end of season?

[riverliver]

had a lovely trip up to Cookham over the weekend. Not many boats on the river apart from Le Boats which were out in force. Usual patchy lock keeping but self service in this weather isn't really an issue IMO. Fingers crossed for a late summer before we moor up for winter and the inevitable lock closures. Boulters down stream still not opening fully on one gate so probably a winter closure candidate

 

[Outinthedinghy]

Boulters has been trouble for a few years. The road side tail gate is now copying the other one. Big job there and maybe even new gates needed. The crane is the awkward thing. I think the fact the EA no longer have the sheerlegs barge is a problem.

We shall see but it definitely needs work which will include lifting the gates at some stage. Might even be road closure and a 250T contract crane because of the distance.

With the sheerlegs barge it would have been childs play.

 

[oldgit]

Noticably less stuff moving around this year, including gin palaces and tin slugs.
No problems finding an overnight mooring, especially with the extra space at Lady Lyndsies.
Rarely had to share a lock.
50 % of locks manned, did see a couple of crews doing maintainance ? at locks on route. No problems with anything while using 1/2 power.
All the lockies we encountered without exception were polite and helpful and most pleased to engage in conversation.
Obviously cost of hiring one of those Le Boats is not putting off those able to afford it, suspect mostly visitors from abroad, lots seen underway during our visit.
River banks looking very clean and tidy since the banning of plastic bags, shame about single use drinks bottles and no problems regards navigation due to trees etc.

Downsides.
Numbers of wrecks and really would of liked to stop at Hampton Ct.

 

[Outinthedinghy]

The mooring at Hampton Caught are now closed and the rings have been cut off.

It will be interesting to see what happens there. I have previously pointed out that it is an unsafe mooring for winter and that by having rings the owner is inviting people to moor.

And now the rings have gone apparently. Pretty obvious really the question now is what to do with the site for next season.

Maybe it will remain mothballed as the easiest way to stop problems.