At the start of September we were dashing up to Bishop Stortford on the Stort Navigation. It is quite a strenuous trip if you are rushing and as it is so pretty up there we will have to go again at a more leisurely pace. We arrived at the Head of Navigation, did a little shopping, and started back again as we had a deadline to be back at Limehouse Basin. We had a very long first day of the month as we stopped for fuel at Hallingbury Marina and then got stuck for an our at Latton Island Mill Lock as it just would not make a level. We ended up mooring up at 2030 in the pitch black.
A very convoluted foot bridge on the outskirts of Bishop Stortford on our way south again. We stopped for another night at Waltham Marshes were I was able to pick some pears and brambles. We were meeting up with our daughter at Tottenham Hale and then stayed put the next day as we were also meeting Helen's Uncle and Aunt the following day.
We then continued down the Lea Navigation and jusy by the junction with the Hertford Union Canal is the Olympic Stadium. I wonder when we will be able to navigate freely around that area? There is much to see on the Lower Lee Navigation.
A little further on is Three Mills. There have been mills on this site since the Domesday Book records and two of the three today are tidal mills. They look well worth a visit but I think they only open on Sunday's. We made our way down to Limehouse Basin and there met up with the rest of the St. Pancras Cruising Club. We had out briefing in the Cruising Association by the lock and then were early to bed for our trip out on to the Thames to see the Tall Ships.
We left the Basin and headed back up Limehouse Cut where we had permission to enter Bow Back River and exit City Mill Lock on the level. We then headed down Wall River and the Prrescot Channel to Three Mills Lock. We were penned down in groups and above we are leaving this mechanised lock and entering the tidal Bow Creek. The river has a couple of 360 bends in it before reaching the Thames Proper right opposite the O2 Arena.
Lotus, on of our companions, just heading up river on the Thames with the dramatic backdrop of the O2 Arena. I wish somebody had taken that photo of us!
As we wended up river we passed several of the smaller sailing ships moving but soon turned south theto explore Deptford Creek Above is the lifting railway bridge that now takes the underground and doesn't lift up as there is no marine traffic that requires it anymore.
Moored to buoys just near the entrance to Deptford Creek is the Europa. It is owned by Hapag Lloyed and is 199 mts long and is 28,890 GT. It is registered in the Bahamas and can take 408 passengers awith 275 crew and for twelve years in a row won best cruise ship in the world. It certainly puts other boats in our flotilla to scale.
The 'Dar Mlodziezy' is a Polish Training full rigged ship that was built in 1981 as the first of six similar vessels. She was built in Gdansk and registered in Gdynia. At 109mts long she is very impressive and can carry a crew of 40 with 136 cadets. She can do 12 kts under power and has done 16 kts under full sail. Now I bet that is impressive!
The 'Hydrogen' was built in 1906 and is the largest surviving wooden barge. In WWII she went to the Clyde for war work and had an engine fitted and was de-rigged. She finished work in 1976 and in the 80's was bought by Bells Whiskey who re-rigged her and used her for promotional work. In 1992 she was sold again to become part of the Topsail Fleet and earns her way still on charters etc, Between the Wars many of these vessels would have been seen up and down the east coast, and even further afield.
By now we had sailed round the Isle Of Dogs and were at the western end of the docks. There were many speed boats going up and down at a great rate of knots causing big wakes to thrill their customers. That coupled with the normal ferry traffic caused a bit of a chop but nothing too bad. As we neared the lock back into Limehouse Basin we got a good view of Canary Wharf.
There was a bit of a wait as they had to pen us up into the Basin in groups so we spent the time just stemming the tide just off the lock entrance, which can be seen just at the bow of the narrow boat. This area is full of history and is worth a stroll around and Canary wharf and the museums are not far away at all.
It was still only lunchtime by the time we had all got tied up again so we went back out, over the Emirates Sky Bridge cable car to visit Greenwich and soak up some of the atmosphere. By the time we got back to the boat the sun was going down on a very enjoyable and tiring day.
It was still only 5th of the month and we had lots more to do in September so I have split it up into a few parts.
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