Winter Weather on the Thames

The briefing by the trip leader prior to our paddle from Putney to Wapping and back. Be careful what you wish for. . . . just a week ago I was lamenting the lack of Winter, and here it was, cold hands, cold feet.

Down the Thames under a wintry sky.

Darkness came very early under that leaden sky,

as we pushed onward down the Thames with the last of the tide.

On the beach at Wapping waiting for the tide to turn, luckily the Prospect Of Whitby had its access steps to the river open and we could retire into the warmth, hot chocolate was much more popular than a cold pint.

Once the tide was running nicely with us we set off upstream. Snow started,

flurries at first,

heavier and heavier,

finally settling on the boats. On the stretches into the wind, the flakes stung the eyes, we couldn't see much, but once clear of the Clippers in the Pool of London, we had the river to ourselves.

Eventually, we arrived back at Putney.

So, so cold loading the boats and slipping out of the drysuits. Mid winter madness? or was that what was afflicting everyone except us, watching Celebrity Whatever and missing out on the snow and the river. Now there was just the drive home!