This rally became a first for motor boats only! The  tail end of an American tornado was the culprit, as high winds and buckets of rain made it horribly rough, cold and unseasonable for those of us with sails. Jonathan Hague, the organiser, had hoped for around four East Coast yachts. St Katherine’s Dock had given limited locking dates for any boat that was not one of the ‘classics’ invited to be on show during the Festival.

‘Goldie’ a Birchwood TS37, owned by Norman and Natalie Nathan had anticipated this. They were booked to lock in on the evening of Tuesday 6 September. Kazbek’s crew, Anne and Ian Malcolm, were joining ‘Goldie’ for this rally. Gales buffeted the East Coast and Thames’ Sea Reach overnight and all day on Tuesday. Norman negotiated a slot on the following day to enter St Katherine’s and we all hoped the wind would have lessened and the seas abated before making the passage. The winds were still too strong for comfort in any motor boat so the decision was taken, to book in to Limehouse Basin on Thursday 8 September.

Early Thursday morning, ‘Goldie’ set off. It was a full ‘foulie’ day, cold, choppy with the hint of drizzle in the air. Natalie served bacon sandwiches and hot coffee to all on the flying bridge as we motored down the Medway. Turning upstream at the mouth of the Medway, past the Richard Montgomery’s wreck, Sea Reach was rough with spray hitting us all on the bridge. It got pretty cold and looked dismal as grey clouds scudded overhead.

Arriving at Limehouse, and hoping to wait on the pontoon outside the lock gates, we discovered just how strong the wind and tide were, even though Norman had timed ‘Goldie’s arrival when the tide was slackest. We waited in the river while the bridge lifted and the gates opened by British Waterways staff. We had arrived and found the basin was full of many narrow boats, some Dutch barges and a few motor boats. Moored up near the ramp up to the exit, we listened to coots squabbling and ducks hoping for treats. One key was issued to each visiting boat as we were told the code to the shower block was not available in case the narrow boats took advantage! Shortly after arrival, Jonathon walked around the basin and was invited on board. He told us that due to the weqther, ‘Wight Wizard’ was not joining the rally. Sailing from the Deben in that weather would have been imprudent! He also said he and Ron would visit the Festival without ‘Hard Seed’ and that he hoped to have the rally dinner at a local pub. This made ‘Goldie’ the only boat to arrive in London.

The Festival was a crowded but enjoyable event. All six of us met up at the Dickens' Inn in St Katherine’s Dock where a convivial evening was enjoyed by all.

Limehouse has modern, yellow brick buildings all around the basin with the DLR clattering across the end furthest from the river. The weather remained fairly grey and showery until it was time to take ‘Goldie’ back to her home port Chatham.

Thursday 15 September, dawned bright and fair. It was an idyllic day, entirely suited to motor boats. There was not a breath of wind and the early sunlight made every aspect of the Thames look like Canaletto paintings. To sail Sea Reach with water like a mill-pond was incredible. The warmth was an added blessing after the bitter winds we had experienced during the summer. We enjoyed the motor boat only rally to London!