So yesterday started well…

An early start as a neighbour motored past and I decided to join him at Millmead Lock, then shopping at Lidl and B&Q for a crimp set to fix our amp gauge problem. On restarting the fridge alarmed and the smart gauge indicated low capacity on the start battery. I decided to move on hoping the alternator would charge it up. It didn’t, but the house battery did, indicating the start battery was defunct or on its way out. All thoughts of a shady mooring evaporated, we had to get to Pyrford Marina for a new battery. This involved 6 locks in 32 degree heat, exhausting H and myself. Fortunately we carried on travelling with our new found friend, halving the lock labouring.

We finally entered Pyrford Lock, and then Marina after saying good bye and thanks to our fellow boater. Finding Rachael, who sold T42 for us, had good and bad news. They don’t sell batteries anymore, but a mobile mechanic was on site who had one. He checked the battery under load, all good nothing wrong with it, ignore the smart gauge! By now it was 35 and we wanted shade, but whilst Rachael was there she informed us there was never a better time to sell and offered a good appraisal. I was sorely tempted there and then because the day had been so taxing. We told her we would think about it and found a tiny patch of shade outside the Marina. I had to move it every 30 minutes to keep it out the sun whilst H crashed inside the 30 degree cabin….

At 9:30 it dropped below 30 ! Time for tea and a cool shower….but no water……the fuse had gone on the pump….time for more running repairs, in which I found a loose connector on the smart gauge fuses..FIXED the original problem …..aaaHH

So this morning we had another early start, thru Pyrford Lock and onto a lovely shady spot at Walsham Gates. There is a RED ALERT for the area, Wisley is going to be the hottest spot in the UK with 40 degrees forecast today and tomorrow ! Emma, the lengthman at these gates, has just visited us checking all is ok and giving us permission to stay for more than 48 hours.

I don’t think we’re going to move soon ! battery and electrical issues permitting.

Making our way back from Godalming yesterday the temperature seemed to increase with every lock. We were so glad to find the perfect spot under some willows that we stayed here all of today as well. The weather forecast of 31, 35 and 39 ! over the next 3 days has forced us to change our plans. Mooring on the Thames is limited at best, let alone in the shade…….so it can wait until the weather cools ! The river Wey offers a lot more shady spots, many known to us.

So tomorrow we will head downstream for services, shopping and shade. I also have to do some electrical running repairs on the amp meter, luckily the smart gauge is now working giving us a good indication of battery condition and life. We must keep that fridge going…..and the ice creams it contains !

The last blog left off with us heading to Guildford. Luckily it was a cooler day, but we still struggled with effects of Jet lag and post virus weakness. I attempted to faint a few times doing locks, so took it very slowly with plenty of sit downs ! A stop was made a Lidl for provisions and Dapdune Wharf for services. Our usual stop at the bottom of Guildford High Street was rewarding with a craft fair, and a second hand camera lens for my Sony.

As usual Marks and Spencer’s provided anything you needed, except a new swim suit for Hazel. The Jaeger area looked good Mum. Then it was onto the meadows for a shady spot and a bit of boat polishing, tiller handle varnishing and a cooling shower !

This morning I was feeling a lot better, but the sun has come out and it’s about 28 degrees at present. We’ve made it to Godalming for a catch up with friends Mike and Sue.

As the Wharf was in full sun we are currently meandering our way back to Guildford, stopping under a shady tree for lunch.

Now do we move on or stay ……..

Well it seemed a long flight to the UK this year, but Qantas made things as comfortable as possible after a 3 hour delay. Sue from Kendall picked us up from Heathrow and dropped us off at Guildford where a hybrid Fiat 500 awaited us. Although it was 7.30 in the morning the temp was 23 and set to climb.

We did a quick shop on the way to Cartbridge Basin, then it was time to unpack. PT isn’t her usual pristine self this time. It looks like I have a lot of polishing, varnishing and general tidying up this year……After we had topped up the water it was 30 degrees inside, time to move to some shade. The upstream moorings at Send provided some temporary relief for lunch, but we had to move on as the sun came round and the boat interior peaked at 30 degrees !

This involved one lock, Triggs, where the jet lag and post viral conditions caught up. H almost fainted and I could barely climb out of the lock to give her a hand. Once thru and into twisty bits we found a nice shady spot to settle in. Having done so Sea Otter Wisper craised past with Brian and Jackie. It was good to catch up, they were instrumental in us moving to Cartbridge Basin.

Cheers SO owners

An early night……and an even earlier start, but that’s for later….

We had a wet start to our journey yesterday, the prop plane from Launnie was in cloud most of the time. After an hour in the Qantas lounge the next leg to Perth had an unusual East to West wind, significantly cutting flight time.

Our cottage at St Louis is so convenient when visiting Kiora, which itself is close to shops at Claremont Quarter, and hospitals which Dad is unfortunately currently working his way through.

Today was spent completing a little list of jobs for Mum, saying hi to Dad, and purchasing a new sports jacket…..I seem to have forgotten mine despite being carefully placed near the suitcase so I wouldn’t forget. I also tried to repair a suitcase that the Qantas baggage handlers had rearranged so that its handle couldn’t be extended. Unpacking and dismantling revealed it had received a blow sufficient to put a buckle in the tubing. Some gentle persuasion and a hammer has fixed it enough to be used. A family dinner finished a profitable day, hopefully Dad can join us next time ❤️

Tomorrow will be a long day…some 22 hours flying via Singapore. The next post hopefully will be in the UK…

With some gentle rocking Prime Thyme’s interior can be very inviting after a long flight.

It’s been exactly a year since the “Baku” incident, and we’re ready for international travel again. It will make a break from the numerous Tassie to WA trips we have recently done.

First up is a couple of weeks aboard Prime Thyme, cruising the River Wey and Thames. Our berth has been moved to the other side of the Marina. Not such a trek for the services and car park. As usual Penny has prepped the boat, and an engineer has serviced the engine and replaced a few bits and pieces.

We then set sail with Viking, a first for us and their Ocean ship, along the Norwegian coastline. Then up into the article circle and ending up in Iceland.

After a couple of days exploring we move onto the Shetland Isles, via Scotland. This will finish up with wool purchases filling up every nook and cranny in our suitcases. I hope to get a few more “Puffin” shots and enjoy the magnificent scenery. We’ve always visited on cruise ship day excursions so this time will be a little less frantic. My daily blog will resume next week, please enjoy it

Our Turkish Airlines leg was different, but good. A big feature is made of the food, with a chef in his big hat running up and down the aisles. Melbourne immigration was easy, and to our surprise the bags had made the connection. Qantas then really dropped the ball by putting us up at the Melbourne Airport Mantra. With a $60 food voucher we thought things were set, but the kitchen closed just as we arrived, there was no room service and they wouldn’t even turn the coffee machine on for us. The room was very tired, so overall it’s definitely not recommended. To negate this we elected to get out early, check in at the airport and have breakfast in the Qantas Lounge.

It’s a short hop over Bass Strait to Lonnie, with the cold being a bit of a shock as we waited for our pickup. But Cooper and Rosie gave us a warm welcome being super excited to see us again, a great job being done by our house sitters. It will be good to sleep in our own bed again.

So until the next time, Cheers from Tasotter

And another post……

Our departure from Baku was more organised than our arrival, with check in facilitated by a Qantas staff member flown in, together with the all important engineer to certify our engine.

There was an interesting range of lunch options, which we had been encouraged to eat, along with a hearty breakfast as there was no food restocking available for the next leg.

Our flight was due to take off at 4:30, but as boarding commenced just after 3pm it was never going to be met as we had to board by mobile stairs……really reinforcing what a big aircraft the 380 is.

At 6.30 we started to roll, with a big cheer as we left the ground. However a late departure was placing our onboard flight, a Singapore Airlines in Premium Economy, in jeopardy. The same crew was onboard, and listened to our stories in disbelief, but could see how we had all pulled together. The good news was the lady who had had a heart attack was doing OK and in hospital with her husband. We enjoyed the peanuts and drinks provided, but only dozed a bit with staff frequently checking in on us.

As we landed, with another cheer, we were informed that the Singapore Airlines flight could not be made……as I thought when checking my mail and finding a reservation for a Melbourne Airport hotel…..

Preceding to Transfer C we were given an option of staying in Singapore all day, catching the Qantas overnight flight to Melbourne and flying to Lonnie OR flying Turkish Airlines to Melbourne, Business Class, overnighting in Melbourne and flying to Lonnie the next day…..which is what we choose…..we’ve had enough nights onboard planes thank you.

There was time to get a quick shower and brekkie in the Qantas Club before making our way to the departure lounge. Of course our flight has been delayed 2.5 hours……we wouldn’t expect anything else ! At the moment we hope to get in on Thursday morning, after leaving London on Sunday….but there’s plenty of opportunities for the saga to continue….wish us luck !

So time for another post ? Not really, an enforced layover…

Leaving London we were just about to enter Afghanistan airspace when we turned around, and were informed a passenger had a serious medical issue, later learnt to be a heart attack. Luckily we had 18 doctors onboard ! so turned around and flew back for 1.5 hrs. After landing the patient was stretchered off, and then we were informed of an engine fault !

After sitting onboard for 2 hours, and having breakfast served, we de planned in groups and queued for a security check. We were then informed we all needed a visa, to be completed online, which involved uploading a photo of your passport. This took ages using the slow airport wifi, no Telstra here, and then a further wait for it to be issued.

It took just over 3 hours for this to be issued and emailed back. Then another queue to collect baggage, and another for immigration. Total time 6 hours…….It was amazing when the first visa’s started appearing…..cheers as if you’d won bingo. We certainly bonded over it with everybody helping each other out.

Of course after we got to the hotel……yes a long queue to check in

We are unsure when we are getting home, and have arranged our pet sitters to stay on until we do. This has necessitated them cancelling flights with no refund, so hopefully Qantas will pick up the cost, plus hotel, dinner, breakfast….etc. it’s going to be an expensive diversion for them

After a bit of rain we woke to grey skies again, at least it wasn’t pouring ! After changing the bed linen we idled downstream.

Numerous sleepy geese with crèches of goslings honked away, the Canada Geese have such a distinctive sound.

We seem to have found ourselves moored outside the New Inn at Send…so had a celebratory lunch, Scampi and Peas my favourite.

Poor Hazel has a very sore top lip, taking her coat off at Wisley yesterday she forgot about the camera around her neck…ouch.

After talking to a fellow Leica camera enthusiast, and exchanging emails, we completed the final run back to the Marina.

We are all tied up now. Power has been restored so everything can be charged up and the final load of laundry is on. Tomorrow we will finish packing, put the winter mooring ropes on and say our goodbyes. It’s been a wonderful 5 weeks, we’ve seen a lot of sights but are looking forward to getting home and seeing family and friends, not least of all 2 little dogos. Till next time, bye all.