A couple of hours was all that it would take us to get back to our mooring at Packet Boat. However, we planned an extensive spring clean of the boat this afternoon, both inside and out. So, really, we should have made a prompt start but we were slow this morning and it was nearly ten o'clock before we were off.
It was a splendid, warm sunny spring day. despite the threat of cloud in the afternoon, it stayed warm until sundown when it turned chilly very quickly.
The Uxbridge Road Visitor Moorings remain a continuing problem from bird feeding people, unlikely to be deterred quickly despite the adverts placed by CRT this last weekend.
Unfortunately we failed to focus the camera in time but this was meant to show the first chicks with their mother we have spotted this year. They looked very young indeed. You, dear reader, will just have to use your imagination!
Spring bulbs seem to survive in the most unlikely places - but how did they get there in the first place?
We turned out at Bull's Bridge where the Paddington Branch joins onto the Main Line. By now we were on really familiar territory - we came this way at the start of this trip but then continued straight down to Brentford from Bull's Bridge.
We were greeted with bright blue sky as we approached Yiewsley High Street bridge (a sign that we are almost home) - still not sure if the decoration is worth it!
All too soon we turned left at Cowley Peachy junction and then right into the marina where we tied up.
After lunch we set about the spring clear. nb Chance was on the next door mooring but it looked as if James and Doug had already left for their next cruise. So we were quite surprised when James emerged to say hello - they had taken their friend back to Stansted Airport at 3 am last night so they felt in need of a lie in! We had several opportunities to catch up - we just missed them as they travelled up the Thames to come back in at Brentford shortly before we set off from Teddington, headed down to Limehouse.
With a short break around five for a quick trip to tesco, we were solidly at it into nearly seven. As well as packing up and Christine giving the inside its usual through clean through before we leave, Mike washed and polished the whole outside. He treated it all to a Bullet cornuba wax final coat.
As the sun was approaching setting time, our neighbours waved farewell - we hadn't realised they were off quite so soon!
Right at the end Mike polished the brass tiller, but we did not have enough polish left to do it properly but he also had a go at one of the roof mushrooms with wet and dry. Although it was not possible to finish the job it looks quite promising. All this to remove a couple of dabs of paint left on it after its visit to Lower Heyford last year!
We also made arrangements to meet up at Windsor tomorrow morning for a visit to Hampton Court Palace.
9.0 miles - 0 locks
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