On Wednesday, Panacea, Gnashers II and Doris Katia managed to leave the basin with a lot of help from BW and the Pride, Fred, Tony and Mark Mac. Eventually, we departed for Limehouse in company with nb Barnaby for what was to become something of a five hour epic. As with so much in life, a little perseverance and hard work paid off and at 5 p.m. Barnaby, Panacea and Doris Katia arrived in Limehouse Basin, their crews fatigued, but none the worse for their adventure. Already there were Fulbourne, Fairfa',  Indigo Dream, Tug Major and a Will Trickett's Dutch Barge  Young Adam.

A very pleasant evening was spent in the Cruising Association bar, combining the safety brief with supper amongst old and new friends. The CA staff and Secretary made us very welcome again and we did much to increase their profits before retiring early in preparation for the morrow. 

Again, BW had gone above and beyond, having spent time breaking thick ice in Limehouse Cut (with a pair of tugs) to make it navigable for us. As an insurance policy, BWs Lenny on tug Oulton repeated the process, just prior to our departure, early on Thursday morning. A bonus too, was Young Adam, at 60' x 12' the Dutch Barge followed the tug along the Cut ensuring our progress to Bow Lock was trouble free.

We began locking out at Bow shortly after 8 a.m., being joined by David Pearce and Gill Altman, who travelled in some style aboard Young Adam. The convoy gathered in the safe haven of Bow Creek mouth and then crossed the tideway and headed towards the Barrier and ultimately Royal Docks. The weather was perfect; a flat calm, sunny and without wind, though cold. It was a superb transit and one not to miss. VTS, the Woolwich ferries, City of Westminster and other commercial craft, as you would expect, all behaved splendidly towards us and even complemented us on our navigation skills as our progress was halted on a couple of occasions to let commercial vessels manoeuvre close by. 

To aid our arrival at Royal Docks the quarter lock had been prepared for us and without delay we were raised up and allowed to proceed past City airport to our traditional moorings on the Esplanade. With so much wide, deep and flat water to ourselves we took advantage of the opportunity to exercise our engines and flew along the entire length of the Royals. We passed HMS Westminster, the frigate present in the Royals for the duration of the show and a row of Sunseekers all with teams of workers polishing hard, in preparation for today's opening.  Mooring at 11 a.m. we rewarded ourselves with a small(ish) whisky and enjoyed chatting in the winter sunshine for a while, all agreeing that it had been a splendid trip and well worth the effort.

Our return on the 19th, also shows promise, with a lock out planned for 6 a.m. it should be a sparkling run back to Bow on a rising tide and a with rising sun. Tea in hand and the bacon sizzling; what could be better than this? 

Tim Lewis, of nb Fulbourne, has very kindly provided images of the outward transit. They may be viewed as a slide show by following this link:http://www.pbase.com/timlewis/2009_excel_trip&view=slideshow