Bishops Stortford to Teddington Lock

Our return journey on the picturesque River Stort continued and at Harlow we stopped for water.  Unfortunately our hose sprang a leak and so I saw more of Harlow than intended as I walked up to Argos for a replacement.  

We rejoined the River Lee and sailed back south stopping again at Waltham Abbey.  This time I used my Oyster card to catch  a train to Walthamstow for a look round the excellent William Morris Gallery.  

The William Morris Gallery houses a selection of examples from the Arts and Crafts Movement

On Sunday we completed our journey on the River Lee by sailing back into London where we moored up in Limehouse Basin.

Moored up in Limehouse Basin

The Docklands Light railway took me into London where I joined the tourists for some sightseeing.  My first stop was the Monument to the Great Fire of London where I climbed the 311 steps to the top for some good views across the city.  

Looking down to Tower Bridge from the Monument

Then I enjoyed a wander around the streets and was particularly impressed by Leadenhall Market. 

The City of London dragon with the red cross of St George is used in the decoration of Leadenhall Market

At 6.15 am on Bank Holiday Monday we were ready to enter Limehouse Lock to sail onto the Thames.  The lock itself was an experience; it has curved gates which pivot open and no sluices; the water levels are controlled by opening the gates.  The gates opened slightly and the water started flowing out creating some turbulence.  I could see why we'd been told to secure ropes fore and aft.  The lock-keeper opened the gates in increments and the last one created a larger gap and for a few moments a wall of water was suspended between the gates until it cascaded down into the river.  Then the gates opened and we sailed out onto the Thames.  

The tops of the skyscrapers were hidden in clouds but the approach to Tower Bridge gave us a good view of the famous landmark. 

Approaching Tower Bridge

The Tower of London followed Tower Bridge. 

The Tower of London

 There are numerous bridges in Central London and the Port of London Authority has a system of lights to aid navigation; 2 amber lights indicate the main channels. 

Looking through the bridge arches 

We sailed passed Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament.

Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament

As we continued passed Pimlico and Battersea new blocks of apartments lined the river and there were plenty more under construction.  At Putney we had some company on the river, the rowing boats were out practicing and overtook us.   At Hammersmith we saw a familiar name on an unusual building.  

Harrods furniture depository

At Richmond we encountered an unusual navigation feature, the shallow weir is under enough water to allow navigation except at low tide.  As we approached we could see the weir barriers were down but the lock keeper advised us they were about to be lifted.  There is a lock that can be used at low tide but it incurs a charge of £7 so we were happy to wait. 

The red top weir barriers block the river until the water levels are high enough, the 3 red lights in a triangle indicate the arch is closed. The lock is in the left hand arch and the sign advises of the charges.

The river took us round Twickenham and on to Teddington Lock, the limit of the tidal Thames and a convenient place to moor up.  

Our journey from Bishops Stortford to Teddington Lock