Pictures paint lovely memories
Looked at the weather and it said the wind was going to pick up and it was going to rain at 10.00am, so we started the engine and made our way to the pumpout station. As we got there someone was already trying to get on but making a bit of a hash of it in the wind, so they let us go in front of them. We quickly got our pump out and pushed Derwent6 back through the bridge and the wind in our favour helped us to turn easy. It was again tricky to turn in the basin but as we moored up the rain started...Perfect timing!
We then got a text with some very sad news that our friend Jayne Woodgate, had lost her fight with cancer. We went to Jayne and John Woodgates wedding just two months ago and again this reminded us why we are doing what we are doing. Our condolences and thoughts are with all Jayne's family and friends at this really sad time....
To make us feel better we thought we would try and get Del's guitar string which broke last night, so we made our way over to Tottenham Court Road and picked up a set of strings. We then walked back to Covent garden and then over to see the Forest at Trafalgar Square which everyone kept talking about. 
Well, what a waste of time and money that was, just a load of tree stumps brought all the way from South America. I know it's the rain forest but honestly!
Anyway we then walked over to The National Gallery which is free, and were amazed by the paintings they have and how close you can get to them. We're not heavily into paintings, but you would be shocked at how good the exhibition is. Constable, Van Gogh, Turner, and Leonardo de Vinci to name a few. It was a eye opener!
Well, what a waste of time and money that was, just a load of tree stumps brought all the way from South America. I know it's the rain forest but honestly!Anyway we then walked over to The National Gallery which is free, and were amazed by the paintings they have and how close you can get to them. We're not heavily into paintings, but you would be shocked at how good the exhibition is. Constable, Van Gogh, Turner, and Leonardo de Vinci to name a few. It was a eye opener!We then got the tube back to Derwent6 via picking up some shopping at Sainsbury's and on the way back Al slipped on the pontoon in her boots and came crashing to the ground. Her knee was very painful but with a bit of TLC it should be alright. We were pleased we had lit the fire before we left, and it was all warm and cosy on board. Al rested her knee and Del restrung the guitar and we had a nice quiet night.
posted by Del and Al at 7:53 PM
1 comments
They had a big fire here a few years ago and Wow have they done a super job on the market.
The old horse stables have now been turned into market stalls and a big food court, and they had added some horse statues, it is just fabulous.... 
We only intended to be here a hour or so but ended up spending the rest of the day there. It also looked great lit up at night. Whatever you do don't go on a weekend, it must be packed, because it was very busy on a Thursday. Did we buy anything we hear you ask....No not really but we did buy Derwent6 a little memento from here. It's a little spinning thing for the cratch. 
We then grabbed something to eat and sat on these scooter seats and looked over the canal. 
We then made our way back to Derwent6 and lit the fire, smokeless coal this time, so as not to upset anyone in the offices which surround us. We just sang songs until Del broke a string on the guitar, so we ended up playing games for the rest of the evening.
It was also dragging all the rubbish into our path and into locks and it wasn't long before we picked up a huge tarpaulin as we were entering a lock which rapped itself round the prop giving Derwent6 no brakes.
We had no choice but to let her drift onto the cill with a bang. Luckily we weren't going too fast when it happened, and we just had to stand a few things back up on Derwent6. We were cleaning the prop a hell of a lot through the Hackney section and you could see under the surface of the water loads of plastic bags, a bit scary really that we were going along at all. We just managed to make each lock and clear the prop to make the next one. Once you get past Islington tunnel things get a bit better. 
We made our way through Camden and through Regent's park.
All in all, we had a good journey into Paddington Basin all be it a bit shallow in places. You can make your own minds up as to why it was so shallow ;-) 
There were a few moorings as we came in to the basin, but it was very tricky turning at the end due to the wind blowing hard at us side on. Al had to stand on the side to keep us upright. After mooring, the security warden came round and took our number and we thanked him for keeping a eye on us, after saying that, then six lads were hanging around and one even tried to sit on the roof of Derwent6 while we were on board...(he won't be doing that anymore)
We then moored back up in our original place and as the weather was so good thought we would just have a walk around London.
It was lovely seeing all the buskers doing their thing on the pavements.
We spent a lot of time browsing round the shops and taking in the atmosphere.
We then made our way up to Oxford street where it started to get dark and so the Christmas light came on. 
It was lovely see all the windows in the big department stores and watching everyone rushing around on there way home from work.
We then went to Bella Italia and had a lovely meal, just off Regents street.
Then it was onto Selfridges which looked fabulous done up with it's Christmas decorations and this is where Al managed to pick up her chunky wooden fruit bowl, which we had been looking for all year. 
We then got the tube back to Derwent6 knackered.
The wind was still quite strong and the ferry boats were whizzing back and forth. We then set of for the station and made our way down to Kent for the day. We got the train to Shoreham and then walked into the village.
We had some time with Pam & Alf and did a few jobs for them. We had some lunch before they drove us back to Otford where we got the fast train back into London.
It only took a hour door to door and it just goes to show you're not far away.
We then decided to go out to the pictures and see the film 2012, so we hopped on the DLR and made our way to Canary Wharf and made the 2.00pm film.
It was packed with people and if we had queued for drinks we wouldn't have been sitting together. The effects are brilliant, if a bit far fetched, all the same we enjoyed it.
We then got the DLR back to Derwent6 and it was coffee and bed for us. A nice relaxing day!
It the morning it was just as bad and the rain was giving Derwent6 a good wash with the sound of running water everywhere.
When you first walk in it just blows you away, the architecture is just fantastic. We walked the 489 steps up to the whispering gallery and then made our way to the top which is round the rim of the dome itself.
The wind was howling a bit but we were able to watch the parade from here. 
We then went down to the Crypt and saw the tombs of Admiral Nelson, Duke of Wellington, Florance Nightingale and Christopher Wren, just a marvelous place to be.
While we were down there we heard the choir practicing and it just sounded so good. When we came out we then saw a free dance show which lasted about half a hour and was performed by a top dance academy, which was as good as a west end show and we were in the front row. You weren't allowed to take photos inside the cathedral so you will have to look at the postcards we bought as a memento.
We then popped on to the tube (using the Oyster card) and went to Bank where we just got out in time to see the parade on it's return journey. With over 6,000 people involved it took an hour for it to pass and luckily the rain held off. 
You felt quite proud to be giving the forces a good cheer with all the work they are doing around the world. We were also given a free orange each from the greengrocers guild! 
It all finished with the Lord Mayor in his golden carriage.
We then got something to eat in Oxford Street and then made our way to the Embankment as there was going to be Fireworks on the Thames. This we then found out had been cancelled due to the adverse weather conditions which we've got to say were getting worse. So it was back on the tube to Derwent6.
