Princess Freda

Yesterday Bertie and I walked up the towpath to Richmond for the first time in over three months. During lockdown there had been many too many cyclists, joggers and walkers to use the towpath safely but now it’s back to pre-virus normal and Bertie was off the lead most of the time.

He was wearing his new tag with pride.

The inscription is “obedience classes are for wimps”.

Here is the history of Princess Freda.

“Princess Freda was built in 1926 by T C Letcher, Cowes, Isle of Wight for Whatfords who operated river boats on the Thames and is a steel hulled launch with a Leyland/Thornycroft engine. A substantial river launch, her topsides were built of one continuous sheet of metal 150 ft long which was bent round the stern and joined at the bow. During World War II she served at the Dunkirk evacuation, ferrying troops from the shore to a waiting destroyer. She was sold in 1978 and acquired but not used by Thames Passenger Services who kept her as a spare boat. She was bought by her present owner in 1982 and restored to passenger service between Westminster and Kew/Hampton Court.” (National Historic Ships UK)

Freda took part in the wet Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Pageant in June 2012. Now it seems she may fall victim to to the virus, although I expect she will be able to run some sort of service next month. This morning I am attending my first video AGM. It will be a disappointment as the best part of the MP Evans AGM is lunch, usually outdoors and always with good food, wines and company.

It seems to me the only thing that’s changed in 57 years is that TV shows are pre-recorded and have lost the edginess of TW3. Oh, some of the jokes haven’t changed.