River Trip - 18th June 2003

55 people gathered at the Car Park just up stream from the bridge at Walton on Thames. Members from the Burma Star Association, Epsom Probus, and friends joined some 24 members of the Club and their wives for the day.

Learning from previous years, members arrived before 11 0'clock and to our surprise the Walton Monarch, our boat was also early. We were due to leave at 11.30 but experience shows that early boarders get the best seats and with the early arrivals we cast off about 11.15. Probus members learn fast!

We sailed down stream passing through locks at Sunbury and Molesey.

A buffet lunch was provided and members helped themselves. The President kindly allowed everybody to precede him. The result was that although there was plenty he was short of some of his favourite food including cucumber, Danish pastries, and Coffee was served to members where they sat. The Bar was well used.

We soon passed Hampton Court, which looks different from the River and Kingston. The ladies would have liked to stop and visit the shops but time and the husbands would not allow any landing.

We turned a little above Teddington and returned to Walton at 3.30 p.m.

The weather had again been fine, our fourth lucky trip.

This is an interesting part of the River and all agreed we had had a 'good day'.

Derek Youell

Footnote:- The membership is very grateful to Derek for organising this trip and for his plans for the visit to Parliament later this year.