RCYC Cruiser Fleet   – Cruise to St Katharine’s Dock – Weekend of 10^th and 11^th June

Originally 6 boats had planned to go on this trip, but due to a forecast of strong winds and thunderstorms, only 3 boats participated.

Otra Vez went from Burnham on Wednesday to Chatham. On Thursday they spent had an enjoyable day visiting the historic dockyard.

Boscollina left Burnham on Thursday to go straight to St. Katherine’s Dock. It was a straightforward passage, but bumpy around the Whittaker. As we arrived at Tower Bridge an hour before the lock opened, we cruised downstream to Vauxhall Bridge and back. We found the Harbour Master and marina staff very helpful when we locked in.  Once in the marina, we were moored next to the Havengore (interesting as it was the official bearer of the coffin of Winston Churchill during his state funeral.) A visit to the famous ‘Dickens’ pub was essential when we arrived. On the Friday we walked to Limehouse stopping at the Prospect of Whitby to replenish before eating at Gordon Ramsay’s.

On Friday Otra Vez made the trip from Chatham to St. Katherine’s and encountered cold, stormy weather requiring full oilies to begin with, but were in shorts and t-shirts when they reached London as it was so hot– 4 seasons in one day! A visit to the famous ‘Dickens’ pub was essential when they arrived.

On Saturday the temperature had risen to about 30 degrees. The marina had an open day, so we all visited the Havengore for a guided tour. Katie Lee arrived on first lock about 18.00 from their home port of Chatham. In the evening the whole group enjoyed an excellent meal in a Japanese restaurant organised by ex-commodore Stuart Munro.

On Sunday the temperature had risen once more. Some of us took the river bus to Greenwich to visit the Cutty Sark and National Maritime Museum which were very interesting and provided some welcome cool on such a hot day.  That evening we were joined by the crews of Verlette, Coco and Pericles for a delicious meal at Smith’s of Wapping, arranged by Steve Barham.

On the Monday all 3 boats left St. Katherine’s. Otra Vez left in the 8.30 lock but there was a delay due to river being closed to allow the 90-metre super yacht Norn to dock near Tower Bridge. Otra Vez arrived in Burnham at 21.30 after a marathon trip. Boscollina and Katie Lee were booked into the 9.30 lock which was also delayed due to Norn and the 109ft sailing yacht Marae entering the marina. Consequently, we got onto the river at 10.30. Both boats had a smooth trip back, Katie Lee arriving in Chatham at 14.00 and Boscollina back in Burnham at 15.00.

All boats were contacted by radio London VTS on their inward or outward journey to be reminded to keep to the starboard side rather than cut corners, even when there were no other boats in sight.

Thanks to Steve Barham for organising another very enjoyable trip.

Participants:

Motor Cruisers

‘Boscollina’ – Sealine SC35 – Andy & Gina Wood-Hill.

Katie Lee – Princess 50 – Ian & Janice Keam-George

Sailing Cruiser

Otra Vez – Beneteau 36.7 First – Andy & Jude Prestwich, Stuart Munro.

Andy & Gina Wood-Hill.

13 June 2023