Thursday, 26 September 2013

Staines, Chertsey and friends

23rd Sept Monday

Travelled on to Staines, where Pete managed to let me off the boat at my friend's prop making workshop so that I could visit them. They have a great set up on the waterside and the smell of glue and fibre glass hit me and took me right back to my working days. I spent an hour catching up with George and hearing about how their business was going, they are obviously not short of work but it sounds hard at times. None of my other ex work mates were in on a Monday unfortunately, but I managed to see Ali briefly and for once he wasn't covered in polystyrene and gunk as he had just returned from TV studios. Don't recognise him scrubbed up! George and I talked about our families too - something we all used to do at lunchtimes in the good old days I remember fondly. I don't particularly miss the work (although I felt a small pang when I saw what appeared to be a request for a hand painted sign) but I do miss the people. It was good to see them even for that brief time.

Got back on the boat and continued to Chertsey where the sun came out after a very cloudy day and we met Sally at the lock and trundled on to Dockett Eddie moorings and oddly caught up with Morning Mist once again! The 3 of us walked back to the Crown pub, had a pint, met Stuart who had just returned from work and went back to theirs for supper. Fantastic to see them and Pete had a drool over Stuart's garages of vintage cars (a dear little Austin 7 that he races) and motor bikes, a Norton particularly taking Pete's fancy. He was like a kid in a sweetshop. Their camper van is gorgeous too - homely and fully equipped with everything you could want and in a clever layout. A Wendy house, like the boat. And I love the turquoise work tops, Sally!

Food was wonderful, mostly their home grown salad, fruit and veg. Lots of laughs and I got carried away with the moment and drank too much, but hey that's what it's all about. I just hope we didn't keep them up too late. We walked back through the still evening to a quiet boat - it was a good idea of Sally's to move on from the noisy lock area.



1 comment:

  1. It was lovely to see you both, and your splendid boat..not to mention the chance of a trip down the river.Setting off for another weekend in the 80's furnished camper van as Stu is doing a sprint in his Austin 7 at Snetterton..whooppee!Hope you'll call in on your way back up the Thames so we can continue the laughs,and by the way I love the foggy photos, very atmospheric...

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