So, at the start of the year the Rear commodore decided that 3 months in Florida

was preferable to living through the wind and rain of our Winter of 2018. Can’t understand it can you? But anyway Circe Ann did come back and Derek Foxwell was presented with his Rear’s regalia the Flower Power event. Hurrah, we have a Rear.

Unfortunately the Rear coud not make the May bank holiday cruise to West india Dock, so for the short tip on Friday Night, May 4th to Chiswick Don was seconded to rear (for a change). Tweleve boats made the trip to West india and 6 of  us left for a gorgeous evening cruise to Chiswick pier. This really was the weekend boating was made for. It was warm, sunny, balmy and the Thames stunningly beautiful. We tied up at Chiswick. Our gorgeous Carol on Carron may never be allowed to forget that she called the RNLI boats ‘those orange things’. We thought we were in a specsaver advert. But she was particularly annoyed with her faux pax because she was on the Committee that raised the money to buy them!

We left Chiswick at 10am on Saturday morning. We now had Conway Star acting as rear. Rear number 3 so far. We had a blissful trip downriver to West India docks, the entrance is opposite the O2 arena so we saw most of the London sights.

On Sunday we all did our own thing again. There is lots to do round here, the shopping centre is huge including the biggest Waitrose in the UK, restaurants everywhere, the Thames Path, Greenwich, and some people even conveniently had family in the area. Andrew and I and co set off for Greenwich via the underwater pedestrian tunnel. the weather was perfect.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Greenwich was as fascinating (and busy!) as ever. We particularly enjoyed the market, but the food there has some way to go to compete with Borough market.

The next day we catch the 4pm lock out of West India. Andrew B volunteered to be rear. Rear number 4 that is. But unfortunately an engine problem meant he had to delay departure, so Flying Colours volunteered, our rear number 5.

Fantastic trip through London on Monday, dont you just love this weather. Straight through Richmond, and straight into the barge lock at Teddington, we were back at the club moorings by 8pm. With thanks to Mandy, hovering on Richmond Bridge (!) for the final aerial shot of Etta.

And as usual thanks to all you lot for making it such a great weekend – Brainwave, Caleg, Caron,  Conway Star, For Petes Sake, Flying Colours, Free spirit, Knot Arf, Odyssea, Speedbird, Vivacious and all the gustes on-board, and Mike and Lorna and many and jeremy for visiting by car. And for Mandy and Jeremy rushing from their Richmond Bridge photo session to TMYC to be there to take our ropes!

Oh, and thanks to the one Vice and the 5 Rears!