Dodgems with canoeists and dinghies

I suppose it was to be expected, Saturday night in Stains and the revellers came out to play. By 1.30am it all went quiet, at last now for some shuteye. 3 am and more laughing and shouting outside FS. Agh...pillow over head and still the noise was heard. Eventually, all was still and thank goodness for the clocks going back. The clock showed 9am when we awoke.  Oh cripes...how late? but we had forgotten to turn the hands back an hour. So we were not as late getting underway as we thought.

A welcome sight greeted us not long after leaving Shepperton lock. There was Chris with diesel boat Merchant moored on the bank. Prices on the Thames are not cheap and even Chris was charging 99p litre. But we needed diesel and put 50 quids worth in. That will do until we get further up the GU.

It was sunshine and showers today, more showers than sunshine really and very, very cold. That wind chill.....cut right through you. Soon forgot about it though, when I almost ran into a coxless four as they overtook and then cut right in front of FS's bow. Worse was to come because they stopped!!!!  FS was bearing down on them,  I'm now in reverse but as you know, narrowboats are notoriously bad at stopping instantaneously and I shout a warning. In fact, the warning was more of a long string of loud expletives. Blooming 'eck... they were looking straight at me so why they didn't try to get out of the way I will never know.  I missed, more by luck than judgement and with them also suddenly realising they were about to be sliced in two, with a dip of the blades in the water moved to the side.

A moment after this photo the boat on the left turned across the bow and stopped. The boat on the right also stopped in front of FS but a least we were far enough apart as shown in the next photo

 Thinking this was as bad as it gets on the Thames another heart-stopping moment as we meet sailing dinghies. The first lot (white sails) were very aware of us and kept well away. The second lot though (blue sails) in race mode and would not let anything come between them and the winning post. The photos tell the tale.

Turned right in front of us.

Then backtracks to our stern.

More dinghies cutting in front

Never was a person so glad to reach Sunbury lock and away from those boats. The last lock Molesey and that's us finished for the day. This is the lock due to close tomorrow and it does appear obvious as to why these gates are to be replaced. Have yet to see any sign of EA crane or work boats so will the lock shut tomorrow? Hmmm. Anyway, it doesn't matter to us now as we are on the right side of the stoppage.

Molesey lock leaking top gates

Trying to get off the lock landing Ian had to shove the bow out. That moored boat on the landing caused no end of problems.

Why doesn't EA do something about this?

 The moorings at Hampton Court was devoid of any boats, never seen that before. With the first 24 hours free, tomorrow we will go for a visit.

 On the journey,

Love it or hate it. I'm undecided.

And seen on route,

A tufted duck

Egyptian Goose