Things were getting crowded down on the foreshore as the season gets going and some nice Sunday morning weather.
There was still enough room to pull Gato up on the foreshore, grab a cup of tea and some biscuits from the cafe and watch the day unfold.
I've worked in London tow or three days a week since the late 1990's and then suddenly haven't been there for 2 years so on a sunny Saturday over Easter we caught the train up to Waterloo for a family day out.
The view from the South bank is so familiar, yet with the absence of 2 years I had the feeling of being a tourist, snapping pictures of the iconic view of the Houses of Parliament.
We arrived early so not much was open, it's a great time to see everything before the crowds gather, low water exposed the bed of the river.
Clearly there are not nearly enough pubs in London so they had to squeeze another one in on the Thames.
Not our first choice for breakfast, but presumably they wouldn't be open if there were no customers.
It's only been just over 2 weeks since the daylight saving time (clocks spring forward) but it feels like spring has been with us ages and cold grey winter long forgotten.
This woodland stream is still full and fast flowing, not yet in the shadow of the surrounding trees.
This pile top had been blown off in the February storms and landed on the mud, in the middle of the lagoon by Bunny meadows. Fortunately someone rescued it and put it to good use.
It can't be another mid life crisis as I've clearly been through a few and am far too old, but I'm in the market for a motorbike. Not having ridden for about 20 years I'm leaning towards one of the many modern, retro machines that are currently very popular.
But just then friend Greg turned up on his 1951 Sunbeam S8, which he describes as a very comfy touring machine.
It was really advanced in it's day, shaft drive, super smooth SOHC twin, apparently the only distraction from a blissful riding experience is the front brake.
Not that it's for sale, but while there's lots going for such a real classic, I'm still leaning toward something more modern. My first bike was a Royal Enfield Crusader Sport 250, so I have a bit of a soft spot for the brand in all their guises - Bullet, Himalaya, Meteor and the Inteceptor, but then there's MotoGuzzi which are just fabulous to look at.
Might take a while deciding what to get, but need to get on before the summer days are here.
Spotted this expedition boat rowing up to Swanwick Hard recently. The owner and crew weren't especially talkative but I did find out it was built from a kit designed by CLC - Chesapeake Light Craft.
A bit of internet research reveals that the Southwester Dory is sold in the UK as a kit with options for rowing, motoring or sailing. Apparently there's a Northeaster Dory which is slightly smaller, the Southwester is 18' 10", 62" beam and weights 250lbs. lovely boat.
While I do like multi-hulls, both catamarans and trimarans, I will admit that aesthetics aren't necessarily their best attribute.
Above, the cockpit area looks to be fantastic offering a secure and sheltered environment both at sea and in harbour, and that tender with the drop down ramp looks equally practical.
Lovely boat, but hanging what looks like a bath tub out the back on davits doesn't really do much for the looks, that said beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
Jolie Brise newly painted and looking fantastic at the start of her 109th season
Maybe as a result of lock downs or perhaps I just have too many other things to do, but I don't seem to as spend much time wandering around the local boatyards as I used to, which is a shame as there are often interesting boats to b.e seen
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