Best bits of boating on the Thames

[capnfishy]

B1 suggests the forum is weighted towards the negative, I tend to agree. Aside from the politic and waterway management, what have been your best experiences on the river this year?

I'll start but I'm biased: friendly helpful lock staff, supportive boaters, folk who do move along the layby when asked, great weather, pretty good river conditions, entertaining hire boat crews, everyone waving as they go by, gentle leg pulling when it all goes TU on windy days, the big hairy smile at Bell Weir.

Beautiful reaches and countryside, especially upstream of Windsor and Reading, a few proper pubs like the Bounty at Bourne End, many shady spots to moor up for free and sink a Pimms/gin/beer/glass of vino or picnic. The wildlife and waterfowl, flaura, fauna, insect life and the occasional electric blue flash of a kingfisher darting across the surface.

 

[alanch]

Ok I'll join in. Lock staff great this year as usual. My wife even got a conversation and a big hairy smile at Bell Weir. Cannot think of one boater, hire or otherwise that caused any problems for us this year. Weather brill. River Brill. Friendly people everywhere including rowers and anglers. I cannot think of one negative experience. And yes I do get out a lot! And will be out next week again.

 

[byron]

Trying to think of something nice to say. I did find a dead duck which I put out for the Kites and they thoroughly enjoyed it.

 

[capnfishy]

That made me chuckle Byron, you live on a lovely part of the river, come on, glow about it here!

 

[byron]

That made me chuckle Byron, you live on a lovely part of the river, come on, glow about it here!

OK! I've just spent a very pleasant half hour leering at the tons of female rowers gathered at the bottom of my garden for some sort of event. Nice healthy specimens they are too.

 

[teddington_lock]

I've not been afloat much this year , but I have changed job ( still on the river and loving it ).

I enjoy the wildlife at Teddington, we have a semi tame heron who eats cocktail sausages. I enjoy opening the shop up on a summers morning, having my cup of tea while looking at the weir or walking down the pontoons looking downstream.

I've spent some time on a Dunkirk little ship this year, and discovered that a mink has been living in my own boat.

All the boaters I've met this year have been friendly and I've been able to spend time with my dad who was pretty ill last year but is on the mend now.

And I've learned a lot.

So, not a bad year all things considered.

 

[bumperdump]

Great days and nights out some good sun the carp we have just pulled out
This one's going back in no polskis on board

 

[oldgit]

Great days and nights out some good sun the carp we have just pulled out
This one's going back in no polskis on board

The only reason we do not eat them is they taste like Carp.

My favorite bit of any visit is simply the views you get when turning a corner somewhere .
Looking forward to next year.

 

[Phill]

We've had a really good year on the river this season. Due to the pressures of work, we've previously tended to keep the boat to ourselves, but this year we've shared it with friends and it's been great fun.
First time out in early May and as I've never stopped here before and the pontoon was nearly empty, we tried it. Nice old pub.

Took friends out for the Henley Regatta, some of whom had too much sun and fizz, fell asleep and missed the best bits.

Even the dog relaxed a bit more.

And finally shared a weekend at Rewind with friends that we've known and grown up with during the eighties.

So all in all a great year sharing with others and in between we've spent many a weekend relaxing on our own, or with the kids and their friends enjoying the peace and tranquility, stunning views and countryside of what is one of the most beautiful parts of our country.
It's also worth mentioning that everyone we've come across this year has seemed happy and chilled and I can't remember one single incident that would taint a perfect summer afloat. (Toilet and holding tank issues aside...)
Still got a few more trips out before winter.

 

[Actionmat]

Too many best bits to mention. That's possibly why the negative aspect gets a mention - it's much quicker!

 

[Outinthedinghy]

We spent 5 weeks on the River this year as we usually do. August/early september. We live on our barge but usually on a mooring in Limehouse so escaping from the smoke to the lovely Thames is always pleasant - like going home for me because I lived on the River all the time for years before getting hold of the woman and children.

Anyway it was pleasant as always - and I am a bit of a lock keeper fan so it was nice to see plenty who I recognise still about although Adam at Cookham is about to leave for a new life by the sea.

Trying to keep this on topic - the weather was pretty good this summer !