Since some of the rowers and riders booked in for Sunday 23rd have expressed an interest in what else will be available.....
...essentials first....... (water, - Yes, then drink and food!)
1) The pix of the departure point were taken yesterday evening, at near low tide.
2) Normally we would be departing at about an hour and a half before high tide. Predicted HW is 14.54 at Richmond Lock, and 13.52 at Tower Bridge. Therefore normal expected HW circa 2pm.
BUT
3) See this:-
http://totallythames.org/event/thames-barrier-annual-test-closure-2018 AND
4) The PLA warn of low fluvial (river water) flow in the Thames.
As I write this the actual depth at Chelsea is 0.41 metres below the predicted level.
5)
Well! You may need a drink after digesting that! You see the Putney Pier in the chart photo....? well, look at the lane (Watermans Lane) running south from the walkway onto the pier (i.e. at right angles to the river bank) ....and see the funny little building marked just where the lane turns a corner....well that is the Bricklayer's Arms, and it has consistently won awards as "The Best of British Pubs", "The Pub of the year" etcetera.
Last night they were just racking up, and settling down, this weekends guest micro-brews. In particular the "bevvy boys" may be interested to know that The Twickenham Brewery ales feature here. "Sundancer" and the new Autumn brew (had anyone noticed it will be the equinox day?), "Autumn Red".
6) The bad news is that The Bricklayer's Arms doesn't do food! Only beer. And very well!
7) The better news is that Putney locals assure me that there are about 40 food outlets within a quarter mile radius - and that is not counting the extra ones there for the "Foreshore Festival" !!!!!!!!
8) Those that don't want to have a fixed meal can use the Waitrose and Sainsbury supermarkets that are about 300yds away.
THAT'S ENOUGH FOR NOW.
HOW ABOUT
YOU PUTTING IN A FACT OR SNIPPET OF NEWS NOW, TO HELP "GEN-UP" OUR TRIPPERS????