Day 25 To Richmond on the Thames

Today was forecast to be 16C - way more than any other day since I arrived nearly four weeks ago. Even fortified by a hot breakfast, it was cold down on the river, where the high water had dropped by a few inches.


Eventually the Turks Ferry website told us the ferry we intended to catch was running today.  Fortunately Sue rang them and got the news that because of the fast, high water, the first ferry would be about 20 minutes late arriving.

Down at the landing jetty I got to identify Canadian Geese, a coot (just near the pylon)

and, of course, the swans - all feeding on the detritus collecting around the wharf.












Our boat, when it arrived, was the Kingston Royale.

I can't resist the chimneys of Hampton Court.



The fence is in the process of being painted gold.




As we reached Kingston the waterside filled with apartment blocks.

We changed boats in Kingston. This time it was to the paddle steamer, Yarmouth Belle - late again because of a problem with the lock.



We sat outside this time. It was by now a little warmer.








This is an interesting stretch of the river, with lovely boathouses,

 

bridges,



bare trees,

and some extraordinary institutions - including schools.












We went uneventfully through the Teddington Lock.

past lovely trees



























and into Richmond, where we had a very quick lunch at the White Swan.The lateness of our arrival only gave us about 40 minutes for lunch.






There were more passengers on the way back so we sat in side. Sue sat outside for a while to take photos.

The trees are lovely, there is a lot of mistletoe

and some extraordinary decorations in the yards running down to the river.








There were a number of children on the trip, one group entertaining themselves with bubbles.

In Kingston we changed boats again, this time to the Southern Belle. We chose the downstairs saloon which had very comfortable seats but fairly high windows.






The windows provided a view of the tops of trees. It is a a view worth seeing - the trees are very beautiful in their bare state.




I can't arrange them here into a long strip - but I'd like to.

Towards Hampton Court we came across a horse-drawn carriage and the newly painted fence was sparkling in the afternoon sun.

I ended my trip, as I began, with the chimneys.






It was a lovely trip.




We had a bit of a rest before meeting up for dinner - a long, leisurely affair with a young crested grebe diving under our window and a worthy sunset.


















A fitting end to a lovely day. Tomorrow we leave, Sue and Alf back to Margate and me to my journey back to Australia.

We have time for lunch together tomorrow.