Kew Steam Museum.

Still moored at Brentford.

Saturday morning and a clear blue sky was a good omen for another good day out.

The Kew steam museum was the planned destination for the day. As we were unsure of how far away it was we decided to catch the bus. It’s a long time since I rode up front on the top deck of a double decker but a good sight seeing perspective. The bus took less than 10 minutes to reach the museum stopping right outside. It was advertised that this week-end was to be a full steam working week-end with the static machine’s and the narrow gauge loco all operating. However due to a shortage of volunteer’s (probably due to the rugby world cup, typical) only the static machines were working. With this in mind we opted to return tomorrow in the hope that the narrow gauge loco will be in steam.

The museum site was built by the Grand Junction Water Works Co between 1836 and 1900 with the purpose of supplying mains water supply for the area. The museum boasts numerous Cornish engines namely an Easton and Amos, an 1820 Boulton and Watt, an 1846 Grand Junction 90 inch engine, this being the largest Cornish engine still in steam and a 1838 Maudsley.

Also on site is the Standpipe Tower (pictured) built in 1867.

The Cornish engines pumped water up the tower to create high pressure water mains. The tower is only open at certain times and its adults only. We will have to wait and see what tomorrow brings before we decide whether to climb the tower or not, the information sheet appears to allow 20 minutes for the round trip, up and down. I’m guessing at least 200 steps cos’ it’s a long way up.

We opted to walk back to Brentford along the Thames walk where we had a look at all the old boats moored up along the bank being used as house boats. There were also some abandoned sunken rusted hulls. The walk only took 20 minutes to reach the Brentford shops. As it was still relatively early we turned the boat around so that I could try and get some more painting done while the good weather holds out.

797 locks, 1103.5 miles, 33 Tunnels, 39 swing bridges and 19 lift bridges since Nov 2006