Yellow Boards on the Thames

Never underestimate the River Thames on yellow boards - even when the stream is decreasing. Last week we were going upstream and getting ready to moor at Hambleden Lock.  As a boat was coming out of the lock - and had right of way - we couldn't cut across it to get to the moorings. So we stayed on the right and tried to 'hover' in the weir stream. But it's quite difficult to hover in a 27 tons barge and unfortunately we got pushed onto the small island by the current and into a very thick (15cms/6" diameter) branch which smashed through our window. We did everything we could to avoid this but the river kept pushing us back. Luckily we weren't hurt - just a few cuts. But we were shaken - and gutted.