Rixons Adventures with NB Mr Badger

25/09/2026

Mega day! 20 miles and 8 locks!
Update later.

24/09/2026

Thursday
We had a lovely mooring in Sunbury and we both slept very well.
We were in Sunbury locks for 9 this morning. We have made really good headway today and have done 19 miles and 8 locks!
We cruised through Walton on Thames, past Weybridge and Chertsey. On to Staines upon Thames and Egham. Finally onto Windsor and Eton.
We are currently moored up just past Bray Film Studios!
Richard spent years working in this area and I worked in Eton for some time, so seeing some of the places we recognise from the river is quite strange!

23/09/2026

Cheers! Well earnt b**r and G&T

23/09/2026

23/09/2026

A shaky hyperlapse of the gauging lock!

23/09/2026

Wednesday
Today we left the Grand Union Canal and joined the Thames! 🥳One of the last locks on the GU canal called Clitheroes lock stinks! It was a definite smell of sewers with yucky water to match 🤢🤮🤢🤮
We headed on and filled up with water near to the Gauging locks (once we found the facilities!) This lock is hydraulic so we needed a key to operate it (see video)
We continued into the Thames lock which is manned and huge! The lock keeper told us he had let Teddington lock know we were on the way so it would be set for us. This is when it got scary as we now had to join the tidal Thames!!!!!😲😬
We turned right and were wooshed along! (We had to take it wide as there is a large mud bank under the water). We passed Isleworth and onto the Richmond lock, as its high tide the sluice gates were up and we could proceed under the bridge and not go through the lock (which is chargeable) on to Twickenham bridge and then Teddington lock, again manned and huge!
We filled in and paid for the river licence and had our lunch as we moored up.
We continued passed Kingston on Thames and Hampton Court Palace. We passed a practice water rescue with the ambulance and fire services. And there were loads of rowers that kept overtaking us 😅
The lock keeper at Teddington told us about free moorings in Sunbury on Thames by the lock so we have stopped for the night here. No-one else is here! 🥰

22/09/2026

Tuesday.
Had a very quiet day. Treated us to a yummy breakfast🥚🥑🍞 Richard had toast and marmalade.
We have played with the new camera as we intend on filming our Thames voyage. We looked at the routes for the next couple of days and possible mooring places to. We are both excited but a little nervous to about going on the Thames 🫣😬🥰🥰⚓️🛟🛥

21/09/2026

Monday.
We did some tidying up and had a sort out of the engine room in preparation for the Thames. We have got the life jackets and anchor out. Richard has de-weeded the water filter for the raw water intake. He has also greased his ni***es 😳 on the drive train. Everything looks fab. We walked into Hanwell so I could get some cold sore cream 🙄 I have never had one before!

20/09/2026

Sunday.
We set off early again (8am today)
Our 1st obstacle was Denham Deep Lock. Its 11ft deep! If you know me well you'll know I have a fear of heights especially over water!!!!! I was a bit worried this morning! But I smashed it!!
We made great head way and made the Hanwell Locks in good time (they are on restrictions and recommend you get into them by 1.30pm)
All along the tow path today the general public have been awesome! We have had lots of help with opening and closing of gates and interested folk asking all sorts of questions.
We are currently moored at the bottom of the Hanwell locks. Rookey era means we can't get through Brentford onto the Thames until Wednesday morning now. But after a busy few days we welcome a break!
Need Prosecco!