I dreamed of having my own boat for years before I could finally afford one. And, as my family will attest, after becoming a skipper, I have spent considerable amounts of time and money on pampering the succession of boats I’ve owned over the past 15 years or so.
Recent developments
Actor takes lead in campaign
Further to my recent coverage of the Environment Agency’s desire to sell off several of the lock-keeper’s cottages in our area, I’m delighted to report that there is potentially some good news.
There is hope on the horizon
So, finally, a small spark of common sense appears to have appeared at the Environment Agency – with the news that they have put on hold their controversial plans to sell off ten of the 57 lock-keepers cottages on the River Thames.
Time to clean up our act
It’s quite astounding how much junk there is in the River Thames. Everyone has probably seen a supermarket shopping trolley nestling in the shallows close to the bank or the odd lorry tyre rotting gently in the mud.
The proof of the pudding…
It’s definitely that time of year when the thoughts of many folk turn towards the possibility of getting out on the river.
Jenny’s happy to be at the helm
Being a woman in a man’s world is never easy – but when the ‘world’ is that of boats and things nautical, it presents an even bigger difficulty. But that’s a challenge boatyard boss Jenny Beagle, who runs Bridge Marine in Shepperton, has been happy to meet since she took over the business from her parents in 1998.
Keep an eye out for birds along the river
Three cheers for the River Thames Guide, the website which provides a comprehensive information service about all things to do with the Thames, which is launching a project aimed at encouraging youngsters to get involved with bird-watching along the length of the river.
We’ve cracked it!
Solving the mystery of those floating coconuts
A lovely bunch of jetsam
I know that climate change is a serious concern to many, but its effect on our part of the Thames appears to be more rapid than I had thought it would be.
Fierce competition
If you happen to be walking down by the Thames at Runnymede most Sunday mornings you might have wondered at the rhythmic drumming that occasionally emanates from the river.