Winter Edition

As it is now 1st November and the clocks have been set back an hour so daylight disappears about 4.30 pm and the cold is getting colder, we are knuckling down to face it head on. Well head on is hardly the right term as we get snuggled down with every opportunity really. We have had temps down to -2 only with highs of 9 and on Wednesday it snowed in the area. The first time snow has fallen here since 1935. Even the ducks are hidden in the riverside bushes and we haven't seen a squirrel for about 3 weeks. One dresses with as many clothes as one can fit on then adds jackets, beanies (not a pretty sight really) gloves and scarves and that is just to get out of bed.

No, I am stretching it a bit but sure need all those items when out in the breeze when it comes up but it doesn't stop the hundreds of kids attending the huge fun park, Thorpe Park, which is situated down the road a bit from here where all the rides like Ferris Wheels and Roller Coasters etc etc seem to be outside and goes until 9pm and the squeals from the kids shows they are not too cold or it may be the age gap perhaps.

People seem to still use their boats to get out on the Thames etc for a day out or a touch of fishing. The fish they catch is called Blink which about describes the size, but the anglers maintain they are ideal for bait for the bigger fish which are yet to be seen although there are some very large carp around the marina I am told which they do need to catch and get rid of.

I just wish I could show them pics of my mate Kerry Andersons very recent afternoon fishing in northern Hawkes Bay. where he caught 2 large crays, 3 snapper and a couple of gurnard I can imagine their eyes would have gone to water. Boat owners are now winterising their boats if they don't intend to use them over this period and we will have to do some of that ourselves so need to find out just what we need to do.

I know we often poke fun at our English cousins about how slow they are getting things done and it is easy to be critical but I have to tell you that from what we have seen the adage is correct. No one seems keen to get anything done quickly if it can be done in twice the time. We have had two instances which just made us note in awe. Firstly, three weeks ago we asked the local ship chandlery/repair shop to come and have a look at our wiring system to see if anything needed to be changed to make its use simpler (for us anyhow) and he wrote it in his diary along with our mobile phone number and you guessed it, to date nothing, zilch so they can't be too short of work or money.

We had another company come aboard to set up a Raymarine TV satellite dome so we could watch TV wherever without having to change the aerial position etc, here and in Europe. This was done under Rhonda's instruction so she could watch Coronation Street at all times when it is on. Well, the install took two full days due to the tradesman not arriving until 11.30 am and then having to go back to his base a couple of times for 10 mins which turned out to be 3 hours both times so we will see how all this pans out when it is time to pay the bill as they said "A day should be ample". Some of the local boat people say this is pretty normal really so I guess we will have to get used to it. Even in food shops there can be long, long queues as often there will be only one person serving while 4 or 5 others potter about making food up etc ignoring customers wants and needs. I am amazed how patient people can be. It sure wouldn't be tolerated in Kiwiland. Pretty much the same practice follows in the department food stores so we are practising our standing in line every day.

I have mentioned before about our proximity to Heathrow Airport and at any time of the day or night it seems we can see planes coming and going. The sky gets criss-crossed with vapour trails and it is not uncommon to have up to 7 sets of trails or lights in the clear night skies, however, the other night I counted 10 sets of lights as the big birds were taking off or circling ready to land. Quite a sight really.

While we are waiting to sort out a deal on a car, we are using public buses and trains and the services offered are quite marvelous as when you ride the buses they weave through the smallest roads in some of the suburbs which appeals of course to the elderly in fact some times you think that it is only the elderly who live here but then take a look at the cars and the parking lots and shopping centres and you realise just how many people of all ages are on the move at any one time. Parking is a nightmare with free parking almost out of the question and the parking areas charge a lot really and god help you if you over park. It is heavily fined and then towed in the blink of an eye. Most cars are the smallest models available due to parking and taxing plus the narrowness of many of the secondary roads. Gee, when you are riding a bus you just have to shake your head in amazement when you look ahead and see how narrow the road or lane is with cars often parked on one or even both sides and the bus has to manoeuvre through with other traffic coming towards them. It sure makes you appreciate the skill of the bus drivers and can understand a little better why the authorities are so tough on double or miscreant parkers.

Rhonda's Comment: A furry, woodland creature just to make a move on Ken's wallet.

Today as the weather was fine but overcast with temp of 12 degrees we decided to go to Staines and went to the movie Quantum of Solace, the latest James Bond thriller. Cost to get in to a matinee session GBP 6.65 so it is not cheap entertainment as you can work out, however, it was a good laugh and the special effects and stunt acting was amazing. Home to a very excited Harry as you can imagine then off for a walk in the big park which neighbours on to here where you can go fishing if you buy a licence, however, dogs are allowed to run loose so with a pathway of about 1 km it gives one a good bit of exercise.

There has been some rain further up stream over the past week and as a result the marina level has risen about 300mm or more so at least the ramps down onto the fingers are not so steep. The Thames has gone a bit muddy in colour too but I am told that this rise can drop as quickly but to expect this to happen over the winter months which may well restrict barge travel during this time.

Yesterday the city held it's official turning on of the Christmas lights in Regent Street and surrounding areas with thousands standing in the streets awaiting some obscure boy band, well it was to us, to count down from 10 to zero (a real achievement I would say judging by the look of them). The display on TV looks great and we hope to bring you pics of it in the next few weeks when we visit the area at night armed with our cameras.

Well to not be out done by all this excitement, Harry and I went for a night walk as the evening was clear however, upon our return back to the boat somehow when doing his usual jump from the dock onto the boat he slipped and fell down beside the barge and the jetty and momentarily disappeared below the water. When he surfaced I could only see a bit of him (thank goodness for his white colour) as he tried to dog paddle away from the boat but luckily he turned back when I yelled at him so by falling to my knees I stretched out and grabbed him by the collar and threw him back on the dock. So much for my crook shoulder but it worked and he was safe. Gee what a picnic with Rhonda issuing me with a hundred orders of how to ensure he never does it again etc. I must admit the old adrenalin pumped for a few hours. Today we watched him getting on and off the barge without any problem so it must have been a lazy jump last night, one which we hope he will not repeat, ever.

Today we heeded that famous saying by Lord Nelson "England expects every man to do his duty" and while that was in one of his famous sea battles, we followed suit to do our bit by travelling into the city to New Zealand House to cast our votes for the election of which the results will probably be known before you get to read this blog.

We could not help but notice all the preparations in the city for next Wednesday's memorial services for the 11th hour of the 11th month, 1918 when the armistice was signed to end the so called Great War ( World War 1 ) when over 9 million lives were lost in just 4 years and in which I had an uncle fighting and returning to new Zealand as a wounded and ruined man and Rhonda's grandfather's service in Gallipoli, Ypres and the Somme. As it is 90 years since that date, only about 5 old Tommies still live and they are aged from 109 to 112 which is amazing in itself.

We are looking forward to the commencement of the Rugby proper with New Zealand playing Scotland tomorrow and Australia and South Africa also touring, so our interest will be high. So sincere thanks again to those folk who have emailed our blog efforts, it would be great to see a few faces appear on The Followers section if you can manage it. Please keep that Kiwi and Australian news coming through and wish New Zealand well for the election tomorrow.