Welcome To Thames Locks' but you didn't feel the least bit welcome. We waited outside the lock.......nowhere to moor just steps up to the tiny quay. I sounded my horn to alert anyone present we were there.......no sign of life.
We called the emergency numbers.......unobtainable.
In desperation I phoned Teddington Lock as that was where we saw the last friendly face and then whilst on the phone the lock suddenly started to open and a man appeared on the dock.
So please Port of London, you really need to smarten up your act.
The man was very nice, took the boat details and that was it really. Didn't check for contraband, thank goodness !!
Approaching Thames Gauging Locks.
There was a much better lay-by with bollards for the lock. Still no instructions. No sign of life and I had expected it to be manned. So I set off on a mission. I felt a bit like Annika Rice trying the find clues and answers. Then I spotted this heron and instantly felt much better
I even managed to snap this shot.....always wanted one in flight so I was chuffed. Okay, I know it's flying away from me but it's a start
Then he settled and kept a watchful eye. Well that's what it seemed like
Gauging locks with the master control panel just in view on the left. There are 2 locks and it is a bit like a Mensa test to sort it out. It took a while but we got through.
To discover no moorings available in the basin. Parked neatly into the only space available to discover painted faintly on the towpath that it was restricted to boats using the facilities only. Signage again!
Sympathetic with our plight, a couple very kindly allowed us to raft up with them. But we only stopped with them a short while as we did find some moorings later about a mile further on.
There was a lovely park nearby to walk Tara, so things were looking up again.
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