A CHELSEA HOUSEBOAT

Wanted. Serious lottery win to buy
Chelsea Houseboat. Please.

 

I've had a lifelong love affair with the river Thames. A map of it adorns our hall wall. I read about it and dreamed of it for years before being overjoyed to dip a toe into it.  It has never disappointed me and I fully understand how that the Pre-Raphaelites fell in love with it and why they chose to live beside it on Cheyne Walk and later at Kelmscott Manor the Cotswold jewel that William Morris found and at Kelmscott House in Hammersmith. One who was perhaps the most romanced by The Thames was John Atkinson Grimshaw who moved to London in the 1880s and began to paint the river often.  For me he captured it better than anyone, even Turner or Whistler.




John Atkinson Grimshaw (1836–1893­)
Reflections on the Thames: Westminster



In my youth I toyed with the idea of living on a houseboat on The Thames. We lived in a small terraced house in Twickenham, across from the river with only an old ice rink and an alleyway to walk before being right on the river front. We could watch Richmond Bridge from an upstairs window, but plans were afoot to convert the whole sight to a housing estate and block all of our views. We looked at some boats for sale in idyllic spots along The Thames, but never really settled on one. Would our 4 cats take to living on water? Would the Parrots fly off? Did the pipes freeze in winter? And how would we ever afford a mooring on a desirable part of the river? It is amazing to think that back then I was probably far more sensible than I am now.

Instead we moved to a 4 story artisan made Italian style villa in Isleworth, again just 5 minutes from the river Thames. And now I live a very long way from The Thames indeed, but I am quite neat the Kennet Avon. I miss The Thames and the idea of living on it haunts me still. I often wish that I had just done it.

Who could not fall in love with this bohemian abode just by the Cheyne Walk in Chelsea?

And the boat even has it's own story too, besides being in the middle of a Pre-Raphaelite and 60s rock star paradise for history, art and architecture lovers. Not to mention the King's Road being a mere 10 minute walk with stunning views all the way.

The estate agent said:

"A wonderful opportunity to purchase this historic vessel located on the coveted Cheyne Walk Moorings, Chelsea enjoying views towards Albert Bridge and Battersea Bridge.

A bonafide war hero, having seen active service in WWII, 'mtb 219' has been converted into an atmospheric home exuding shabby chic and is comprised of 1013 square of accommodation including 3 bedrooms and a large deck area.

All houseboats at Cheyne Walk have the benefit of a night watchman, full maintenance team and CCTV for added security and are eligible for a Kensington & Chelsea parking permit."

Alas, as you can see from the photographs, it is now under offer. Good thing too, as it was totally out of my budget and though the family cats of old are long gone I doubt very much if Mrs Black and her Kitten would want to live with no garden even if the shops are nearby and it is bigger than our country cottage.

I hope that the lucky buyer appreciates that view and the gentle sounds of the lapping river as much as I would have.

 

Footnote:  You can read more about John Atkinson Grimshaw and his paintings of The Thames on:

The Public Catalogue Foundation  website here

CELEBRATIONS - Diamond Jubilee

The flotilla of boats by Tower Bridge.
Photo by Facunda Arrizabalaga - EPA

We live in a very peaceful little patch of English countryside and seldom venture out of it. It was madness of course, but we are glad that we went to London to see the Queen. It is not often that you have the opportunity to witness a Diamond Jubilee.

It was quite a pilgrimage. We drove halfway, to a station, to catch the train to Paddington and then a tube to Sloane Square. It was like stepping into the Tardis - so many memories came flooding back.  We headed for the Embankment just by Chelsea Bridge. 

Once upon a time, before I resided in this green and pleasant land I only visited and when I did,  I stayed just off the King's Road. Years later we were married at Chelsea Registry Office. Being there made me feel nostalgic for those days. It was a magical time and place in the 60s and 70s  It's still magical, and despite the weather (more on that later) it was wonderful to have a walk around my old haunts. Although I no longer want to live with the pace of life in London, there are some enchanting places there that will always be special to me. I fairly skipped up the King's Road towards the river.

The shops in the King's Road were well decorated. 

Cath Kidston's window

Ted Baker's window

I loved this window!

It is typical that the weather before the Diamond Jubilee week was warm and wonderful and on the day it rained ..... and rained. But Britain is green for a reason and all those lovely little patchwork squares of land would not be so pretty if they were brown. So, we just took our umbrellas, like everyone else.

Patriotic rain macs

The perfect pub to come across on the way.

These ladies were fabulously attired, wonderful to see people make an effort.

It was very crowded, the news estimated that a million people went. So much to see, both on the streets and the river. It was impossible to capture it all, I took many photos, but most of it is just tucked away in the memory now.

Everyone cheered and shouted as the Queen passed in the royal barge. It was a fantastic atmosphere that gave me, a history fanatic, a small glimpse into what it might have been like in the days of Charles II, or Henry VIII when the river played such a huge part in both daily life and good and bad occasions.

The royal barge by the Houses of Parliament
photo by Matt Candy, Getty

The weather forced cancellation of the flypast finale along The Thames and once the Queen had passed us the rain came down in buckets. We dashed back to the King's Road to a few favourite haunts for cover, shopping and coffee,  and then we had a long journey home.

This young boy watching the pagentry with wonder is the image I will most remember.