After such a lovely trip over to Ramsgate, I was looking forward to another calm, sunny day on the water. This time I would sit out longer on the foredeck and enjoy the moment when we finally enter the Thames Estuary. We have talked endlessly about this – going up the Thames on Deux Poissons – I wanted to experience it in the moment.
It was another early start and we were out of the harbour at 05:00. This time, heading away from the sunrise. It was a little windy compared to yesterday but Deux Poissons handled it well.
Then it got really really rough.
We had expected the wind to be North-North-East but it turned and came from the West – over tide. So we were heading into waves, peaks and troughs – for hours. Both Patrick and Deux Poissons handled it so well. I supported them both silently and in prayer (unable to reach the vodka, as it meant moving from my seat).
It must have been exhausting for Patrick as it was a case of predicting the peak of the wave and steering her into it, rather than let it hit us side-on and cause that horrible rolling. Everything was “locked down” (including the vodka) on the boat so we didn’t have things flying at us but it was still heavy going. Although the autopilot was set up and in good working order now, Patrick had to do almost all of the steering through the waves. The water was almost always over the deck, occasionally splashing right up against the windscreen and at times right over the roof. At this point we realised that the hatch on the roof was not entirely watertight. But, to be fair, “waves over the roof” wasn't something we considered during our restoration.
We were (slightly) amused to see a ship behind us called “Danube Highway”. It felt like this was all part of the trip to finally be on the Danube-this was the road to be travelled.
There was a sense of relief when we turned into the Thames Estuary heading towards Queenborough, the sea state became a little calmer.
Patrick was due to work that day, so as soon as he could, he joined a meeting via his phone, just to say he was due to tie up in Queensborough shortly and would join meetings then. I, however, was planning on having a very stiff drink !
Queenborough offers moorings between the Thames and Medway and most boats moor up waiting for the right tide for the Thames. We asked, over the radio, for the All Tide Landing, which is a pontoon, isn’t restricted by tide and we asked to stay overnight. The alternative is to pick up a buoy, although there is a RIB “taxi” for those on a buoy, so we could get to land. We were lucky enough to get a space on the Landing. It is pretty basic, but it had both electricity and water, which we hadn’t expected, so we looked forward to a hot shower and fill the water tanks. A colleague from Patrick’s work, who lived in the area, stopped by for a work “meeting”, which naturally involved a couple of beers, out on the back deck.
Two Little Ships of Dunkirk tied up behind us, which was such a treat. They were both in such good condition considering they were part of a 1940 rescue operation in World War II. Patrick had a little chat with them, while I still remained in recovery from the trip over (aka: another gin and tonic). I did wonder if the Little Ships of Dunkirk would have considered Deux Poissons trying to make her way to Queenborough similar to what they had undertook in 1940 - probably not !
Patrick came back from his chat with news that our plans had changed!! The original plan was to leave Queenborough tomorrow and stop overnight at Greenwich. The crew of the two Little Ships had done this route a few times and their advice was to NOT stop at Greenwich or anywhere along the Thames as it is really busy and the water is rough and choppy from all the water taxis and tour boats. It makes for a really uncomfortable stay and not cheap. They suggested to just keep going until we were through Teddington Lock and onto Thames River proper. Then we would be in canal-like situation and so much slower, calmer and nicer. All I heard was slower, calmer and nicer.
It did mean a 5:00am start (of course).
We had a yacht rafted up on the outside of us and the crew went out for the evening, so we were unable to give them the bad news - We would need them to move off at 05:00am to let us out. As I wrote a really apologetic note, I hoped they were not having a heavy session in the pub nearby as this would really spoil their evening.
Then into a very welcome bed with the alarm set for 5:00am. I am beginning to think this is the default setting of the alarm by now.
