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Wednesday, February 04, 2026

Mort's Riverwatch

An occasional look at the ebb and flow of the Thames

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  • The end of the voyage
  • Royal appointment for two dedicated sailors
  • Little ship left a big impression
  • Travel in style on a steamer
  • Residents channelling their own flood plans
Recent developments

The Tall Ships – what a great sight at sea level

18/09/201429/05/2015Mort SmithComment(0)

[dropcap]F[/dropcap]URTHER to my column last week about the Tall Ships arriving in Greenwich and the interest it called, my friend Douglas Dick from Shepperton and a long-term member of Desborough Sailing Club with his wife, Sally, wrote to tell me about his experiences with these beautiful sailing craft. Douglas wrote; “Just over a week ago,  […]

Recent developments

Still happily afloat after 300 columns and 7 years

04/09/201429/05/2015Mort SmithComment(0)

After a short interlude, Mort Smith sails back into our lives with thank-yous to some of the people who have provided inspiration for some many stories during the past seven years.

Local people

Matt the master goes upstream

08/05/201429/05/2015Mort SmithComment(0)

The Environment Agency has come in for a lot of stick in recent years.

Recent developments

Could the reservoirs solve our flooding problems?

01/05/201429/05/2015Mort SmithComment(0)

[dropcap]I’[/dropcap]VE had some interesting reactions to my column outlining the Environment Agency’s River Thames Scheme aimed at safeguarding homeowners and businesses on our stretch of the Thames from future flooding. John Carter from Chertsey said: “I find the the EA flood plans pitiful.  Why more than 10 years to complete and why not fully-financed by […]

Events

Beaulieu – A cornucopia of treasures for boat owners

24/04/201421/06/2015Mort SmithComment(0)

I always know when the boating season has really got under way because I head down to Lord Montagu’s lovely little pad at Beaulieu in Hampshire to take part in what has become the biggest boatjumble in Europe.

In the year 2025: The flood defence plan in numbers, but it won't be fully in place for more than a decade.
Recent developments

Flood plans spring a leak

17/04/201421/12/2025Mort SmithComment(0)

Government ‘rescue’ falls £120m short

Terra Nova

She’s back on an even keel

10/04/201429/05/2015Mort SmithComment(0)

Some loving TLC as we restore a little wheel power to beloved Terra Nova

Nature

Spring – it’s such a joyous time for us Riverwatchers

03/04/201429/05/2015Mort SmithComment(0)

Let’s bid a warm welcome to British Summer Time and hope that the signal for the clocks to go forward is also a signal for the warmer weather we enjoyed over the weekend to continue.

Recent developments

Who will toil for Belle?

27/03/201421/12/2025Mort SmithComment(0)

Firstly, thanks for all the kind messages regarding my impending move to the East Coast. It’s much appreciated and I’m delighted that so many people enjoy Riverwatch – I hope I’ll be able to keep it going.

Terra Nova

Casting off off for pastures new – Mort’s on the move

20/03/201429/05/2015Mort SmithComment(0)

What a beautiful weekend we’ve just enjoyed. Temperatures up into the high teens, wall-to-wall sunshine and memories of that abysmal winter rapidly vanishing into a distant haze.

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Get in touch

To contact Mort, email him at mortsmith32@gmail.com or call him on 01787 226974. He’s always pleased to hear from old friends who provided such a wealth of information and great stories for Riverwatch.

These columns appeared in the Surrey Herald.

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Association of Dunkirk Little Ships Beaulieu boat jumble birds boats book review Canal and River Trust crab Desborough Island Desborough Sailing Club Doug Myers Dunkirk D’Oyly Carte Island Environment Agency fish fishing Floods historic boats Jenny Beagle lock keepers London International Boat Show paintings Project Kraken Queen Mary Sailing Club Richmond Venturer River Thames Boat Project river users groups rowing Royal Yachting Association safety sailing Second World War Shepperton Shepperton Marina Sunbury and Shepperton Local History Society Surrey Police swimming Terra Nova Thames21 Thames islands Walton Bridge Walton Yacht Company Weather Weybridge Ladies Rowing Club Weybridge Sailing Club wildlife
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