The link for the final (very scary) bit is…
Day 8, Isleworth to Thames Barrier
We stored the canoe on the roof of the Swan Inn, Isleworth (these photos show us getting it back down in the morning). Dean, the Landlord, and Chef thought it was great fun, I suspect we’ll be the talking point of the pub for weeks to come!
Champing at the bit – waiting for high tide (1:30pm) so we can ride it down to the Barrier, note how steep the slipway is.
Craven Cottage (Fulham FC) from the back – a view most people don't get to see
So Mr & Mrs MP, about these expenses you’ve been claiming…
Here’s some video Nigel took while we were desperately hanging on to the boat, unfortunately we couldn’t video when it was really scary as we were busy squeezing any remaining sap out of the wooden paddles.
it really was very scary, the pleasure boat captains just want to do their job… ferry passengers from A, to B, to C, etc. they have no real interest in people that are on the river for their own enjoyment. Some of the boats are very large and very fast and create a wash that is really hard to ride, it’s even worse when it reflects off the walls or mixes with other boats’ wakes , it’s like paddling a matchbox through a washing machine.
These raisins lasted us all week and were a great buy. Here we were holed up having a bit of a rest under Festival Pier, just after Westminster bridge.
This needs no introduction
HMS Belfast… very poignant for Nigel… coming from Nor’n Ireland
A bit closer now
Hey, if we’d been 5 minutes later we could have gone under the open bridge… hmmm, I think not
A little while later we came across the Greenwich Observatory then…
The O2 of 72o2 (Severn to O2)!!
Finally(ish), the Thames Barrier and THE END………
Just before we went through the barrier, the VTS (Vessel Transit Service – they manage the shipping for the Port of London Authority) announced over the VHF to an approaching high speed ferry, “A canoe is heading through the barrier – keep a close watch” – hey, we’re famous!
Here’s the video…
Looking back towards Canary Wharf, you can see the Thames Barrier silhouetted against Docklands…
The real end…. a mile down river at Barge House Causeway (Victoria Gardens).
But first, there is something, somehow, perverse and voyeuristic about this photo Tina took of us using the self timer to take a photo of ourselves…
… what do you think?
Finally, I have to say this has been one of the scariest days of my life… but it’s amazing how much sweeter is the taste of achievement…
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