DREAMER NARROWBOAT: Molesey Lock to Laleham

Friday, 20th June 2014

Life on the Thames has been very restful over the last few days. Susan had to go to Waltham Abbey to have some sister and family time whilst Pete and Mazey stayed with me at Hampton Court Palace.

Today, the family were back together so decided to cruise. At Molesey Lock I get filled-up with water and the rubbish is taken off.

We cruise by the many lovely houseboats and Garrick's Temple where all the visitor moorings have been taken up by permanent boaters. There is another submerged/sinking narrowboat..... such a shame!! We also see the Hampton Ferry...... taking humans across the river....

Garrick's Temple

Hampton Ferry

We cruise by "Astoria" at Garrick's Temple. Built in 1913 by the mentor of Charlie Chaplin, Fred Karno, and now fully restored by Dave Gilmour of Pink Floyd and used as a recording studio.

Recording studio "Asoria"

Pete cruises me to the left arm of Platt's Eyot.

End of Platt's Eyot

We go through Sunbury Lock and meet up with two other narrowboats (Sulis and Ginny). "Sulis" is heading to Bristol and "Ginny" is heading to Oxford. As we exit the lock we see three cruiser style boats waiting to enter it.

Exiting Sunbury Lock

We go under the amazing Walton on Thames bridge then along Desborough Cut (saves 3/4 mile from the original river) prior to Shepperton Lock. Susan says to Pete that, thankfully, it is much quieter on the river today and she is enjoying the journey..... so am I. We see the entrance to the Way Navigation.

Walton on Thames Bridge

Shepperton Lock

Sulis moor up after Shepperton Lock at a very attractive pub - Thames Court. The mooring allows only two boats. Amazing views on the lower Thames include: amazing houses (grand manors, bungalows and chalets), many boats (all types), a rubbish boat full of rusty shopping trollies from dredging by the Environment Agency, Houseboat being moved and a very large houseboat base being moved.

Rubbish from dredging

Base of a houseboat being moved

Houseboat on the move

Meandering along, I go under Chertsey Bridge before entering Chertsey Lock.

Chertsey Bridge

Chertsey Lock

Our new mooring is at Laleham which is on the opposite side of the river to Thorpe Park. Susan loves it here as she watches the many dragonflies darting across the bank. Susan also states to Pete that it is 'Flip Flop Day' and promptly goes and puts hers on!!

The family go for a walk into the village and find the local pub called the Three Horseshoes. Susan says that she enjoyed her Pimms. When they get back to the mooring I have been joined by many cruisers.