A heads-up on Maidenhead/Marlow mooring

[Reptile Smile]

Hi all,

Following my prolonged over-winter in Surrey due to getting stuck behind the EA lock closures, I'm starting to dare to dream of actually getting her back to Bristol, what with the gradual change of flood conditions.

I'm looking at moving her back from Shepperton to the K&A at Reading over 2 consecutive weekends - 60 lock hours, with a fairly puny engine, so I assume the fastest I'm going to make it is 2 mph, so 30 hours. Have I estimated this right - is this how long it's likely to take? I have no problem with putting in some night hours, if necessary.

I presume therefore that after the first weekend, I'll need to leave her on the Sunday somewhere in the Maidenhead/Marlow area. Whilst I appreciate that the moorings are usually 24 hours, am I likely to get away with this for 5 days, until I can get her to Reading the following weekend? Can anyone suggest any good locations? Or anyone I should try and sweet-talk?

Cheers

 

[Dave_Seager]

I would be a little concerned about security on a public mooring for that long if the boat were unattended. Try contacting Bourne End Marina. They may not charge too much for a few nights at this time of year. Alternatively, is there any small job you could get them to do so that you get the mooring free?

 

[TrueBlue]

There is usually a clutch of boats at the downstream end of Marlow layby - which cause considerable irritation to the Resident. A quiet completely unofficial word to the lockie might get "a receptive ear".

There's a similar space at Temple, but I don't often see anyone there for a long time.
Temple has some moorings on the lock island and you may be lucky to get an extended overnight spot. You'd have to pay, but it's a lot cheaper than a marina. Bear in mind that these would be as a concession to you - so be very, very humble...

A bit further up there's a similar group of boats on the EA moorings at Wargrave.

 

[Dave_Seager]

PM sent to Reptile Smile.

 

[Reptile Smile]

Thanks, Dave and TrueBlue - much appreciated

 

[teddington_lock]

Where are you now ?

Worth bearing in mind that PH's gates won't be back on until 8th Feb.

 

[SnowCat]

and we have red boards throughout the Thames now.....

 

[Bertramdriver]

Try talking to Heather Fenn at the Maidenhead boatyard (in front of the gasometer) your boat will be safe there.

 

[Reptile Smile]

Where are you now ?

I'm on the Wey, atm - trapped by the flooding, but safe as houses, thanks to the kindness of Dave Seager.

Worth bearing in mind that PH's gates won't be back on until 8th Feb.

Really? In issue 5 of the updates, and on the EA website, it's still showing as closed until the 31st Jan. No one's mentioned the 8th Feb? Though at the moment, it's a bit academic, with the red boards... :-(

 

[teddington_lock]

I spoke with PH yesterday ( trying to sort out passage for a Dutch barge that arrived at Tedders having not looked at the closure list ) they were trying to get to Windsor for a 3 month fit out ( fitters booked and everything ) they were somewhat unhappy when I told them Molesey was closed until 8th March ( there was some discussion whether they could slip through by squeezing past the scaffolding , hence why I then phoned PH ) , in the end they went back to Chelsea Harbour where they came from. So , you can take it from me that the gates won't be back until the 8th Feb

Suspect that most of the river will be red until then anyway to be honest , 3/4 of the river is fully drawn as well at the moment.

Sorry to be the bearer of doom and gloom.

 

[Reptile Smile]

Well, it's good to have the info - thanks very much. And as you say, it seems unlikely to radically change until then anyway.

BTW - what does 'fully drawn' mean?

 

[teddington_lock]

It means that all the gates on the weir are fully open.