Cruising & Weekends Away News

Our barge “Thistle” was the venue for a Golden Wedding celebration on January 2nd in Maldon. 

Although the weather was cold, it was a beautiful sunny day, so our happy couple chose to have a “Two Island” sail from Maldon Quay, past Northea Island, Heybridge Basin and to Osea Island before returning for a hot seated lunch on the Quay.

Their choice of lunch was our “Captains Table” menu, a basic but tasty lunch of Homemade Soup, Roast Beef with all the trimmings and Chocolate Raspberry Roulade.

Thistle’s next charter is a 50th birthday party, while Hydrogen is currently on the yard for winter maintenance.

On a sunny Saturday in April, “Hydrogen” was to be seen at Tower Pier, waiting for 50 guests to arrive to celebrate Sally’s 50th birthday.

Guests boarded, and with a glass of sparkling wine in hand, stood on deck to watch Tower Bridge being raised especially for the Hydrogen – Thames barges are one of the few vessels that they do this for.

We set off down river, going past St Kargerine Dock, Wapping, round the Isle of Dogs with Excel on our left and down past Greenwich towards the Thames Barrier.  Lunch was served as we went through the Barrier before turning round to head back towards the city and the bridge again.

Lunch Menu – Cold Fork Buffet

Chicken in a Creamy Lemon & Tarragon Sauce

Fresh Salmon Stir Fry

Mr Buntings Home Cooked Gammon

Mixed Leaf & Herb Salad

Tomato & Red Onion Salad

Hot New Potatoes

French Bread and Butter

 

Chocolate Raspberry Roulade

Coffee and Cream

 

12 to 25     Guests         £20.00   

26 to 40     Guests         £16.00   

41+            Guests         £15.00   

Last Saturday, the “Hydrogen” was the venue for a 65th birthday party on Maldon Quay.

The party was a surprise for the birthday boy who arrived blindfolded, unaware that the chosen theme was “Peter Pan” with guests waiting in the saloon in a variety of fancy dresses.
At the bottom of the steps, the birthday boy was dressed as Captain Hook by his wife, his blindfold taken off and suprise !

After champagne and nibbles, the 37 guests sat down to a meal of :-

Rustic Tomato & Basil Soup
Delia’s Luxury Fish Pie
Locally grown organic vegetables
Hazelnut Meringue with Rapsberry & Cream

All prepared by the Topsail Team.

The guests enjoyed a relaxing, convivial meal, accompanied by a keyboard player and departed at midnight.