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Christmas Dinner 2007 - The Report
In the event, 31 members of the Brentford Christmas Club turned out in their best bibs and tuckers, and on their best behaviour, for the annual Dinner.
This year we chose the Weir restaurant in Brentford, and they did us proud. The service was friendly and efficient, everyone got what they had ordered (thanks to Neilo's patented tobleroid tags) and it all tasted delicious, except for the paper hats, which looked ridiculous but festive.
Many thanks to Peter Dignam for his exhaustive sampling of local watering holes, and ruthless haggling, to Neilo for whipping and tracking, and to Veronika for her adroit financial management.
Christmas has started.
by Clive Evans
PLA Boat Naming Ceremony
Shepperton Cruise Photos
It was the largest expeditionary force mounted this year: no less than four boats (Club Claret, Hebe 3, Lazy II, and Meanwhile) all left the marina at 1530, and Jade followed on next morning with reinforcements. Saturday evening found us moored at Sunbury, having had a most pleasant trip in full sunshine. We celebrated in the usual fashion, ie beer and curry.
Next day, busses were pressed into service to bring more crew, Jade arrived bang on schedule but had to send one crewmember home for bad behaviour. 1115 saw us in the Sunbury lock, ready for the short trip to Walton and a reunion with Elkie and Darren. As usual they had laid on lashings of salad and puds, barbeques were ignited and all manner of food appeared from the holds, and was slowly blackened.
The afternoon passed very pleasantly, some went paddling in canoes, some talked of nude bathing, others merely dozed. At 1530, we packed up and set off back to Brentford - the weather was kind, it was another great day on the river. Sadly, discipline broke down at Thames Ditton, and some skippers had to be prised out of a public house, but we all arrived back in port in good order at 1900.
Our collective thanks to Elkie and Darren for their hospitality: there is no doubt that this is one of the most popular events on the BCC calendar, and there is every chance that we will be back next year.
by Clive Evans
The Great River Race
Click here for a few "river race photos" taken from the Brentford Dock river bank on Saturday afternoon.
River Wey Cruise - The Report
We have some photos taken by Terry Loring, from this 3 day event on the River Wey
We nearly didn't go! On the day before our planned departure, the boards at Teddington and beyond were red, because of the amount of water still coming downstream from the previous floods. But we held our nerve and the next day, the boards were set to yellow and four boats (Caterina Clare, Jade, The Duchesss and Club Claret) slipped quietly out into the river on the first leg of this new venture.
We pushed upriver against a strong flow, which made the going rather heavy - especially for The Duchess, who decided to call it quits at Hampton Court. At Shepperton, Jade pulled in to the marina - always the plan - because she would not have got far along the Wey. So it was just two boats who finally moored up as darkness fell at Thames lock.
The second day was very pleasant indeed, pottering down the Wey in full sunshine, through the locks and among the finest Surrey countryside. Moorings awaited us at Dapdune Wharf, which were idyllic - the Wharf is run (like the rest of the Wery navigation) by the NT, and they have made a very pleasant little museum out of the relics of waterway life in this area.
On day 3, there was a small mutiny by the Commodore, who positively refused to go any further and demanded a morning of slummocking in Guildford. This was duly provided, while Caterina Clare set off in the direction of Godalming after the full english at a nearby cafe. Fresh crew, and a large picnic arrived for Club Claret, and we set off back up the Wey to Send, where a large contingent of the Commodore's family joined us for dinner at the river's edge.
Day 4 saw yet more crew changes, and an early start on the long journey home. The only unhappy moment of the trip came when Marion was working the locks and had an argument with a windlass, which hit her squarely in the eye - a reminder of how large the forces are around a lock. Marion pressed on bravely, and we were back at Thames Lock by tea-time, handed in our windlasses, and ploughed on back into the Thames.
Just after Walton Bridge, we were joined by Porgy and Bess and flew downstream - there was still plenty of water flowing - to Teddington. There we waited in a convenient hostelry while the tide changed at Brentford, and set off on the final leg in time to free-flow triumphantly back into the marina.
A great trip, and a welcome addition to the BCC repertoire. All in all about a dozen members joined in for some part of the voyage. Many thanks to Veronika for a lot of work in planning the trip, organising the licences and fixing the weather.
by Clive Evans
Greenwich Cruise - The Report
Three boats set out on Saturday morning for a re-run of last year's inaugural trip to Greenwich. Friday had seen extraordinarily heavy rain, and most of it was pouring down the Thames as we left, adding to the tide which was also running in our favour. As a result with almost no need of engines, we coasted along at around 7 knots, through calm waters, sunshine and not much other traffic in sight.
We arrived at Greenwich in time for lunch, and had several hours in which to explore the Market, and other Greenwich attractions, including the new galleries at the Observatory.
The trip home was more eventful - not only was the weather less clement, but the water was rough between Limehouse and Westminster. But we ploughed on, cursing the highspeed ribs which were buzzing to and fro and adding to the waves, before reaching calmer waters. Although the tide was with us, the rainwater continued to flow, so we found ourselves pushing against it from Wandsworth to Brentford. The good news, however, was that our wiley Harbourmaster was able to let us in on freeflow, so we swept into the Marina is fine style.
Another memorable day - thanks to Jan and Leslie for organising.
by Clive Evans
Limehouse & Billingsgate Market - The Report
Club Claret (with a Danish crew) and Hebe3 (all British) eased out of Brentford Dock at high tide, and set off on another epic adventure. Again the safe haven was Limehouse, but this time the final objective was the Billingsgate Fish Market. We had a good trip down the river, arriving on schedule at Limehouse, where we settled into our moorings and into the Cruising Association, before setting off on a victualling exercise to the Grapes. We were joined by the Commodore's daughter plus admirer, and a merry evening ensued, taking on rations of fish and wine to sustain us for the coming adventure.
At 0500 (ie shortly after dawn) we all assembled, sang Happy Birthday to Anna-Mette and were whisked off to the market by hansom cab. There we wandered amazed at the great variety of sea creatures - some of it still wriggling - and were jostled by porters and customers alike. By 0600 we were ready for breakfast, and sat down with plates of eggs and bacon and mushrooms and tomatoes and mugs of tea. We then purchased a small sample of the available produce and looked in vain for the pubs that John had promised us. Sadly, he was thinking of the old Billingsgate market: pubs there are none nor any gin-sozzled floozies.
So we set off on foot for the return journey, and arrived back at Limehouse by 0730 having already done a day's work. We broke up into small groups and surveyed the area as we waited for the tide to rise, and then at noon set off on the return leg. Club Claret was awash with Champagne as we celebrated Anna-Mette's birthday again, Hebe 3 kept us amused and awake by performing acrobatics in mid-river. We arrived back at Brentford at 1445 and congratulated ourselves on another first. Thanks to John for the idea and the organisation.
by Clive
Limehouse and Bow Backrivers - June 2007
Intrepid is the word that springs inevitably to mind, when describing the players in this latest adventure to the lost world of the Lea. Setting out around dawn on Saturday, the first leg went smoothly enough - Club Claret purred down to Limehouse with the minimum of fuss. Lunch at the Cruising Association followed by a healthy snooze left us refreshed and ready for the events to come.
First we rendezvoused with the St Pancras Cruising Club team, who slipped into Limehouse Basin in their vast steel boats. We established that they would be going round the Isle of Dogs to Bow Creek, while we went up the Limehouse Cut, and into Bow Creek from the other end, planning to meet them at the junction with the Thames.
SPCC are the experts on the creeks and crannies of the Lea, and they told us that it would be quite possible to explore the Bow Backrivers, in particular the ring formed by the Lea Navigation, St Thomas' Creek, City Mill River and Old River Lea. So this is what we did: chugging gently through not much water we passed under railway bridges, road bridges and even sewer bridges, behind derelict workshops and past abandoned locks. It was not a pretty architectural scene, but a paradise for wild life: dragon flies buzzed, plants bloomed, ducks looked amazed to see us.
Quite probably we are some of the last people to see this wilderness as it is to be revitalised as part of the Olympic development, and on July 1st, one section will be shut while a new lock is built to allow the waterways to be used for the transportation of building materials.
Having returned to the Lea Navigation, we went through Bow Locks and into Bow Creek, which is not the little rivulet that its name implies. It is wide and deep and still used for commercial traffic, but its most interesting characteristic is the way it bends and twists: one minute the Dome was in front, then directly behind, and then in front again. Finally we emerged at the Thames, beside the lightship and the lighthouse and sure enough the SPCC narrowboats came forging into the creek at just that moment. We followed them back to Bow Locks.
Later that evening, we joined them for a barbeque at Three Mills which is a site of some interest with several well-preserved mill buildings including two oast houses. There is also an enormous branch of Tesco. During the evening, we met several members of the SPCC who are keen to maintain a relationship - they often pass through Brentford, and appear to enjoy ale.
The return trip on Sunday morning was fabulous: we had the Thames entirely to ourselves and a beautiful sunny morning to boot, with barely a breath of wind or a wave to be seen.
In all, a really great outing: we can definitely incorporate Bow into our regular Limehouse trips and it will be interesting to monitor the progress of the Olympic project. And we have some new friends in St Pancras, who are a great source of information about canals and creeks, with whom I plan to keep us in touch.
by Clive Evans
Pontoon Party - The photo report
Photos by Peter Dignam and Hans Styrnell.
The London Ring 11th to 13th of May - The Report
The 2007 Trip round the London Ring was huge. Whether it was the added excitement of going anti-clockwise, the pouring rain or the Commodore's birthday is hard to tell, but it was everything a BCC trip ought to be.
Friday began with the unsavoury news that Chris (Meanwhile) had lost control of his bowels and would not be coming. So it was just three boats (Club Claret, Hebe 3 and Porgy and Bess) that set off with the tide to Limehouse. The weather forecast was not favourable, but the weather itself not bad and the water much calmer than usual. So we had an excellent run through the City and on to the basin, where we were confronted by an astonishing amount of rubbish floating at the entrance. We ploughed through, of course, and moored up for lunch, which we took at the Grapes and at The Narrow.
Engines started at 1400 and we set off through East London and some locks all the way to Islington, where we stopped for the night at the Narrow Boat, right on the canalside. After a pleasant meal and some nightcaps, the crews dispersed either to local hotels or back to Brentford.
Saturday dawned rather gloomy, and rain was promised though not much actually appeared. We cruised through the Islington tunnel (Club Claret bouncing off alternate walls) through Regents Park and Camden and on to Little Venice, where first class passengers dined with the Commodore at Zizzi's and other ranks ate at the Bridge Public House.
Neil and Carol abseiled in from Bishops Bridge and we set out boldly once again in stately fashion through haunts of coot and hern, across the North Circular Road (I just love it!) to the Black Horse at Greenford. Some lack of discipline bacame apparent on this leg with unscheduled stops at places of refreshnment, into which there will be a full enquiry.
The Black Horse provided good beer, wine and excellent food all of which was most welcome. Crews eventually dispersed by bus and taxi back to their beds, while the Commodore and his Rear kept watch over the boats.
Sunday was the Commodore's birthday and the cause of much celebration. Crews returned bearing all manner of gifts: Paul brought a frying pan, eggs and bacon to provide a first class breakfast. John brought champagne to wash it down. An excellent start to the day, but there was more to come. Undeterred by rain, we set off on the final stretch along the Paddington arm to Bulls Bridge. Turning smartly to port, we arrived at the Norwood Top Lock and paused for breath.
As we got to the Hanwell flight itself we were greeted by more crew and the Commodore's family all of whom bent to the task of opening and closing locks, and in no time we were outside the Fox, soaking wet and in need of sustenance. The sustenance was excellent, and conviviality flowed but eventually we had to do the last few locks down through the new basin at Brentford, through the Gauging locks and up to Thames lock. We were too late for the tide, so we moored up by the towpath for the night.
Next day saw Porgy and Bess head off back to Sunbury, while Club Claret and Hebe 3 pulled round the corner and and into the Marina. Job done.
All in all, a really satisfactory event, but it leaves us with a tricky question: how shall we top it next year?
by Clive Evans
Steamboat in the Marina
The coming in of the steamboat was rather more dramatic than anybody desired.
The crew demanded to be let in while the lock team and various Marina experts advised them to await slack water, but they insisted.
This resulted in two abortive attempts which came around from the pontoon and hit the waterside wall before ever getting near the lock entrance.
Then Chris arrived and began to open the lock gates – thereby causing a very fast flow of water INTO the Marina as the high tide poured in at an alarming rate.
At the same time, the steamboat had gone downstream so as to get a clear run at the lock without risk of hitting the waterside edge again. So she came on literally full steam ahead and then got caught up in the influx of water and therefore went careering through the lock out of control and at a rate which suggested impending disaster as the lock gates were not yet fully open.
We all watched with baited breath as the boat was swept along into the starboard side of the lock and the boathooks and broom-handles the crew held out were snapped out of their hands like so much matchwood – which what the boat itself might have become as it then ricocheted off the wall toward the lock gate but fortunately the skipper managed to just aim directly for the widening gap and to a great sigh of relief, the boat passed through unscathed but for the only to be expected scratched and followed by the sight of the boathook looking like a submarine periscope rushing through the water as it too was swept along at a rate of knows behind the boat.
As I said, a far more dramatic entrance than any of us had anticipated!
by Peter Dignam
The Boat Race 2007 - The Report
Launch Party - The Report
Some 20 souls turned out for the launch party - with apologies from many more who were stricken with flu or similar complaints.
In a break with tradition, catering was handled by Mrs Commodore, Peter Dignam and Veronika (aka Brentford Catering Corporation). And the food was rated highly by all concerned, though they signally failed to eat it all. Drinks were merrily dispensed by Mel and her team, which added to the levels of conviviality and kept us nattering until chucking out time.
All in all, a very successful party, boding well for a successful and sociable season ahead.
by Clive
Limehouse Cruise 17 - 18 March - The Report
Lazy II, Hebe III, and Jade were joined by Tahoma for our first visit to Limehouse Marina this year.
After a good cruise down we locked in to a warm welcome; a good afternoon was spent in the Cruising Association, and enjoying the bright weather in the area. After drinks in the classical pub, The Grapes, we enjoyed an excellent curry at the Café Rajistan, who were pleased to see the Cruising Club again, and made us very welcome.
Our Cool Commodore, Clive, joined us for a good breakfast in La Verde Deli. Despite the closure of the Barrier on Sunday morning, owing to blustery weather conditions, we managed to lock out for a rocky ride home in the wind! A refreshing drink at the Tap was well appreciated as we discussed this enjoyable weekend.
by Victoria
If you went on this cruise, please send your photos to hans.styrnell@gmail.com and we will add them to the above slideshow.
The current photos are taken buy Paul, Derek and Clive.
Are you mariner or menace? - The Report
Most of the BCC skippers attended Anthony's annual refresher course on the rules of navigation at sea (and in the Thames).
As we munched on the Waterside Cafe's legendary bacon sandwiches, he tested our memories on the nuances of flags, sound signals and navigation lights. Crew members can bask in the knowledge that they are in safe hands even in foggy conditions. And at night, if confronted by a minesweeper proceeding backwards, towing a trawler, we shall recognise the situation and take the appropriate action, making the appropriate noises.
Thank you Anthony for a useful brush-up.
by Clive
Nautical Quiz - The Report
Twenty or so members attended the social evening. There was an excellent Chicken Curry with trimmings and bottles of premium beer (Theakston’s Old Peculiar, Fuller’s London Pride. White Knight and Speckled Hen) as well as the normal keg lagers.
Afterward there was a Nautical Quiz. The 40 questions were more on nautical history than seamanship, for example, what was the name of the boat from which a sharpshooter shot Nelson? There were also pictures of celebrities to name. Four teams competed and had their brains taxed. Dilys’s team with Derek and Chris won.
- Peter Dignam:
- bought the food
- cooked the Chicken Curry
- attended part of the BCC Committee meeting
- ran the Nautical Quiz
by Neil
2007 New Year’s Cruise - The Report
What a wonderful way to start the New Year! It was a bright, sunny day as our Commodore waved us off, and Lazy II and Sea Dog locked out to cruise upstream on the Thames. Crews chatted, and caught up after the recent festivities, while a couple lazed on the bow of Lazy II, making the most of this refreshing day on the River. We were welcomed at the Barmy Arms in Twickenham, where we enjoyed a good lunch.
A very strong current brought us back in no time, getting us to Brentford around 3pm, when we retired to the Brewery Tap to round off a superb day.
Photos by Clive and Hans
