Days 31 to 37: Berkhamsted to Packet Boat Marina, Uxbridge

We received news that we wouldn't be able to join the Thames at Brentford, as we'd planned, due to a lock under repair.  The options were to retrace our steps up the Grand Union, or to join the Thames at Limehouse.  Reluctant to return up the GU with its heavy locks, we were fortunate to find a spare place on a convoy on Tuesday 10th June led by Simon Judge of St Pancras Cruising Club. He would lead 4 boats, including Catnap, through Limehouse Lock and up to Teddington, a journey of around 4 hours. 

So much for dipping a toe in the water at Brentford! Limehouse involves possibly the busiest section of the Thames, passing as it does Tower Bridge, the Houses of Parliament, the London Eye. Simon joined us to our fellow convoy members on WhatsApp, sent lots of useful information like which arch to use at each of the 27 bridges up to Teddington and how to secure the boat inside Limehouse Lock to avoid being sucked out through the bottom gates prematurely.

Still getting used to the new itinerary, we booked a berth at Packet Boat Marina for 4 nights, in order to have a rest (!) and to meet our friends at a pub in Twickenham.  The journey down from Berkhamsted was uneventful and we did the final 5 locks with a nice couple who were also heading to Limehouse, but from there cruising up the Rivers Lea and Stort rather than going out onto the Thames.

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