The SPCC Annual Thames Barrier Cruise took place on Saturday, May 9th. Video and photo albums here and here. Andrew Phasey (Commodore) writes:

Folks,

A note to let you know how the Thames Barrier cruise for 2009 went
yesterday.

The trip to Limehouse on Friday passed largely without incident, if one
discounts the gobstopper size hailstones that attacked us between Mile End
and Johnson's Lock. Thankfully, it was short lived and didn't remove too
much paint from the roofs of our boats. On Friday evening the Cruising
Association opened their doors to us again and we had the customary safety
brief and supper together, followed by an end of evening pint in the Grapes.


Unusually, a river closure was planned for Saturday, between 1350 and 1435,
to allow a flying display by the Royal Navy, celebrating 100 years of naval
aviation. Because of this, we had arranged to depart from Bow Lock as soon
as there was sufficient water. As many of you know, the advanced telemetry
at Bow that determines whether there is a sufficient depth of water for
navigation, has been replaced by a washing machine carcass. Just as soon as
the incoming tide reaches the machine, boats are allowed to depart the lock.

Lenny locked us out, beginning at 1230, and by 1315 all six narrowboats were
gathered in the safe haven of Bow Creek mouth. The sun shone, the wind was
light (at 8mph) and the river was quiet save for the Thames Clippers,
defying gravity, it seemed, as they flew from pier to pier, in nano-seconds,
consuming and disgorging passengers.  At 1325 the calm was shattered by
half-a-dozen large low-flying helicopters, warming-up for the display. One
knew they were flying low, because some of them passed through the Barrier,
rather than over it. They took pleasure from flying, several times, over our
little convoy, as the photos will probably show. We waved to them, as
nonchalantly as we could, whilst wedging ourselves in tight spaces to avoid
the effects of the downdraught. We didn't see the flying display at
Greenwich, but didn't need to; the informal one was much more exciting.

Passing through the Barrier for the first time, we turned north across the
fairway and picking up the incoming tide we sped away from the aviators,
returned thru' the Barrier and thence to the Isle of Dogs, bound for
Limehouse. The Harbourmaster's vessel came to meet us as we approached the
section of closed river and was pleasantly surprised to witness our convoy's
controlled boat-handling. As we were exchanging pleasantries with the
Harbourmaster, the helicopter display ended and very soon the river was open
for navigation again. In the few years Frances and I have been doing this
transit, we've always managed to experience a certain "lumpiness" in the
water around the Isle of Dogs and yesterday was no exception.  The spray has
washed away the dust of St P, the scuppers in the well-deck performed
admirably, and I note the baseplate is clear of mussels, although the prop
is somewhat tarnished and would probably benefit from the application of
Brasso. Denise, recently returned from deep sea adventures, said this trip
had made up for her disappointment at rounding Cape Horn.

Reaching the southern tip of the Isle, a huge grey edifice, as high as a
mountain, came slowly into view. After some minutes the perspective made
sense and we recognised the huge bulk of HMS Illustrious, an Invincible
class aircraft carrier, platform for the helicopter display and home to a
thousand matelots. The size of Illustrious is staggering, at 209m in length
and with a beam of 36m she displaces 22,000 tonnes. Despite filling the
river, we managed to squeeze slowly past her and continued towards
Limehouse.

Approaching Limehouse, we spoke to the lockkeepers by VHF, and took up
formation for the two lockings. The tide was a high one, predicted at 6.81m
but in actuality was half a metre more. The bridge was swung open, as were
the lock gates and the first three narrowboats entered the lock cut. The
various effects of wind, tide, a narrow passage and passing craft added a
certain spice to the occasion and spontaneous applause broke out amongst the
drinkers and diners as some neat manoeuvring and line-heaving brought us to
a controlled halt. Within seconds, the gates closed behind us and we were
gently lowered into Limehouse Basin just three hours after our departure
from Bow.

All agreed it was a "good" trip and we have introduced two more boaters to
the River Thames.

For the record the club boats were Cherie, Galatea and Doris Katia; visiting
boats were Tugby, Tastoma and Victoria. Also with us was Marc from Leafy
Lady and other friends.

There are a lot more stories and pictures to come.

Kind regards,

Andrew

Yippee! Let's go boating.