On Saturday we had a leisurely boat ride up the Thames in Keith's boat. Starting at the marina near Shepperton at about 10:30 and headed upstream. Our goal was a pub in Staines for lunch.
Our pace was initially dictated by a flotilla of large rowing boats that were apparently taking part in the "Mayor of Spelthorne's Ceremonial Row Past". However once we got to the first lock we were able to get past them since they had resorted to rowing with one hand whilst holding a beer in the other by that point.
We managed to navigate our way through the various locks, around a number of boats and through a number of flocks of swans.
The Swans on the Thames are all owned by the Queen, and there is an annual tradition and ceremony called Swan Upping which happens in July where they do a census of all of the mute swans on the Thames. Apparently swans were an important food source back in the day. I didn't see swan burger on the menu though.
We did finally make it to the pub (called the Swan of course) and had a nice lunch on the river.
We then headed back down, through the locks, where I barely escaped falling in, and back to the Marina. All in all a great day. - even the weather cooperated.
To see all the pictures go here
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