Copperkins on the Thames May 2005

Several years ago, we had thought of doing the big London ring (Grand Union, Paddington, out at Limehouse, in at Oxford and back up the Oxford) but we decided to go on a Manchester Ship Canal cruise instead. Since then, Copperkins mooring were a bit far north to enable this trip to be done in two weeks but when she moved to Stockton Top in early 2005, it looked like the trip was "on". Having consulted all available canal planners, we found that although the trip was possible in two weeks it would be hard going. We spoke to Robert and Coral who were due out after us and they kindly lent us a few extra days if we needed them. We drove down on the Thursday evening (instead of Friday morning) and as soon as Copperkins had had her planned service, we set off. However, as we reversed out of the marina, the same thought struck us both - our life jackets were on Gamebird in Scotland and as we always wear them on tidal waters, we quickly backtracked and borrowed a couple from OwnerShips. |Earlier in the morning while chatting to John and Neve (Silkwood and Rufford) they offered to come out and help with the locks near where they live. As that part of the Grand Union is heavily locked, we took them up on the offer!

I can't remember where  all we moored overnight but I do remember the first one - Norton junction. I remember it as this was the first time an establishment in England refused to accept Scottish notes; and the food was a bit grim.

We did some long days going down the Grand Union but the weather was kind and as we approached Berkhamstead, we gave John and Neve a ring and we had super days locking with them. We did something like 38 locks in 17 miles that day. With good company like John and Neve the time just flew past but I think w all knew that we had done a good days work by the end of it.  Although this was a bank holiday weekend, and there were lots of boats about they were all moored! I think we shared less than ten locks between Stockton and Limehouse. We pressed on and at Bulls Bridge we were joined by Coral, a fellow owner who we were delighted to have on board for the next few days. Coal opted for a good nights sleep and went off each evening to stay with a friend in London, joining us again before we set off in the morning. When we turned along the Paddington Arm, this was new canal to all of us and we were pleasantly surprised at how rural some of it is and we marvelled at the art work under bridges etc. I am not talking about graffiti but about genuine art work which we were surprised had been left unmolested. That evening, we moored along side SOMA, which is owned and lived on by Mitch and his boys,  members of the Bridge 19-40 Canal Society. Mitch's job had taken him form London to Scotland a few years before and he had taken SOMA with him and had her completely rebuilt there. She is a very modern boat, having a compost loo, uses canal water for all on board use and is equipped with a train set and tracks! We were joined that night by Peter and Elaine, other Copperkins owners and we had a very pleasant evening catching up with Mitch's news since he came back to London last autumn. The next day we passed Little Venice and made our way to Limehouse, going through Regents Park Zoo and calling in at the London Canal Museum on the way.  At Limehouse, we moored and went to speak to the lock keeper who gave us lots of information on the Thames up to Teddington and told us that we would go out at 10 the next morning. Next morning, we were all up in plenty of time to get dogs walked, and the boat prepared for going onto the Thames. All roof furniture was tied down. the cockpit vents were cleared of any debris, the anchor was taken out of storage and firmly attached, the GPS and VHF systems were switched on  and we were all ready to head for the lock as ten o'clock approached. There were 8 of us on board. As well as Coral, Peter and Elaine, we were joined by another Copperkins owner, Janet,  and John and Neve. Everyone , including the dogs, was on the front deck (it was a bit crowded)  and I was sat the back with Iain reading guides, maps and taking photos. It was a high tide and we were being swept along quite nicely, in fact we arrived at Richmond when the barriers were still down! We had been concerned about the big trip boats but we had no problem with them or the tug towing 5 containers which came up behind us as we approached Tower Bridge. Just after we passed the Houses of Parliament (the General Election had been the day before) we were passed by the Police launch which circled and came along side indicating that he wished to board Copperkins. I think it was the sight of all the passengers on the front deck which made him suspicious, or it could have been the Scottish Merchants flag..... He came on board and explained that he was empowered to do so and he was looking for illegal immigrants, drug runners and asylum seekers! When he found that Iain is also in the Police, the form filling became a formality , although it did take about 25 minutes and he declined our offer of seeing over the boat and interviewing all our passengers.

When  we got to Richmond the barrier was still down and as we circled, it was raised and we went on our way to Teddington where we stopped for a bit of lunch after we were through the lock.