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00:00:02,455 --> 00:00:05,246
I've always been fascinated
by the River Thames.
2
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It runs right through the place
I was born, London.
3
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Where my family have
lived for 300 years.
4
00:00:14,575 --> 00:00:17,726
Now, I'm going to get to know
it even more intimately,
5
00:00:17,726 --> 00:00:23,126
to find out what makes this one
of the greatest rivers in the world.
6
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I'm walking the Thames path,
discovering how we tame the river.
7
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One, two, three. Ugh.
8
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I did it!
9
00:00:31,325 --> 00:00:34,056
And that's it. Only another eight to
go.
10
00:00:34,056 --> 00:00:38,046
And I'm meeting the people whose
lives revolve around the Thames.
11
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We can actually trace ourselves
as fishermen
12
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and ferrymen from 1257.
Oh, you're kidding?
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This is what the Royal Waterman used
to do in Henry Vlll's time,
14
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row their king. Are you about ready
for me, yeah? Yeah.
15
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Oh, God, I'm going into the side
again. That's my toast.
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Oh.
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You've caught me about a third
of the way through
18
00:01:07,356 --> 00:01:09,826
my Thames path journey.
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Abingdon is just up ahead.
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Now, I'm going to be looking
at the midsection of the Thames
21
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which, for the last hundred years
or so,
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has been most famous for boating and
messing about in the river.
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From here, I'll follow
the river as it winds its way
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through the beautiful Thames Valley,
stopping off at Henley-on-Thames
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and then on towards the palace
at Hampton Court,
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a distance of around 100 miles.
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I'm just approaching Abingdon Lock,
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and you see how still and flat
29
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and essentially deep the Thames
appears to be,
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well, what I hadn't fully
reafised
31
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was that locks like this don't just
help the boats go to-and-fro,
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but they also manage the level of
the water
33
00:02:01,305 --> 00:02:04,425
all the way along the
whole length of the Thames.
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Before there were locks and weirs
to partially dam the river,
35
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the Thames hundreds of years ago
would have been far too shallow
36
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for all but the smallest of boats.
37
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Today, managing water levels falls
to the Environment Agency.
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This morning,
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I've got an appointment with lock
keeper Richard Hawkins...
40
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Hello, chap, nice to see you.
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...to learn the ropes.
42
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Round there. You've got it, mate.
Lovely job.
43
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Row your boats,
44
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and if you want to grab a back rope
off this gentleman here.
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I'm grabbing your back rope.
46
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Thank you very much.
47
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Does that go round there?
48
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Yeah, we'lljust take half a turn
around there
49
00:02:45,435 --> 00:02:47,066
and pass it back to him.
50
00:02:47,066 --> 00:02:49,276
So how does this work? Do I turn
this handle?
51
00:02:49,276 --> 00:02:51,466
No, unfortunately not,
it's a bit too warm for that.
52
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We are going to cheat and use
the buttons instead. Oh!
53
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It's controlled electronically.
Yeah, so just push that one in. Now?
54
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Yeah, go for it, hold them in nice
and tight. Here we go.
55
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Closing the gates! Keep your thumb
on him, sorry. Oh, all right.
56
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Not closing the gates,
closing the gates now.
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Now we're closing the gates.
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Consummate professionals, see?
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And we'lljust go all the way until
you see them close bang together,
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and that will make them mitre
together nicely.
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Once the gates are closed at each
end of the chamber,
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or pound as it's known,
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it can be filled or emptied to match
the water level
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in the direction the boat
wants to travel.
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OK, Frank, open
them up, mate.
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OK, my love.
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There you go.
68
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And you've got locks like this all
the way down the Thames?
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00:03:37,096 --> 00:03:39,535
Yeah, yeah. There's 45 locks
on the Thames,
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00:03:39,535 --> 00:03:41,256
plus one extra one on the tidal
Thames,
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00:03:41,256 --> 00:03:42,806
and essentially what they do
is,
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00:03:42,806 --> 00:03:44,686
if you imagine before all the locks
were built,
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00:03:44,686 --> 00:03:45,896
the river ran its own
course.
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00:03:45,896 --> 00:03:47,816
It was like, almost like a slippery
slope,
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00:03:47,816 --> 00:03:50,936
and putting locks in just turns
into a nice gentle staircase.
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00:03:50,936 --> 00:03:52,455
So we've sort of gentrified
it in a way,
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and made it slightly less dangerous.
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00:03:54,766 --> 00:03:56,896
Come and see us again.
Bye-bye now. See you later.
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00:03:58,846 --> 00:04:01,545
How many boats do you get
going through here on a busy clay?
80
00:04:01,545 --> 00:04:04,655
If we said, you know, August
would be our busiest, busiest month.
81
00:04:04,655 --> 00:04:07,246
We get about 3,000 boats in August
alone.
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00:04:07,246 --> 00:04:09,465
So on a weekday, about 100.
83
00:04:09,465 --> 00:04:12,655
Weekends, 150, maybe a little bit
more. So it's nonstop really,
84
00:04:12,655 --> 00:04:15,136
and we wouldn't be just putting
one boat in the lock like that,
85
00:04:15,136 --> 00:04:16,696
we'd be packing four or
five in,
86
00:04:16,696 --> 00:04:18,616
all different shapes and sizes,
87
00:04:18,616 --> 00:04:21,356
and that's part of the sort of
diplomacy of being lock keeper,
88
00:04:21,356 --> 00:04:23,996
really, is keeping all the different
river users happy.
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00:04:23,996 --> 00:04:25,466
So we try our best.
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00:04:26,906 --> 00:04:30,556
Before modern pound locks
like this one were introduced,
91
00:04:30,556 --> 00:04:33,476
travelling up and down the river
was far more risky,
92
00:04:33,476 --> 00:04:36,156
and involved the use of flash locks.
93
00:04:36,156 --> 00:04:39,106
There was one here at Abingdon
in the 17th century,
94
00:04:39,106 --> 00:04:42,826
which was simply a series of wooden
boards that held the water back,
95
00:04:42,826 --> 00:04:44,846
but which could be removed quickly,
96
00:04:44,846 --> 00:04:49,026
allowing boats to ride the resulting
flash, or cascade of water.
97
00:04:53,826 --> 00:04:56,826
This Victorian weir, which is still
in use today,
98
00:04:56,826 --> 00:05:01,156
uses large panels to hold water back
and gives us at least some idea
99
00:05:01,156 --> 00:05:03,906
of what it must have been like for
those early
100
00:05:03,906 --> 00:05:05,946
and very brave river
voyageurs.
101
00:05:05,946 --> 00:05:09,176
So these are like the old boards,
only these are made of metal.
102
00:05:09,176 --> 00:05:11,545
Exactly the same principle, yeah.
103
00:05:11,545 --> 00:05:13,696
What we're doing is, we've got a
removel sections,
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at the moment it's raised,
105
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so if you can imagine that this was
an old-style flash lock,
106
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the opening would be slightly
bigger,
107
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cos you might be struggle to fit
a boat through here,
108
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but it's the very same idea.
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They'd be board up on the opposite,
side ready to come down,
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I'd lift this up...
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And then this would happen.
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They would go down through there.
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So when these boards were lifted,
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you'd get all of this wild
water, wouldn't you?
115
00:05:36,086 --> 00:05:38,315
Exactly, yeah, as you can see.
It's a lot of turbulence,
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a lot of noise, so quite
disconcerting.
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00:05:40,236 --> 00:05:42,195
And would the boats
come down on this?
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00:05:42,195 --> 00:05:44,515
Yeah, they would, they would come
on through on what we call...
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This is the flash of water
they come down through.
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It would've been chaos, wouldn't it?
It would, it would.
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00:05:49,006 --> 00:05:52,886
Goring flash weir in the 16th
century, a passenger boat sunk
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and it was nearly 60 people killed.
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00:05:56,826 --> 00:05:59,036
To demonstrate the power
of the river,
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Richard has winched open one of the
heavy iron boards,
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00:06:02,476 --> 00:06:05,435
but damning the
river again is a lot cruder,
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00:06:05,435 --> 00:06:08,356
a lot more fun, and involves a large
mallet.
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One, two, three.
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Ugh.
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I did it! just like that, nicely
done! Listen, listen, listen.
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Its silence, isn't it? It's eerily
silent, isn't it?
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That is so effective.
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I bet you're glad you
have me here. Yeah.
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HE LAUGHS
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Controlling the water level at weirs
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is part of the job description
for lock keepers like Richard,
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and now I've dammed the river,
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water needs to be released elsewhere
to stop it flooding.
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Go make some tea during this bit.
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A little bit more, keep going.
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Perfect. Lovely stuff.
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And that's it.
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Only another eight to go.
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00:07:00,346 --> 00:07:03,676
And with that, I make my excuses
and a hasty retreat.
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00:07:09,275 --> 00:07:11,606
Just past the lock, the town
of Abingdon
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00:07:11,606 --> 00:07:14,676
is certainly worth a detour off the
river.
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00:07:14,676 --> 00:07:18,445
Its claims to be the oldest
continuously occupied town in
Britain.
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In the back streets, you can find
the remains of an abbey
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00:07:24,076 --> 00:07:27,746
that was built by Benedictine
monks 1,300 years ago.
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00:07:29,616 --> 00:07:33,846
Once upon a time, this was the sixth
most powerful abbey
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00:07:33,846 --> 00:07:37,576
in the whole country.
A massive enterprise.
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00:07:37,576 --> 00:07:42,646
Now, all that's left is this rather
elegant looking building here.
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It looks like someone's fairly
posh house, doesn't it?
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The building was most probably used
to accommodate visiting dignitaries.
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The most vivid evidence
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00:07:52,576 --> 00:07:56,746
of how glorious this place
would once have been is this.
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It's called the Long Gallery now,
and was built around about 1450.
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00:08:03,626 --> 00:08:07,376
Although, initially, it wouldn't
have been one long room,
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00:08:07,376 --> 00:08:09,976
it would've been divided into three.
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00:08:09,976 --> 00:08:13,455
Look, underneath this beam,
you can see the slots
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where one of the partition walls
would've been,
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00:08:16,266 --> 00:08:19,786
and there's loads of slots
all the way along here,
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because this would have been
a corridor
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00:08:22,906 --> 00:08:27,335
along which people could ambulate
and look out at that amazing view.
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Probably the best indicator
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00:08:32,256 --> 00:08:37,146
of how fantastic the place would
have originally looked is that.
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00:08:37,146 --> 00:08:41,976
Nobody seems to know quite
how old that wall painting is,
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00:08:41,976 --> 00:08:44,476
but it does look
medieval, doesn't it?
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And imagine this whole room was
covered in paintings,
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00:08:48,816 --> 00:08:52,956
which originally would've looked
like that. Pretty stunning.
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On a day like today,
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00:09:00,706 --> 00:09:04,545
Abingdon is such a beautiful, quiet,
tranquil, place,
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00:09:04,545 --> 00:09:08,576
but 300 years ago, it would have
been very different around here.
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The wharfs were all along here,
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00:09:11,095 --> 00:09:15,545
this was a place about buying,
selling, commerce, industry,
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the boats would've been coming
in and out all the time.
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The noise would've been incredible.
177
00:09:20,766 --> 00:09:25,766
The stink would have been awful
from the manufacturer of candles,
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00:09:25,766 --> 00:09:29,636
from the leather tanning,
from the brewing. Talking of which,
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00:09:29,636 --> 00:09:33,056
there were about 50 pubs
around here at that time.
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00:09:33,056 --> 00:09:37,275
So in order to reflect
on what the people of Abingdon
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00:09:37,275 --> 00:09:39,486
used to do, I'm going
to going for quick one.
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00:09:40,556 --> 00:09:42,046
I'll see you back on the river.
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00:09:44,075 --> 00:09:45,256
Coming UP---
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00:09:45,256 --> 00:09:48,556
...how the Victorians fell
in love with the Thames...
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00:09:48,556 --> 00:09:50,996
Whoa, yeah. You really feel
the wind kicking, don't you?
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00:09:50,996 --> 00:09:52,616
Yeah, that's it.
187
00:09:52,616 --> 00:09:54,486
...and keeping the river clean.
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00:09:54,486 --> 00:09:56,636
So that is raw sewage.
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00:09:56,636 --> 00:09:58,366
Things get a bit messy.
190
00:10:01,195 --> 00:10:02,486
It's a bit salty.
191
00:10:14,445 --> 00:10:16,365
My Thames path walk
192
00:10:16,365 --> 00:10:19,206
has brought me to the almost
picture-perfect village
193
00:10:19,206 --> 00:10:21,595
of Clifton Hampden in the heart of
Oxfordshire.
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00:10:23,706 --> 00:10:26,826
It's long been renowned
for its chocolate box charm,
195
00:10:26,826 --> 00:10:30,236
but almost demands that you linger
for a while on the river.
196
00:10:35,106 --> 00:10:36,816
It's great just sitting on the bank
197
00:10:36,816 --> 00:10:39,056
watching the fish jump
up to catch the flies.
198
00:10:45,016 --> 00:10:49,255
This is the exact opposite of
how this place would've been
199
00:10:49,255 --> 00:10:53,495
when the Thames was the main
commercial route out of London.
200
00:10:53,495 --> 00:10:58,096
There were 2,500 of those working
the Thames in those clays,
201
00:10:58,096 --> 00:11:01,806
a steady stream of them coming
up towards Lechlade,
202
00:11:01,806 --> 00:11:05,676
then turning onto the canal towards
Bristol.
203
00:11:05,676 --> 00:11:09,575
Then, boof. Almost overnight
the railways came,
204
00:11:09,575 --> 00:11:14,766
and the river ceased to be the most
viable way of transporting goods.
205
00:11:14,766 --> 00:11:17,216
And what filled that gap?
206
00:11:17,216 --> 00:11:20,656
Leisure boating. The Victorians
loved it.
207
00:11:22,406 --> 00:11:25,455
By the 19th century,
for middle-class Victorians,
208
00:11:25,455 --> 00:11:27,736
going upriver became
the thing to do.
209
00:11:29,806 --> 00:11:33,595
They put on their finest clothes,
dresses and hats for the ladies,
210
00:11:33,595 --> 00:11:37,036
blazers and flannels for the men,
and take to the water.
211
00:11:43,316 --> 00:11:46,626
The more adventurous would think
nothing of rowing two or three clays
212
00:11:46,626 --> 00:11:48,826
upstream for a little break,
213
00:11:48,826 --> 00:11:52,116
particularly if they had one
of those.
214
00:11:52,116 --> 00:11:55,186
A skiff. I might just
give it a go myself.
215
00:11:59,595 --> 00:12:04,416
I'd arranged to get on the river
with Tom Balm in his antique skiff.
216
00:12:04,416 --> 00:12:07,316
Hi, Tom. Hello. Hi, Tony.
217
00:12:07,316 --> 00:12:09,826
He's something of a classic Thames
enthusiast,
218
00:12:09,826 --> 00:12:13,556
and rents out skiffs like this to
people who want to sample the life
219
00:12:13,556 --> 00:12:15,446
of a Victorian boater.
220
00:12:17,756 --> 00:12:20,036
How long have there been
skiffs around for?
221
00:12:20,036 --> 00:12:23,265
I would say the 15th century,
16th century,
222
00:12:23,265 --> 00:12:26,595
there's been skiffs around.
What were they used for then?
223
00:12:26,595 --> 00:12:29,275
They would have been commercial
craft
224
00:12:29,275 --> 00:12:32,436
for the purposes of ferrying their
customers,
225
00:12:32,436 --> 00:12:35,866
due to the lack of bridges
that were being built back then.
226
00:12:35,866 --> 00:12:38,076
You wouldn't have been able
to have done much on them,
227
00:12:38,076 --> 00:12:39,906
they wouldn't have been goods
vessels, would they?
228
00:12:39,906 --> 00:12:42,946
They wouldn't have been heavy goods,
no. People passenging.
229
00:12:42,946 --> 00:12:44,626
Yeah. Yeah.
230
00:12:44,626 --> 00:12:48,236
It was the versatility of the skiff
that led to its popularity
231
00:12:48,236 --> 00:12:51,036
during the leisure
boom of the 1880s.
232
00:12:51,036 --> 00:12:53,275
Thousands were built as rental
boats.
233
00:12:53,275 --> 00:12:55,436
They came in one or two oar
versions.
234
00:12:57,636 --> 00:12:59,595
And there was an option of adding
a sail,
235
00:12:59,595 --> 00:13:02,966
so you could make good headway on
an escape from London.
236
00:13:02,966 --> 00:13:05,345
So are you going to put the sail
up? Yeah.
237
00:13:05,345 --> 00:13:08,236
Let's hope we get the wind.
We've got the sculls here, too.
238
00:13:08,236 --> 00:13:11,265
Get us back. Reasonable progress.
Whoa!
239
00:13:11,265 --> 00:13:12,836
\ Well saved. I
240
00:13:12,836 --> 00:13:15,706
Get it pulled up right the way to
the top.
241
00:13:15,706 --> 00:13:17,475
Reminds me of a little Thames barge.
242
00:13:17,475 --> 00:13:19,786
And we are making gentle
progress there, I believe.
243
00:13:19,786 --> 00:13:22,786
Pull on that rope. Yep.
Good pull.
244
00:13:22,786 --> 00:13:24,706
You can feel the power
in your hands,
245
00:13:24,706 --> 00:13:26,776
the power of the wind.
246
00:13:26,776 --> 00:13:29,496
Whoa, yeah, you really feel
the wind kicking, can't you?
247
00:13:29,496 --> 00:13:30,626
Yeah, that's it.
248
00:13:31,706 --> 00:13:33,395
A nice bit of pace.
249
00:13:37,405 --> 00:13:39,716
I love that solitary
buzzard up there.
250
00:13:47,275 --> 00:13:49,475
Yeah, you can really imagine,
can't you,
251
00:13:49,475 --> 00:13:52,066
being Victorian, taking
three clays off.
252
00:13:52,066 --> 00:13:53,676
Leaving work on Friday afternoon,
253
00:13:53,676 --> 00:13:56,896
getting back after lunch
on the Monday, possibly.
254
00:14:00,046 --> 00:14:03,176
It became popular to camp
on trips upriver.
255
00:14:03,176 --> 00:14:04,946
There was even a version
of a skiff
256
00:14:04,946 --> 00:14:07,215
that came complete with its own
tent,
257
00:14:07,215 --> 00:14:09,496
and which Tom is keen to
demonstrate
258
00:14:09,496 --> 00:14:13,325
as a viable option for accommodation
this evening.
259
00:14:13,325 --> 00:14:17,896
So four iron hoops,
with a complete tent.
260
00:14:17,896 --> 00:14:20,205
People really would
sleep overnight in one?
261
00:14:20,205 --> 00:14:24,205
Yeah, absolutely. Yep, entire
families would sleep on here.
262
00:14:24,205 --> 00:14:26,976
That's ridiculous. Yeah. Yep.
263
00:14:26,976 --> 00:14:30,056
You don't really need anything else,
you've got your boat.
264
00:14:30,056 --> 00:14:32,255
OK. That's it.
265
00:14:32,255 --> 00:14:35,205
And then it's just
draped over the top.
266
00:14:35,205 --> 00:14:36,936
You could say that in a way,
267
00:14:36,936 --> 00:14:39,766
this was the VW camper van
of its day.
268
00:14:39,766 --> 00:14:44,335
Some savvy skiff rental companies
even offered a collection service,
269
00:14:44,335 --> 00:14:47,145
so when you'd had enough, you
could simply dump the boat,
270
00:14:47,145 --> 00:14:49,826
and make your way back to London by
train.
271
00:14:49,826 --> 00:14:52,196
Hey!
272
00:14:52,196 --> 00:14:56,385
Oh, actually, that took a remarkably
short time, didn't it?
273
00:14:56,385 --> 00:14:58,576
I beg your pardon? I said...!
274
00:14:58,576 --> 00:15:00,486
THEY LAUGH
275
00:15:00,486 --> 00:15:02,970
...it took a remarkably short time,
actually, didn't it?
276
00:15:02,970 --> 00:15:04,860
They are quick. Yeah.
277
00:15:04,860 --> 00:15:07,029
Where did they sleep?
They were a pleasure.
278
00:15:07,029 --> 00:15:11,539
They would have slept
underneath the canvas.
279
00:15:13,539 --> 00:15:16,548
And then we have here our beds.
280
00:15:16,548 --> 00:15:19,909
So that's how they would've slept?
That's how they would've slept. Yep.
281
00:15:19,909 --> 00:15:22,108
Just there like that. Absolutely.
282
00:15:22,108 --> 00:15:25,108
That looks
really comfortable, Tom.
283
00:15:25,108 --> 00:15:27,389
Let me demonstrate what else
they might have done,
284
00:15:27,389 --> 00:15:29,949
because sometimes they would park
the skiff like that,
285
00:15:29,949 --> 00:15:34,279
and picked up their bag and gone
to the pub for the night.
286
00:15:35,589 --> 00:15:38,539
Cheers mate. Very good.
Thanks so much.
287
00:15:38,539 --> 00:15:39,989
Night-night.
288
00:15:45,849 --> 00:15:49,649
The Thames has long been an
important water source,
289
00:15:49,649 --> 00:15:53,809
supplying Oxford, Swindon, and 80%
of tap water in London.
290
00:15:57,179 --> 00:16:02,289
Every day, 5 million tonnes of water
move along the Thames
291
00:16:02,289 --> 00:16:03,969
as it approaches London.
292
00:16:05,889 --> 00:16:08,448
Of course, it's treated
before we drink it,
293
00:16:08,448 --> 00:16:10,889
and treated after we drink it...
294
00:16:10,889 --> 00:16:15,128
...which is where I'm taking a short
detour off the river at Reading,
295
00:16:15,128 --> 00:16:19,529
to find out what goes on at Thames
Water's most advanced sewage plant.
296
00:16:20,759 --> 00:16:22,809
Now, I know this kind of detour
297
00:16:22,809 --> 00:16:27,338
might seem a bit weird for a Thames
walker, but when I heard that
298
00:16:27,338 --> 00:16:31,198
before water from the upper Thames
reaches London
299
00:16:31,198 --> 00:16:33,809
it's been recycled
eight times,
300
00:16:33,809 --> 00:16:36,969
I had to find out the dirty
facts for myself.
301
00:16:38,849 --> 00:16:42,479
Less than 200 years ago, the answer
for dealing with sewage
302
00:16:42,479 --> 00:16:47,099
for many riverside towns was simply
to deposit it in the river,
303
00:16:47,099 --> 00:16:49,208
with disastrous consequences.
304
00:16:50,559 --> 00:16:52,128
In London, by the 1850s,
305
00:16:52,128 --> 00:16:55,328
as these satirical depictions
of the day show,
306
00:16:55,328 --> 00:16:57,839
the Thames was a filthy place.
307
00:16:57,839 --> 00:17:02,089
Indeed, so full of raw sewage, it
was quite literally poison,
308
00:17:02,089 --> 00:17:05,889
and outbreaks of cholera
and typhoid weren't uncommon.
309
00:17:06,919 --> 00:17:09,899
These clays, modern processing plants
like this one
310
00:17:09,899 --> 00:17:13,099
that services Reading, can recycle
raw sewage
311
00:17:13,099 --> 00:17:17,289
and return clean water to the
environment in less than 24 hours.
312
00:17:17,289 --> 00:17:18,769
Cheers, mate.
313
00:17:18,769 --> 00:17:22,739
The reason I'm getting all
suited-and-booted up is cos Barry
here
314
00:17:22,739 --> 00:17:25,208
is going to chuck me in at the
deep-end in a minute.
315
00:17:25,208 --> 00:17:27,419
I certainly am. Do you want to come
this way, Tony,
316
00:17:27,419 --> 00:17:30,489
and I'll show you where it all comes
in. Yeah, yeah.
317
00:17:30,489 --> 00:17:32,179
This is the start of the process.
318
00:17:33,769 --> 00:17:37,999
So that is raw sewage.
That is raw sewage.
319
00:17:37,999 --> 00:17:43,619
An astounding 175 million litres
pass through here every day.
320
00:17:43,619 --> 00:17:46,509
It doesn't actually stink as bad
as you think it would, does it?
321
00:17:46,509 --> 00:17:49,099
It doesn't. Water, it
very rarely smells.
322
00:17:49,099 --> 00:17:52,258
But there are still some dirty jobs
that need manual handling,
323
00:17:52,258 --> 00:17:54,289
which is where I come in,
324
00:17:54,289 --> 00:17:57,559
removing foreign objects
from the inlet screens.
325
00:17:57,559 --> 00:18:01,258
And you can see that's
all your rags and plastics and...
326
00:18:01,258 --> 00:18:03,929
That's just stuff that's
come through the sewer,
327
00:18:03,929 --> 00:18:06,138
but you can't process any other way?
328
00:18:06,138 --> 00:18:08,599
There's no way that that will
dissolve,
329
00:18:08,599 --> 00:18:12,839
we want to get as much rag and fat
and paper and grit out of it
330
00:18:12,839 --> 00:18:14,118
as humanly possible.
331
00:18:14,118 --> 00:18:15,729
I can see a few wet wipes there.
332
00:18:15,729 --> 00:18:17,238
333
00:18:17,238 --> 00:18:19,629
I believe this is yours.
Oh, God...
334
00:18:19,629 --> 00:18:22,909
It's part of your training,
just hook it off.
335
00:18:22,909 --> 00:18:24,079
TONY GROANS
336
00:18:24,079 --> 00:18:26,349
There we go. Lovely stuff.
337
00:18:28,079 --> 00:18:30,719
They eat a lot of sweetcorn
in Reading, don't they?
338
00:18:30,719 --> 00:18:34,039
They certainly do. We like to be
healthy. Yeah.
339
00:18:34,039 --> 00:18:38,328
Picking through the private deposits
of 220,000 Reading residents
340
00:18:38,328 --> 00:18:40,639
isn't exactly the best job in the
world...
341
00:18:40,639 --> 00:18:43,099
Just turn the handle and turn it on.
342
00:18:43,099 --> 00:18:45,819
...but it needs doing twice a week
across eight screens.
343
00:18:52,619 --> 00:18:54,049
It's a bit salty.
344
00:18:59,899 --> 00:19:01,739
The next stage is automated.
345
00:19:01,739 --> 00:19:06,208
The sewage is separated into number
ones and number twos.
346
00:19:06,208 --> 00:19:09,205
Liquids are filtered
in the settlement ponds,
347
00:19:09,205 --> 00:19:12,529
where bacteria naturally
neutralise impurities.
348
00:19:13,711 --> 00:19:15,831
The solids are dealt
with by other means.
349
00:19:17,350 --> 00:19:20,340
Right, if you want to know
what happens to the poo,
350
00:19:20,340 --> 00:19:25,411
in here, it's mixed up with a
thickener...
351
00:19:25,411 --> 00:19:29,491
...and then it's taken along
here...
352
00:19:29,491 --> 00:19:35,130
...where it's ploughed, and a lot
of the water is taken out of it,
353
00:19:35,130 --> 00:19:39,681
so that by the time it gets to
here...
354
00:19:41,091 --> 00:19:43,000
...it's really quite dry.
355
00:19:44,250 --> 00:19:47,541
I'm really glad
I shared that with you.
356
00:19:47,541 --> 00:19:50,330
And the resulting sludge is then
pasteurized
357
00:19:50,330 --> 00:19:52,361
inside giant digesters,
358
00:19:52,361 --> 00:19:55,411
where the methane it produces is
used to generate
359
00:19:55,411 --> 00:19:58,631
45% of the plant's electricity
needs.
360
00:19:58,631 --> 00:20:03,201
The final residue is recycled
for use in agriculture.
361
00:20:03,201 --> 00:20:05,971
And the water? Well, after just 18
hours,
362
00:20:05,971 --> 00:20:10,701
those former household flushes
are released into the river Kennett,
363
00:20:10,701 --> 00:20:14,411
a nearby tributary of the Thames.
That looks pretty clean, doesn't it?
364
00:20:14,411 --> 00:20:17,171
It does, shall we go and take a
sample? See how clean it is?
365
00:20:17,171 --> 00:20:21,071
At this stage, it's not
safe to drink.
366
00:20:21,071 --> 00:20:23,661
It will be treated again
before it comes through your tap,
367
00:20:23,661 --> 00:20:25,791
but it's definitely clear.
368
00:20:27,511 --> 00:20:30,270
So there you are, then, that will go
into the river Kennett,
369
00:20:30,270 --> 00:20:31,741
and on into the Thames
370
00:20:31,741 --> 00:20:35,741
where it'll continue to be treated
naturally by the sun
371
00:20:35,741 --> 00:20:38,991
and microbes and water plants.
372
00:20:38,991 --> 00:20:42,671
Until, eventually, one day
it will be used to clean the car
373
00:20:42,671 --> 00:20:44,591
or someone will drink it,
374
00:20:44,591 --> 00:20:47,921
and it will find its way
back here again.
375
00:20:47,921 --> 00:20:50,150
And as for the human waste,
376
00:20:50,150 --> 00:20:53,591
well, that has been turned
into sludge cake,
377
00:20:53,591 --> 00:20:55,561
which the farmer will use.
378
00:20:57,880 --> 00:20:59,271
Coming UP---
379
00:20:59,295 --> 00:21:01,055
...in the rowing town of Henley...
380
00:21:01,055 --> 00:21:02,344
Race pace!
381
00:21:02,344 --> 00:21:05,825
...I find out what it takes
to be part of an elite team...
382
00:21:06,985 --> 00:21:08,895
I think I overruddered there.
383
00:21:08,895 --> 00:21:12,285
...and I Captain a boat
that's much more my style.
384
00:21:12,285 --> 00:21:13,905
This is lovely, isn't it?
385
00:21:13,905 --> 00:21:19,014
I've already got the elbow out the
window, one-handed driving.
386
00:21:19,014 --> 00:21:21,144
I've only been driving
it for 30 seconds.
387
00:21:29,064 --> 00:21:33,735
I'm walking the Thames from source
to sea, following the Thames path,
388
00:21:33,735 --> 00:21:35,685
Europe's longest river sidewalk.
389
00:21:38,195 --> 00:21:41,485
I'm now about halfway
along the river's 200 mile length
390
00:21:41,485 --> 00:21:43,765
in the town of Henley-on-Thames.
391
00:21:48,605 --> 00:21:51,509
This Oxfordshire town has long
been important
392
00:21:51,510 --> 00:21:54,080
as a trading hub on the route to
London by River.
393
00:21:55,710 --> 00:21:59,249
Records show a bridge
here nearly 800 years ago...
394
00:22:00,630 --> 00:22:04,710
...but in 1857, the arrival
of the train line transformed
395
00:22:04,710 --> 00:22:08,150
this place virtually overnight
into a leisure resort.
396
00:22:09,909 --> 00:22:12,760
In the late-19th century,
if you were a Londoner,
397
00:22:12,760 --> 00:22:16,390
you could get the train all the way
upriver to here
398
00:22:16,390 --> 00:22:20,210
to potter around on the river,
and it became really popular.
399
00:22:20,210 --> 00:22:23,869
In fact, one summer's day in 1888,
400
00:22:23,869 --> 00:22:28,330
nearly 7,000 people arrived
here from Paddington.
401
00:22:28,330 --> 00:22:31,280
It was like Benidorm-on-sea...
402
00:22:31,280 --> 00:22:32,560
...but a bit posher.
403
00:22:35,760 --> 00:22:38,360
And central to the town's popularity
404
00:22:38,360 --> 00:22:41,139
as the place to be seen in Victorian
times
405
00:22:41,139 --> 00:22:43,170
was the annual Henley Regatta.
406
00:22:43,170 --> 00:22:46,730
It got incredibly popular and, so,
many boats lined the river,
407
00:22:46,730 --> 00:22:50,380
you could virtually walk from one
side to the other.
408
00:22:50,380 --> 00:22:53,889
Local newspapers complained
the Thames was being invaded
409
00:22:53,889 --> 00:22:56,710
by roughnecks and
working-class savages.
410
00:22:58,710 --> 00:23:01,850
Today, it's still a major sporting
and social event,
411
00:23:01,850 --> 00:23:04,500
held in the first week of July.
412
00:23:04,500 --> 00:23:06,700
They're setting up for the Regatta
now.
413
00:23:06,700 --> 00:23:11,180
Takes about eight weeks to put
in all the pontoons and grandstands
414
00:23:11,180 --> 00:23:13,660
and corporate hospitality tents.
415
00:23:13,660 --> 00:23:16,660
And the thing has become so popular
416
00:23:16,660 --> 00:23:21,090
that it can cost up to two grand
for the full five-day experience.
417
00:23:24,660 --> 00:23:27,939
Central to the Regatta is the
head-to-head rowing races,
418
00:23:27,939 --> 00:23:32,100
and there's no team more successful
than the Leander Rowing Club.
419
00:23:33,610 --> 00:23:35,970
Their clubhouse is right
next to the bridge.
420
00:23:39,290 --> 00:23:43,180
Inside, you are left in no doubt
you are in the home of greatness.
421
00:23:45,180 --> 00:23:49,380
They are Britain's most historic
and most successful sports team,
422
00:23:49,380 --> 00:23:52,180
with 124 Olympic medals to prove it.
423
00:23:53,260 --> 00:23:55,019
Come and look at all of these.
424
00:23:55,019 --> 00:23:57,580
Leander Olympic gold medal winners.
425
00:23:57,580 --> 00:24:00,170
Redgrave, Redgrave, Redgrave,
426
00:24:00,170 --> 00:24:01,460
Pinsent, Pinsent, Pinsent,
427
00:24:01,460 --> 00:24:02,899
Cracknell.
428
00:24:02,899 --> 00:24:04,110
Here's one.
429
00:24:04,110 --> 00:24:08,740
WGRM Laurie. That's Hugh's dad.
430
00:24:08,740 --> 00:24:10,350
I can't see mine anywhere.
431
00:24:12,990 --> 00:24:15,970
So what's the key
to producing champions?
432
00:24:18,530 --> 00:24:20,660
Hard work and dedication, obviously.
433
00:24:22,290 --> 00:24:25,360
But could it be the breakfasts?
After all, it's 9am
434
00:24:25,360 --> 00:24:28,660
and this lot have already been out
training on the river.
435
00:24:28,660 --> 00:24:32,350
Now, they are on their second
breakfast of the day.
436
00:24:32,350 --> 00:24:34,540
God, look at this diet.
437
00:24:34,540 --> 00:24:38,889
First breakfast, cereal, banana,
milk, juice, toast, spread, honey.
438
00:24:38,889 --> 00:24:40,580
Then a litre of sports drink.
439
00:24:40,580 --> 00:24:42,300
Second breakfast.
440
00:24:42,300 --> 00:24:45,540
Three slices of toast, two poached
eggs, portion of mushrooms,
441
00:24:45,540 --> 00:24:49,590
200g of baked beans, blah,
blah, blah, afternoon snack, blimey.
442
00:24:49,590 --> 00:24:54,069
Fish, meat, potatoes, bleugh,
I can't get through it.
443
00:24:54,069 --> 00:24:58,069
6,230 calories. God,
that would make you fat.
444
00:25:00,430 --> 00:25:01,899
Well, when in Rome...
445
00:25:03,780 --> 00:25:05,809
Why did you only get that?
What?
446
00:25:05,809 --> 00:25:08,100
Why did you only get that?
Because that's my toast.
447
00:25:08,100 --> 00:25:09,110
Oh.
448
00:25:11,740 --> 00:25:13,430
That would explain it.
449
00:25:13,430 --> 00:25:14,699
Do you want butter?
450
00:25:19,420 --> 00:25:22,460
So what's the point in taking
all this on board?
451
00:25:22,460 --> 00:25:24,390
It's just the volume
of training that we do.
452
00:25:24,390 --> 00:25:26,580
Yeah. So, it's obviously an
endurance sport,
453
00:25:26,580 --> 00:25:29,470
and you are burning such
a large number of calories anyway.
454
00:25:29,470 --> 00:25:31,100
Yeah. Thank you.
455
00:25:31,100 --> 00:25:33,149
That's more like it. Yeah, yeah.
456
00:25:33,149 --> 00:25:35,889
So, I mean, we've got another
session in about an hour-and-a-half,
457
00:25:35,889 --> 00:25:39,380
so I don't want to have...
I wouldn't eat that, necessarily,
458
00:25:39,380 --> 00:25:42,390
because I would probably see it
again.
459
00:25:42,390 --> 00:25:47,260
Do you do jobs outside of
this training, presumably? Yeah.
460
00:25:47,260 --> 00:25:51,180
So what do you do? So I nanny for a
family. Yeah.
461
00:25:51,180 --> 00:25:55,149
And then I also coach as well,
rowing coaching,
462
00:25:55,149 --> 00:25:57,330
and do a little bit of swimming
teaching,
463
00:25:57,330 --> 00:25:59,069
so I essentially have three jobs.
464
00:25:59,069 --> 00:26:00,530
Alongside this as well.
465
00:26:05,970 --> 00:26:10,180
I'm going out on a training session
with chief coach, Mark Banks.
466
00:26:10,180 --> 00:26:11,679
Cheers, mate.
467
00:26:11,679 --> 00:26:14,049
If anyone can give me an insight
into what it's like
468
00:26:14,049 --> 00:26:16,210
to be part of a top team, he can.
469
00:26:17,320 --> 00:26:21,960
The success of what Steve Redgrave
and Catherine Grainger,
470
00:26:21,960 --> 00:26:23,879
and all those other superstars,
471
00:26:23,879 --> 00:26:27,799
who you see getting Olympic gold
medals, they make it look easy.
472
00:26:27,799 --> 00:26:29,799
Bu': it isn't.
473
00:26:29,799 --> 00:26:32,650
He's been coaching for 30
consecutive years
474
00:26:32,650 --> 00:26:36,290
at Olympic and World Championship
level.
475
00:26:36,290 --> 00:26:39,009
As they are rowing,
what are you looking at?
476
00:26:39,009 --> 00:26:41,879
Their blade is in the water
for three quarters of a second,
477
00:26:41,879 --> 00:26:42,960
and we're looking,
478
00:26:42,960 --> 00:26:45,570
A, that the blades are going in at
the same time,
479
00:26:45,570 --> 00:26:48,129
that the legs are propelling
the boat,
480
00:26:48,129 --> 00:26:51,520
the legs are pushing before we start
using the upper body,
481
00:26:51,520 --> 00:26:53,080
and then, of course, we're looking
to see
482
00:26:53,080 --> 00:26:55,970
that they've got a really good
rhythm which is sustainable,
483
00:26:55,970 --> 00:26:57,650
and it's really quite simple.
484
00:26:57,650 --> 00:27:00,490
It's doing the common uncommonly
well.
485
00:27:07,040 --> 00:27:11,290
As they skim across the river,
it looks so easy, so elegant,
486
00:27:11,290 --> 00:27:13,709
the cox keeping the boat
as staright as an arrow.
487
00:27:20,909 --> 00:27:23,800
Having witnessed how it's done...
488
00:27:23,800 --> 00:27:27,880
...it's now my time to shine as part
of an elite team,
489
00:27:27,880 --> 00:27:31,580
and for once in my
life, my size is a major asset.
490
00:27:32,860 --> 00:27:34,809
Are you about ready
for me, now? Yeah.
491
00:27:34,809 --> 00:27:37,170
Cheers. Looking forward to it.
492
00:27:37,170 --> 00:27:40,600
I've managed to blag my way
into the boat as cox.
493
00:27:40,600 --> 00:27:43,754
Who's taller, you or me?
I think just about me, just...
494
00:27:43,754 --> 00:27:46,981
No, anyway, whoever.
But I'm the right size.
495
00:27:47,005 --> 00:27:49,236
You're the right size for it,
yeah, definitely.
496
00:27:49,236 --> 00:27:53,236
Sam Royston, their usual cox,
gives me some tips on how to steer.
497
00:27:53,236 --> 00:27:55,716
This is the fin, this is how
to keep the boat straight.
498
00:27:55,716 --> 00:27:57,196
Oh, that's not the rudder?
499
00:27:57,196 --> 00:27:59,115
No, the rudder is just this
little thing back here.
500
00:27:59,115 --> 00:28:01,316
This tiny thing here?
This tiny little metal thing, yeah.
501
00:28:01,316 --> 00:28:03,636
I'd always thought the rudder
was the whole of the white thing.
502
00:28:03,636 --> 00:28:06,956
No, no. So you are controlling
something that's about that big?
503
00:28:06,956 --> 00:28:09,456
Yeah. And you are wiggling a little
bit of string
504
00:28:09,456 --> 00:28:10,765
that's about that tiny?
505
00:28:10,765 --> 00:28:13,166
And that's about 30 foot long,
or something like that.
506
00:28:13,166 --> 00:28:16,956
Well, that doesn't sound too bad,
bring it on. Up to head, go!
507
00:28:18,436 --> 00:28:21,156
Split, let's go!
508
00:28:23,665 --> 00:28:26,426
With a good briefing, I'm ready.
509
00:28:26,426 --> 00:28:29,226
You have to take me
seriously, you know.
510
00:28:29,226 --> 00:28:33,486
Pushing off. Three, two, one...
Off we go.
511
00:28:33,486 --> 00:28:36,956
I mean, how hard can it be to steer
a £50,000
512
00:28:36,956 --> 00:28:40,196
very fragile carbon fibre boat?
513
00:28:40,196 --> 00:28:41,636
And...
514
00:28:41,636 --> 00:28:43,596
...what do I say? Rag off, go.
515
00:28:43,596 --> 00:28:45,156
Rag Off, go!
516
00:28:51,915 --> 00:28:53,156
Race pace!
517
00:28:54,506 --> 00:28:57,156
Well, they say fake
it till you make it.
518
00:28:57,156 --> 00:28:58,146
Entry.
519
00:28:59,586 --> 00:29:01,925
In my case, that's not very long.
520
00:29:05,156 --> 00:29:08,026
When you get in that situation,
you just stop rowing.
521
00:29:08,026 --> 00:29:10,146
I think I over-ruddered there.
522
00:29:11,386 --> 00:29:13,206
OK, take two.
523
00:29:13,206 --> 00:29:15,716
Backstops.
524
00:29:15,716 --> 00:29:18,356
Going off. Row!
525
00:29:23,206 --> 00:29:25,566
Before that...
Easy there!
526
00:29:25,566 --> 00:29:26,915
Easy!
527
00:29:26,915 --> 00:29:30,076
Not that I'm making excuses,
but under full power,
528
00:29:30,076 --> 00:29:33,146
it's incredible difficult
to keep it straight.
529
00:29:33,146 --> 00:29:35,306
Oh, God, I'm going
into the side again.
530
00:29:38,636 --> 00:29:42,026
One thing I hadn't realised is the
rudder doesn't give you the effect
531
00:29:42,026 --> 00:29:45,226
that you think it's going to give
you straight away.
532
00:29:45,226 --> 00:29:49,596
It's a few beats, and so you try and
compensate even more,
533
00:29:49,596 --> 00:29:53,236
and then when it does kick in, you
find yourself way over,
534
00:29:53,236 --> 00:29:54,995
over that side
535
00:29:54,995 --> 00:29:56,236
OK...
536
00:29:56,236 --> 00:29:57,436
Go!
537
00:29:57,436 --> 00:29:58,646
...one final go.
538
00:30:04,436 --> 00:30:06,596
Yeah, I think I've got it.
539
00:30:06,596 --> 00:30:09,236
OK, that's good.
540
00:30:09,236 --> 00:30:11,956
And, then, just for the briefest
of moments,
541
00:30:11,956 --> 00:30:14,716
I get a taste of what it's like to
fly across the water.
542
00:30:16,156 --> 00:30:18,366
Just like that, well done!
543
00:30:18,366 --> 00:30:22,116
In a race, these guys
would be covering at least a mile,
544
00:30:22,116 --> 00:30:26,436
I only managed to keep it straight
for about 200 yards.
545
00:30:26,436 --> 00:30:30,386
Well, they say it's not winning
that counts, it's taking part.
546
00:30:30,386 --> 00:30:31,735
All good there, then.
547
00:30:31,735 --> 00:30:33,466
Thank you very much.
548
00:30:33,466 --> 00:30:37,206
I'll tell you what, that heavy
breakfast didn't do me any favours.
549
00:30:42,086 --> 00:30:46,316
From Henley, I set off along
a very boaty bit of the river,
550
00:30:46,316 --> 00:30:49,236
heading for the next
village at Hurley.
551
00:30:50,516 --> 00:30:52,386
Hiya.
552
00:30:52,386 --> 00:30:53,586
Hi.
553
00:30:53,586 --> 00:30:57,846
Everybody waves at each other.
It's a communal place, isn't it?
554
00:30:57,846 --> 00:31:01,795
It's somewhere where we can share
our traditions
555
00:31:01,795 --> 00:31:05,716
and our history, even our etiquette.
556
00:31:05,716 --> 00:31:09,716
Hurley is the home of the oldest
family of boat builders in Britain,
557
00:31:09,716 --> 00:31:14,116
who specialise in making
these handcrafted wooden boats.
558
00:31:14,116 --> 00:31:17,875
Richard Freebody and his three
sisters have history on the Thames
559
00:31:17,875 --> 00:31:20,366
that goes back to the 13th century.
560
00:31:23,656 --> 00:31:26,186
Richard, never mind that this is
going to become a boat,
561
00:31:26,186 --> 00:31:28,895
it's just such a gorgeous
piece of carpentry.
562
00:31:28,895 --> 00:31:31,536
Oh, thanks, Tony. Yeah, no,
it's good fun.
563
00:31:31,536 --> 00:31:34,096
It's a very elegant shape, isn't it?
It really is, yeah.
564
00:31:34,096 --> 00:31:36,456
Like a racing car. Very stylish,
yeah. Yeah.
565
00:31:36,456 --> 00:31:39,096
It is quite exquisite.
What's the wood?
566
00:31:39,096 --> 00:31:41,025
So this is Canadian Cedar,
567
00:31:41,025 --> 00:31:45,106
and this is mahogany, so quite a
contrasting...
568
00:31:45,106 --> 00:31:47,976
How long would this take you,
just, just this one boat?
569
00:31:47,976 --> 00:31:50,945
About two years, in all honesty.
Yeah.
570
00:31:50,945 --> 00:31:53,856
Do you never make boats made
out of fibreglass or plastic?
571
00:31:53,856 --> 00:31:55,306
Never ever, Tony.
572
00:31:55,306 --> 00:31:58,516
No, that's a terrible word to even
mention around here, but...
573
00:31:58,516 --> 00:32:00,036
And it's a family business, right?
574
00:32:00,036 --> 00:32:04,366
Yeah, very much so. So over 300
years, so... 300 years?
575
00:32:04,366 --> 00:32:07,726
Yeah, that we can actually trace
ourselves as fishermen
576
00:32:07,726 --> 00:32:11,446
and ferrymen from 1257.
Oh, you're kidding.
577
00:32:11,446 --> 00:32:16,396
Undoubtably built our own boats to,
you know, carry out the work.
578
00:32:16,396 --> 00:32:17,875
But where are the documents
from
579
00:32:17,875 --> 00:32:19,516
that allowed you to go
that far back?
580
00:32:19,516 --> 00:32:23,995
Literally old documentation
relating to the Thames.
581
00:32:23,995 --> 00:32:30,286
So we are officially the earliest
family boat builders in England.
582
00:32:30,286 --> 00:32:33,236
Which is a lovely,
lovely accolade to have.
583
00:32:34,675 --> 00:32:39,236
Richard and his sisters are the 11th
generation of boat builders.
584
00:32:39,236 --> 00:32:41,396
Soon there may even be a 12th.
585
00:32:41,396 --> 00:32:45,236
Can we have a look at who's here?
586
00:32:45,236 --> 00:32:47,716
Hiya, Kirstie. Hello.
587
00:32:47,716 --> 00:32:50,526
So these are your your son
and your daughters?
588
00:32:50,526 --> 00:32:53,646
Yeah, this is George,
and Jessica, and Daisy.
589
00:32:53,646 --> 00:32:56,396
Hands up any of you who might like
to build boats
590
00:32:56,396 --> 00:32:59,196
when they're a bit older?
Ah! Well, that's good.
591
00:32:59,196 --> 00:33:01,716
Would you like to build a boat
when you're a big boy?
592
00:33:01,716 --> 00:33:03,196
What do you think, George?
593
00:33:03,196 --> 00:33:06,296
Yeah! Three hands up, three
hands, that's fantastic.
594
00:33:06,296 --> 00:33:09,196
That would be lovely, wouldn't it?
Another generation of boat builders.
595
00:33:09,196 --> 00:33:11,196
It'd be amazing.
596
00:33:11,196 --> 00:33:15,646
Its lovely. It's a way of life,
really, rather than a business.
597
00:33:17,555 --> 00:33:21,286
Today, nine skilled craftsmen work
alongside Richard
598
00:33:21,286 --> 00:33:24,196
building and restoring traditional
boats.
599
00:33:24,196 --> 00:33:28,196
So, Tony, I don't know whether you
could give me a hand, could you?
600
00:33:28,196 --> 00:33:31,795
"Give me a hand" is television
speak for "muck things up".
601
00:33:31,795 --> 00:33:33,995
Well, let's give it a go,
let's give it a go.
602
00:33:33,995 --> 00:33:37,296
We're going to just try
and replicate this bead
603
00:33:37,296 --> 00:33:38,406
here on the bottom edge.
604
00:33:38,406 --> 00:33:41,326
And all that is done by hand?
Everything done by hand, yeah. Wow!
605
00:33:41,326 --> 00:33:43,196
Yeah, absolutely. And it's very
primitive.
606
00:33:43,196 --> 00:33:45,555
This is a screw that's
been cut-off and sharpened up.
607
00:33:45,555 --> 00:33:47,805
Oh, you are joking, look at that.
608
00:33:47,805 --> 00:33:50,846
You said you were integrating
technology into your boat building.
609
00:33:50,846 --> 00:33:52,166
Only when necessary.
610
00:33:52,166 --> 00:33:57,196
And basically it's a case of pushing
this up to the edge,
611
00:33:57,196 --> 00:34:00,685
and just working the scratch along,
612
00:34:00,685 --> 00:34:04,755
and gradually pushing slightly
harder and harder,
613
00:34:04,755 --> 00:34:07,476
and getting
it deeper and deeper.
614
00:34:07,476 --> 00:34:10,116
Why don't you give that a go?
OK.
615
00:34:11,446 --> 00:34:14,956
I'm so nervous about messing it up.
616
00:34:14,956 --> 00:34:20,326
Oh, I can do it. That's it, just
gradually...just inch it forward.
617
00:34:20,326 --> 00:34:22,466
I think we will make a boat
builder out of you yet.
618
00:34:22,466 --> 00:34:24,036
Are you sure?
619
00:34:24,036 --> 00:34:28,755
How long do you reckon it would take
you to get this to that state?
620
00:34:28,755 --> 00:34:32,005
It would take me probably
about an hour
621
00:34:32,005 --> 00:34:34,755
to get that to that stage there.
622
00:34:34,755 --> 00:34:36,516
Really? Is that all? Yeah, yeah,
it's...
623
00:34:36,516 --> 00:34:38,276
It looks like a huge amount of work.
624
00:34:40,476 --> 00:34:44,326
Each boat receives at least 20 coats
of a special varnish,
625
00:34:44,326 --> 00:34:48,486
the details of which remain a
closely guarded family secret.
626
00:34:50,376 --> 00:34:52,685
Of course, you never know
when a potential buyer
627
00:34:52,685 --> 00:34:56,036
may drop in looking for something
rather special for the weekend.
628
00:34:57,916 --> 00:35:00,166
So, Tony, come and have
a look at the showroom.
629
00:35:02,565 --> 00:35:06,046
Oh, look at this!
630
00:35:06,046 --> 00:35:08,406
That is so gorgeous.
631
00:35:08,406 --> 00:35:12,635
So this is, this is basically
the finished version
632
00:35:12,635 --> 00:35:15,716
of what you've been
helping to build.
633
00:35:15,716 --> 00:35:20,316
This 30 foot Freebody Slipper
Launch is the top-of-the-range...
634
00:35:20,316 --> 00:35:23,635
It's so quiet. Yeah, they are
lovely.
635
00:35:24,685 --> 00:35:26,645
...with an almost silent
electric engine.
636
00:35:33,526 --> 00:35:35,086
Would you like to have a go?
637
00:35:35,086 --> 00:35:38,856
Oh, mate, I would...
Go on. Let's do it.
638
00:35:38,856 --> 00:35:40,136
Bleugh.
639
00:35:42,546 --> 00:35:45,746
Oh, this is beautiful.
640
00:35:45,746 --> 00:35:49,136
This isn't a sales pitch,
Tony, but that suits you.
641
00:35:49,136 --> 00:35:50,346
Thank you.
642
00:35:51,496 --> 00:35:57,376
Well, that's a well-rehearsed line,
but at £180,000 for a basic model,
643
00:35:57,376 --> 00:35:59,486
I best enjoy this while I can.
644
00:36:00,685 --> 00:36:02,406
It's lovely, isn't it?
645
00:36:02,406 --> 00:36:04,555
It's so luxurious.
646
00:36:05,755 --> 00:36:10,286
I've already got the elbow out
the window, one-handed driving.
647
00:36:10,286 --> 00:36:12,996
I've only been driving
it for 30 seconds.
648
00:36:12,996 --> 00:36:16,206
Do you know, I think
Richard might be right.
649
00:36:16,206 --> 00:36:18,536
Gosh, she turns easily.
650
00:36:18,536 --> 00:36:20,916
Oh, my little darling. Yeah.
651
00:36:20,916 --> 00:36:22,476
It does suit me.
652
00:36:24,536 --> 00:36:29,196
This is the modern version of
Edwardian life on the Thames.
653
00:36:29,196 --> 00:36:33,885
Gently cruising along, getting
towards the end of the day,
654
00:36:33,885 --> 00:36:37,176
lovely warm temperature.
655
00:36:37,176 --> 00:36:38,726
I could get used to this.
656
00:36:45,376 --> 00:36:46,705
Coming UP---
657
00:36:46,705 --> 00:36:49,856
I travel back in time
at Hampton Court...
658
00:36:49,856 --> 00:36:54,606
Henry installed this clock,
which not only told you the time,
659
00:36:54,606 --> 00:36:57,196
it also gave you the time
of the tides,
660
00:36:57,196 --> 00:36:59,396
a sort of Tudor supercomputer.
661
00:37:00,716 --> 00:37:03,846
...and catch a lift on
the Queen's Royal barge.
662
00:37:03,846 --> 00:37:06,765
The shiny stuff all over it
can't really be gold.
663
00:37:06,765 --> 00:37:10,456
It is, it's 22 carat gold
leaf, all hand applied.
664
00:37:21,037 --> 00:37:23,816
I'm walking the Thames from source
to sea,
665
00:37:23,816 --> 00:37:27,087
and for the last 70 miles, I've been
following the middle Thames,
666
00:37:27,087 --> 00:37:29,287
the bit of the river that's
gentle
667
00:37:29,287 --> 00:37:31,726
and best known
for boating and leisure.
668
00:37:36,007 --> 00:37:37,726
Soon, as I approach London,
669
00:37:37,726 --> 00:37:41,327
the river will become tidal
and much more industrial.
670
00:37:41,327 --> 00:37:46,047
But before then, there's one last
stop I want to make.
671
00:37:46,047 --> 00:37:49,017
Over there you can just
see the chimney pots
672
00:37:49,017 --> 00:37:53,247
of Hampton Court Palace, where Henry
VIII lived with his six wives
673
00:37:53,247 --> 00:37:58,327
and surrounded himself with lavish
art and threw lavish dinner parties
674
00:37:58,327 --> 00:38:01,686
for ambassadors and bishops
and various cronies.
675
00:38:10,757 --> 00:38:14,327
Hampton Court was one of Henry's
favourite palaces.
676
00:38:14,327 --> 00:38:18,007
It was opulent, impressive, and
suited his character.
677
00:38:19,967 --> 00:38:22,517
He was loud, brash, and charismatic.
678
00:38:23,806 --> 00:38:25,207
And being on the river,
679
00:38:25,207 --> 00:38:28,017
Hampton Court gave him easy
access to London.
680
00:38:33,087 --> 00:38:36,527
Because the river becomes tidal
just downstream from here,
681
00:38:36,527 --> 00:38:40,736
in the year 1540, Henry
installed this clock,
682
00:38:40,736 --> 00:38:42,816
which not only told you the time,
683
00:38:42,816 --> 00:38:45,527
it's also gave you the time
of the tides,
684
00:38:45,527 --> 00:38:47,967
a sort of Tudor supercomputer.
685
00:38:49,247 --> 00:38:52,917
Having a clock that told the tides
was essential to Henry,
686
00:38:52,917 --> 00:38:55,327
because before there were locks
on the Thames,
687
00:38:55,327 --> 00:38:59,127
riding high water was the only way
to make the trip to and from London.
688
00:39:01,207 --> 00:39:05,197
Today, there's an annual pageant
going on at Hampton Court.
689
00:39:05,197 --> 00:39:07,977
A similar spectacle to the ones
Henry liked to create
690
00:39:07,977 --> 00:39:10,229
when he travelled on the river.
691
00:39:11,299 --> 00:39:15,507
I've been invited to join them
on this gilded barge,
692
00:39:15,507 --> 00:39:19,997
which is known as the Gloriana, and
is a very important boat.
693
00:39:27,257 --> 00:39:30,586
The Gloriana is our present Queen's
Royal barge,
694
00:39:30,586 --> 00:39:34,067
and I've managed to blag a lift on
it.
695
00:39:34,067 --> 00:39:37,257
It was built for the Diamond
Jubilee celebrations,
696
00:39:37,257 --> 00:39:40,507
and led a flotilla of 1,000 boats
down the Thames.
697
00:39:43,027 --> 00:39:45,747
This boat was launched in 2012,
698
00:39:45,747 --> 00:39:48,617
but it's a replica of the kind
of barge
699
00:39:48,617 --> 00:39:50,877
that was working the Thames.
700
00:39:55,027 --> 00:39:59,606
From the 16th century, the river
became a place for Royal pomp.
701
00:39:59,606 --> 00:40:02,197
Gilded barges were draped
with banners,
702
00:40:02,197 --> 00:40:04,047
boats carried musicians.
703
00:40:04,047 --> 00:40:06,606
This was the river of theatre.
704
00:40:07,806 --> 00:40:12,207
The current keeper of the Queen's
barge is Malcolm Knight.
705
00:40:12,207 --> 00:40:15,277
This event has got a veneer
of the ancient,
706
00:40:15,277 --> 00:40:17,666
but it's actually quite modern,
isn't it?
707
00:40:17,666 --> 00:40:19,357
It is. It's totally modern.
708
00:40:19,357 --> 00:40:22,387
But obviously, you know,
we've made it to look
709
00:40:22,387 --> 00:40:24,957
like a traditional Tudor event.
710
00:40:24,957 --> 00:40:28,947
It's what the Royal Waterman used
to do in Henry Vlll's time.
711
00:40:28,947 --> 00:40:33,317
They used to row their king, so now
we are going to row to the tower
712
00:40:33,317 --> 00:40:36,437
to celebrate the importance
of Her Majesty's Royal Highway,
713
00:40:36,437 --> 00:40:37,897
the river Thames.
714
00:40:37,897 --> 00:40:40,107
Back in Tudor times,
would all of the Royals
715
00:40:40,107 --> 00:40:42,257
have had their own barge?
Yes, they did.
716
00:40:42,257 --> 00:40:43,586
That's how they got around,
717
00:40:43,586 --> 00:40:48,387
because the roads in London
were sick, mud and everything else.
718
00:40:48,387 --> 00:40:51,867
In those clays, the boat
was the car of London.
719
00:40:51,867 --> 00:40:53,817
That's right, it was
the way to get around.
720
00:40:53,817 --> 00:40:57,217
The shiny stuff all over it
can't really be gold? It is.
721
00:40:57,217 --> 00:41:00,826
It's 22 carat gold leaf, all hand
appfied
722
00:41:00,826 --> 00:41:03,097
by a team from Hare & Humphreys.
723
00:41:03,097 --> 00:41:05,537
It's a special formulation
that they've put together
724
00:41:05,537 --> 00:41:08,366
over the years, which
weathers very well.
725
00:41:08,366 --> 00:41:10,606
So, fortunately, we don't
have to polish them, the gold,
726
00:41:10,606 --> 00:41:12,197
we just have to polish the brass.
727
00:41:14,927 --> 00:41:18,127
Just like in the old-fashioned high
status barges,
728
00:41:18,127 --> 00:41:20,496
the insides are much more muted
729
00:41:20,496 --> 00:41:23,627
compared with all the gold on the
outside.
730
00:41:23,627 --> 00:41:27,317
This is where the Queen sat
when she was taking her tea, here.
731
00:41:27,317 --> 00:41:33,157
And up here, all of these paintings
on the roof are hand-painted.
732
00:41:33,157 --> 00:41:35,596
And they are birds going
from the estuary
733
00:41:35,596 --> 00:41:39,676
right up to the start of the river.
734
00:41:39,676 --> 00:41:41,596
Swan, plover... Lovely, aren't they?
735
00:41:47,087 --> 00:41:49,837
After an hour, we reach Teddington
lock,
736
00:41:49,837 --> 00:41:52,596
the official end of the non-tidal
River.
737
00:41:57,517 --> 00:42:00,227
You are going ashore.
I am indeed, yes.
738
00:42:00,227 --> 00:42:02,107
Welcome to terra firma. Thank you
very much.
739
00:42:02,107 --> 00:42:03,947
It's been a pleasure to meet you.
And you.
740
00:42:03,947 --> 00:42:06,977
Thank you very much, enjoy the rest
of your time on the river. See you.
741
00:42:09,027 --> 00:42:11,556
Well, that's the end of my jaunt
on the Gloriana,
742
00:42:11,556 --> 00:42:14,717
and indeed it's the end of my walk
along the middle Thames.
743
00:42:14,717 --> 00:42:19,527
This is the final lock, Teddington,
and after that, London.
744
00:42:19,527 --> 00:42:21,267
But that's for next time.
745
00:42:22,527 --> 00:42:23,707
Next time...
746
00:42:23,707 --> 00:42:24,796
God.
747
00:42:24,796 --> 00:42:27,796
...I follow the Thames
through the heart of London...
748
00:42:27,796 --> 00:42:30,707
I have actually found something.
Hey-yo!
749
00:42:30,707 --> 00:42:33,187
...discovering how the river
made the city...
750
00:42:33,187 --> 00:42:35,707
This is what we call liquid history.
751
00:42:35,707 --> 00:42:39,907
...into a trading powerhouse
and an icon to the world.
752
00:42:39,907 --> 00:42:41,586
The bridge is coming down.
753
00:42:44,107 --> 00:42:50,466
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