Waverley on the Thames 2006 Part 2

Report by Martin Longhurst

Monday 25 September 2006 was a very rainy day as you can see from Joy Vickery's pictures. From Tilbury the steamer's timetable took her to Southend, Clacton and Harwich for a River Stour cruise, circle back to Clacton and finally to Harwich for the night.

Alongside Tilbury Landing Stage

Captain Steve Colledge

Next day she set course back to Clacton, Southend, Tilbury and through Tower Bridge to Tower Pier, with coaches home. Wednesday saw a round trip to the River Medway, with a double run from Tilbury, so as to position the steamer for the following day's charter.    This was to launch a report on the Thames Gateway Regeneration and saw the steamer sail from Tilbury to Crossness and downstream to off Whitstable and finally back to Tilbury.

Friday took the paddler back to Southend, firstly for an upriver non-landing round trip to the Upper Pool, followed by an evening showboat cruise to Tower Pier with coach return.

Saturday was Clacton day, with Waverley departing Tower Pier bright and early at 09.15, with calls at Tilbury and Southend.

Looking back towards the Barrier and Canary Wharf

Disembarking at Clacton

Who is Waverley virgin Shelina texting?

Too much excitement for an old boy

 

What are Richard and Ken plotting?

Yes - it's the new roving radio mike, complete with bespoke wind gag (or Quinn Muffler)

After a wet start, the sun came out and the southerly wind kept us warm. Unfortunately this meant the wind was directly on to the pier at Clacton, While the movement at the Pier was not sufficient to prevent disembarkation, it was felt advisable to anchor off rather than lie alongside for an hour and a half. Fortunately conditions did not worsen so the paddler was able to return and pick up her return passengers plus over 100 for the single trip to London to view the "Twinkling Thames," with coach return.

 

The setting sun sets off the "woodwork" of the after deck shelter

 

 

 

 

 

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