A meeting takes place

It is so nice when fellow bloggers put themselves out so that a meet and greet can take place. We had been in contact with Sue and Richard (Indigo Dream) and had arranged to meet them along the GU after Brentford before we turned off at Bulls Bridge. The original plan was for Indigo Dream and Matilda Rose, with Jill and Graham, to leave Teddington on Sunday's tide and arrive at Thames lock in Brentford later in the day. So as far as we were concerned 2 boats would arrive sometime either Sunday or Monday and we found a good mooring by the Fox Pub ready for when they arrived. So I was somewhat confused when I received a communication from Richard to say they would be with us on Sunday morning and would be bringing breakfast. The timing would depend on the road closures due to a bike race that was following the Olympic route taken last year. Now that did confuse me! What would road closures have to do with bringing two boats along the GU? Turns out the plan had changed somewhat and instead of arriving by boat they would come by car! Now for me that was something very special. To make the effort of still coming to see us especially when Richard and Andy had to go and fetch their cars, was humbling. When they did arrive in Richard and Sue car  they came with 5 of their lovely hounds, as well as Jill and Graham and Sarah and Andy ( you may know them by a blog called Dogs on Tour.) Breakfast consisted of yummy hot bread and cheese with two different sorts of jams made by Sues fair hand. I make vast quantities of tea and coffee's and for at least two hours we all sat in the sunshine outside the boat enjoying good company and great conversation.There was much hilarity when one of the hounds helped himself to some of my banana cake set out on our small table. Just the right head height and much to much of a temptation not to help himself ( Not sure which hound as they all look very similar ) Jade seemed quite indifferent to 5 hounds invading her space, after all there was too many willing hands to feed her titbits.Thanks for a really lovely morning and hope to meet you all again in the future.

From L to R Jill, Graham, Andy, Sue (at the back) Richard (sitting down) Sarah and Ian. Apart from Jade in the front all the hounds looked the same. I only recognised Ty because of his lovely bright green bandage on his back leg!

After peace resumed and washing up done, we decided to make tracks and get Hanwell flight out of the way. Bulls bridge was our destination and even though we travelled up the flight very slowly with 2 girls on their live aboard residential boat who, incidentally, had only ever done a few locks in the two years of owning the boat, and meeting a drunkard in the top lock who couldn't steer the boat in a straight line which, consequently, meant he kept crashing into the lock walls before he managed to finally get out of the lock, we finally moored by the Tesco 24 hour moorings after 2 hours of travel. The sun is still shinning and we are enjoying a cool beer. Tomorrow we head for Paddington.

First lock on the Hanwell flight

And this syringe stuck to the lock wall!

Passing Reckless from the TV program. I asked the new owner if much work had to be done. He said most of the interior has now been burnt in his stove!

Going up with newbe lockers!

The girl steering couldn't see over the top. No wonder she kept asking for help from her friend.

The now demolished Bulls bridge facility block. A temporary Elsan disposal has been put in place near to the lock.

 This Budgie landed on the towpath and then nearly drowned itself when he tried to land in the water. Thankfully he managed to take off again but an escapee from his cage I think!

And finally:-

Gatekeeper butterfly

Ladybird nymph

Ladybird pupa

Lady pupa in its moult