Yachting and Boating World forums: Thames Boat Show

The idea was we were going by boat but with the river flowing at 50 miles an hour we decided to go by car …so after getting directions off Byron we left him battling with nature and headed south…

As we passed over the bridges at Goring we were glad we didn’t go ….the weir stream was a raging torrent and with everyone staying put the moorings were full….there was white water everywhere ..nothing like the Thames in June …more like Portland Race…

At the show there was lots of parking in the field and a very attentive marshal guiding us into a parking space …he was taking his job very seriously…made me feel like a 747 pilot coming in from a flight from Singapore..

Safely parked we headed for the turnstiles…..SWMBO looking for a OAP concession for me…bloody cheek …as in fact she is the one with a bus pass not me but she would`nt dream of admitting it ..I suppose it`s a woman’s thing…anyway it didn’t apply as all the prices were the same…a very reasonable 7 quid…

By this time the sun was high in the sky and we were treated to the rare sight of the English at play…it`s amazing as soon as the sun comes out so do the Bermuda shorts with red white and blue gussets….the wimmin wearing nothing to speak of and the kids demanding ice cream and a go on everything….one chap came past with his three young daughters clinging onto him…one on his shoulders one piggyback and another on the front ….all squealing with delight…

Although the river was up and the boat trips were cancelled the lake had come alive …and in a stiff breeze there were lots of saily boats wizzing backwards and forwards giving trips to potential customers …also a few steam boats had raised steam and were showing off … as they do….lots of wooden boats from sailing yachts to slipper launches were on display ..just the sort of boats I love to see but could never own….there was a lot of stuff from the west country which seems to be the centre for wooden boatbuilding …nice to see it`s still alive and kicking….

All the usual rope and chandlery …..I bought a few must haves and then we headed for the pig roast….

After we had dined we found a great tent with dried fruit and nuts so I bought some to take home .. I always like to treat her..…then she noticed a very unsavoury character selling custom jewellery…and not content with the nuts she fell in love with a ring…of course I immediately set about explaining to her how rings are very bad for you and how they cut off the circulation and cause deep ring thrombosis. But she wasn’t listening and instead was giving all her attention to this bloody gypsy chap who was saying …try it on, Lovely lady …it will bring you luck…and all that stuff..

It was a lovely day not to crowded and with the sunshine a very pleasant afternoon

Ps.
When we arrived home we nipped into our local Tescos for some vitals’ and the girl on the checkout was admiring the new ring ….soon she was trying it on and wanting to know where it came from ect. …all this with a line of people waiting….
Outside in the car park I asked SWMBO who she was….Dunno she said…never seen her before in my life….

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