April 13

OMG! What a great experience for my first expedition on the new boat. ‘Wandering Canuck Too’ has become both my home and new favourite!

I left the marina at Penton Hook on the Thames, at 0800h on Monday, April 11, with my friends Chris and Nick as support team. We immediately found some of the ‘fun’ of  maneuvering, as we threaded our way through tight berthing channels, and the Thames is full flow. Onward, with not a single paint scrape, and all was well. We made our way through 4 locks (three un-manned, and the 4th demanding payment!) to Richmond on Thames, where we moored up and sought needed provisions.. A lovely evening encouraged us to move along to Teddington Lock moorings, where we stopped in anticipation of an early start.

High water was at 0700h so we made ready and cast off, to find the water even- so we sailed straight through the lock, a rare occurance, I’m told. The water was very high and there was evidence of flooding along the way, with bikes and occasionally cars, splashing through water covered routes.

It was an amazing journey through London- reminiscent of the trip on my narrowboat last fall, but SO much nicer weather. We flowed with the tide and made great progress, passing the amazing landmarks of central London. (Sorry- I was steering, and the photographer will forward photos that I will post in the next edition).

We made our way into new waters for me, and out through the Thames barrier into the estuary, playing with a few of the bigger boats (radio needed- to listen for traffic info and warnings of 20 thousand tonne freighters bearing down on us!) We did what was needed- stayed out of their way!- and eventually arrived, through amazingly calm seas, to Queenborough Marina at almost the mouth of the Medway. We moored here, and sorted through a few of the teething issues of serious use of my new boat.

Problems identified, a very restful night ahead of a Sea Cadet Training ship, and then Chris and Nick left for their home. Thanks!

Today, I moseyed up the Medway to Medway Bridge Marina, past the busy and historic dockyards at Chatham. Lots of moored ships, boats, and historic stuff, but just about no one sailing. This reduced the stress levels significantly.

I’m moored just before the motorway Medway Bridge, and will be here  for a few days as I get the electronic navigation gear installed and working. Reading charts from an iPad is do-able, but just, especially in the bright sunlight. I really need a proper system to tackle the channel and busy European waters.

A long post after a desert of info, but thanks for following. I’ll post photos as I get them. I’m excited about the new adventures!