nipper

Your only upset that they wouldn't allow you to stay in the actual lock this time Matty! That was three years ago, lord how time flies! Nipper

On my last card, EE gave me another 100GB after my month ran out. I'm expecting the same with this new card i started up yesterday! The 4G has worked from the Thames, all the way to Bristol and back, along the whole length of the Thames, The River Wey and now I am in Little Venice, it's signal has diminished, from the 76Mbps i have been used to down to the 18Mbps i have today! I'm a happy chappy! Nipper

Oh i duno Matty, I'm in Kensal Town at the moment, only because there are no moorings available in Little Venice or Paddington Basin. But it does look like the same old boats and wrecks are still alongside that were there in June when i was here, and these are supposed to be the 14day,7 day visitors moorings! Fat boats look like taking over half of the Paddington basin 7 day moorings and if, before any one shouts "how do i know they haven't just moved", well i don't, but there are precious little movement of boats to get me thinking they are all fresh boats! Luckily, I have just been allocated a berth at the Rembrandt Gardens for the rest of the week, so i am now sorted! Nipper

Maybe someone at CART knows that fact, and thats why the winter moorings have been arranged! Nipper

Well, there are winter moorings about 1/4 mile towards Bulls bridge from that bridge number 20 on the Paddington Arm, that carries the A40200 from Southall to Uxbridge. That is the bridge that all the Indians feed the ducks and geese near and the tow path is covered with slippery mud! I do remember seeing in the summer visitor moorings there, indeed there is one cruiser there at the moment! Those locals always smile and wave as you pass and indeed, one old long grey bearded gentleman dressed in white, including a white scull type hat, was so pleased to see us, that he bent his old legs and smacked his thighs as he gave us a very wide grin. Maybe he was just visiting from his homeland ,but i think we were the first Narrow boat he had ever seen! I was moored just passed Willowtree Marina, on the off side, in the park, lovely moorings and very quite too! Nipper

"  No winter moorings in central London. This is to ensure we don’t clog this particularly popular area plus we have had some enquiries from local planning authorities which we need to be mindful of." Far too late it's full up! I've had to come back out to Kensal Green to get a mooring for the night. Will turn around in the morning and try again! Nipper

Thank you, but why someone would want to moor at the Southall is anyones business. Especially as just passed Willowtree Marina is a lovely park and very good moorings on the off side! Nipper

I'm in the Bulls Bridge area at the moment and there are winter moorings, as the newish sign post says, opposite Tesco's and some further up the Paddington Arm before Bridge 20 at Southhall, but well before the visitor moorings at that place. There are two boats on moored opposite Tesco's and a great deal of empty space, the moorings before bridge 20 ae empty! Both have no facilities except that the Tesco's moorings have a tap. As a Constant Cruiser, is it permissible for me to use these winter moorings for a day or two, or if discovered, will I be hung at dawn? Nipper

Blimey , that's some code of practice! Now I am beginning to understand why the crews of the rowers and other oared boats come mainly from the universities and colleges. Thanks for that Scholar Gypsy, it's good to know that they have rules and obey them! Nipper

Yes, I was far to busy looking at that float and the mooring posts, and logging them into my brain, to realise that I was going past the entrance at quite a lick. Still, a swift about turn of the tiller and a gun on the 50hp beta was all that was needed to put me into the entrance the right way around. I wonder why that red bouy is on the other side of the river to the entrance, cus, it gets in the way when one has an elderly moment! Nipper

Your wicked! Anyway, whats Christmas shopping? Nipper

I'll have you know that it isn't all sweetness and light you know! Lets take this morning, I was up so early this morning to get the tide that i only got one cup of tea in bed and definitely no toast! I also like to have coffee at around 10 with two digestives, but i was far to busy! I'll have you know that life can be tough as a Constant Cruiser! But, you know what? I wouldn't swap it for the world! Nipper

Yes i was there in June just before i went on the Thames and explored that river,then the Kennet and Avon and the River Wey twice ( Grandchildren!) But I have a need to go back that way because i have found out i still have £3-50 left on me Oyster card!! Also the fact that i still have plenty of time to get to Braunston for Christmas! Nipper

Yes, I have already had to go down the weed hatch twice today, first time since July! To be honest, while at Kingston the water really did smell filthy, with a greasy scum on it! I hesitate to mention the lack of elson points and the large amount of constant moorers on the river! But at least you can see whats going on your prop here cus the water seems very clear! I look forward to getting past Cowely, but first, i may decide to have a ditti along that other open sew..r, The Paddington Arm, if i can be sure to get a mooring around Little Venice or the Paddington Basin! Anyone near there? Nipper

Thank you!

I made it, and now tied up at Bulls Bridge and it has just started to pour down with rain! 7-30 at Kingston Visitor moorings and now 2-30 at Bulls Bridge, that ain't bad, considering there are 13 locks involved as well!! Nipper

Na! I don't have , a Director, Camera man, editor and any other person in the dam way, like that poor chap has! Nipper

Well, i knew what I meant and most others did too! Can't an old man have a little nonsence now and again and I have had a stressful day! Nipper

Well, thats what the Brentford Lockie said to me an hour ago! Leave Teddington at 9am and i will have the lock ready for you at 10am! I will, of coarse, leave earlier and take my time and to make sure he doesn't get on his bike and peddle back home again! Nipper

Yes, I had confusion in the summer when i was told that Limehouse was only opening at HW and i should go to Brentford. It took me quite a while to get to Brentford, as i was on the Lea at the time, only to see, on leaving Brentford lock, a number of boats going Teddington way, only to find out that they had left Limehouse a couple of hours before! It really wants somebody to shake up the Thames entrance system, get all repairs sorted, and not to fob there costumers off with silly excuses. Then, perhaps,least we may have a better system for doing, what for many, is a trip of a lifetime, for others a huge question mark!! Nipper

Yes , of coarse! Just like everyone else does!