Sunbury on Thames

We can't believe how quiet some of these moorings are on the Thames. Other than a very large ferry type boat that came through at about 10:30 last night, and returned the other way half an hour later, which was catering for a party, and had incredibly loud music thumping out, we had a really peaceful night.

This morning we set off just before 9am in dull but mild conditions and made ready at the Molesey Lock just the other side of Hampton Court bridge from where we were moored. The lock keeper was yet to arrive so we started to investigate the procedure to self control the lock, but just as we were about to have a go, the lock keeper arrived and saved the Thames from a possible major incident by cordially seeing us through.

Once through, and boy don't you feel small and insignificant when yours is the only craft in these huge locks, we found all the services available on the lock waiting wharf. So after a very fast water fill using their water reel, rubbish disposed of and elsan emptied, we set off again, and three miles later, having passed only two boats going the other way ( where is everybody) we arrived at Sunbury by 10:30. An excellent 24 hour free mooring is available just up the side 'by water' before reaching the weir, with plenty of room to turn the boat around.

The purpose of our visit was to visit Den Brock, a very dear old friend, who is actually a step uncle I suppose, and was waiting our anticipated 10:30 arrival at the mooring.

Den came aboard Josephine in a sprightly fashion, completely at odds with the fact that he is 95 years old this year.

We thoroughly enjoyed his visit, during which he revealed so much of his life experiences to us. Not least of all the remarkable fact that other than the war years, and a few weeks of his early childhood, which in itself was marred by some tragic events, his whole life has been spent living here at Sunbury.

Den also revealed some incredible anecdotes of the war years, including his being seriously wounded ( the only survivor of his patrol) and subsequent capture by the Germans in North Africa, some fascinating tales of incidents he was involved with as a prisoner, including being a part of a prisoner of war work party in the railyards  at Dresden the night of the infamous bombing raid, and finally how he was eventually in the 'care' of the Russians when Germany surrendered, and that he was not keen on the idea so encouraged and led some other prisoners to get away, and basically walked away heading west cajoling lifts from French and other allied units until reaching US troops who airlifted him to Belgium by Dakota, and finally by RAF Lancaster bomber back to Britain.

There were so many other incredible tales, I said he should write his life story. He said he already has, and that his daughter has it. I just wish he would publish it, I would love to read it. It is a life that is so full it is almost unbelievable to have been lived by only one man.

They call footballers and other sports personalities heroes, I  feel it totally dishonours the expression when you meet someone like Den. God bless him and all the others like him.

Den Brock