I’ve spent most of my life on, in or around the River Thames and it has never ceased to fascinate me – and occasionally I find myself pondering the question: Why?
Memories of a magical – if nerve-wracking – time
I’ve always loved the pleasure boats that carry passengers up and down the Thames and I wrote in a recent column that as a youngster in the 1950s I used to enjoy watching the steamers coming and going from the pier at Richmond as they carried passengers upstream to Hampton Court or downstream to Westminster.
Guiding lights since the days of King Henry VIII
I suppose it’s not surprising that someone like me who loves messing about in boats – either on the river or at sea – has a corresponding interest in the workings of the Corporation of Trinity House.
Glorious idea that could put Walton on tourist map
The royal barge Gloriana, presented to the Queen as a gift to mark her Diamond Jubillee by Lord Sterling and others, has been seeking a permanent home ever since she led the river pageant during the jubilee celebrations in 2012.
The Tall Ships – what a great sight at sea level
[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, […]
Still happily afloat after 300 columns and 7 years
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.
Matt the master goes upstream
The Environment Agency has come in for a lot of stick in recent years.
Could the reservoirs solve our flooding problems?
[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 […]
Beaulieu – A cornucopia of treasures for boat owners
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.
Flood plans spring a leak
Government ‘rescue’ falls £120m short