229. Sunset Cruise and Dinner, River Thames, 2 July 2024

My thank you event for the Court and Company had to involve water, so what better way than a sunset cruise on the Thames!  I wanted a memorable expression of thanks to members of the Court, Past Masters, Fellow Masters, Consorts and friends.

I took the advice of the Master Waterman and approached several companies to hire a boat for the evening. The first we declined when we found that the catering was not of the required standard. Everything was going well for the second boat until I advertised it to the Court and had more responses than could fit on the boat. So we got a bigger boat and filled it. The caterer was concerned how they could feed us all but I was confident it would work. On Monday morning I took a call from the boat company to say that the refuelling on Saturday night had resulted in contaminated oil getting to the engine and they offered a fourth boat …. the Wellington! I politely declined, as I knew the Wellington would not be cruising anywhere. Eventually they found one, albeit smaller than our original, and all was well.

It was a bit disconcerting when we arrived at Millbank Pier to see the boat sailing away, but were reassured when the staff arrived with the food at the Pier.  While the staff prepared the tables, Eileen and I prepared for our guests, enjoying the peaceful journey down river to Bankside Pier.

Quickly all our guests boarded and were welcomed with a glass of bubbles. We then chatted for 45 minutes while the boat cruised down river past Tower Bridge before turning round and heading up stream.

After a welcome to our guests I introduced the boat.  The Hurlingham was built in 1915 in that well-known shipbuilding city of Oxford and was a sister ship to the ill-fated Marchioness.  It was on standby for Dunkirk and served as a river ambulance in the war. I introduced the staff and crew, finishing with the Captain Kieran who was a fifth generation Waterman and Lighterman.

After Grace, ably given by Eileen, the meal had a North African theme, and everything seemed to include chickpeas. Slow-cooked Moroccan Lamb Tagine with chickpeas and African spices, Spiced Squash and Vegetable Stew with roasted pepper, Chargrilled Piri-Piri Chicken Pieces, and with three seasonal salads there was something for everyone.  We all made the most of the river view, relaxing and watching the city glide past.

After the desserts and toasts the Master said thank you a lot, ably supported by Past Master Mark Lane doubling up as MC and Beadle.

We took advantage of the warm calm evening to watch the evening lights of the cities of Westminster and London slowly pass by.  There was even a rendering of William Wordsworth’s poem “Composed upon Westminster Bridge, September 3, 1802”. 

Earth has not anything to show more fair:

Dull would he be of soul who could pass by

A sight so touching in its majesty:

This City now doth, like a garment, wear

The beauty of the morning; silent, bare,

Ships, towers, domes, theatres, and temples lie

Open unto the fields, and to the sky;

All bright and glittering in the smokeless air.

Never did sun more beautifully steep

In his first splendour, valley, rock, or hill;

Ne'er saw I, never felt, a calm so deep!

The river glideth at his own sweet will:

Dear God! the very houses seem asleep;

And all that mighty heart is lying still!

 

It was a magical evening with a super dinner.

Thank you to everyone for sharing such a lovely occasion.