Exlporing the Thames...down to Southend, any tips?

[vjmehra]

So with the new speed limits in place (and implicitly threfore the PLA making it very clear RIBs are no longer welcome) we've moved the boat out to Gallions Reach! Our plan is to explore the river, away from London and further out to the coast. Does anyone have any suggestions in terms of places of interest, overnight stays, restaurants/pubs that can be accessed easily by river (also of course if you have any tips on where to find petrol nearby)?

 

[oldgit]

Any accomodation or camping ?

From where you are located a fast rib will get you quite a way in a short time.You will need to take advantage of this,cos the lower Thames is a bit of a dump.When you get to Sarfend you need to go left up to the Crouch poss via Havengore short cut or go right into the Medway and Swale.
Worth look in the area will be the wreck of the Montgomery or the sea forts .If you come into the Medway you can go left into the Swale with its various delights and perhaps take a trip round the Isle of Sheppey,can be done in about an hour and a bit at speed.
Up the Medway
Loads and loads of tidal creeks to explore,Sharfeet has a resident bunch of seals or perhaps on up through to Chatham dockyard or Rochester town centre .
Fuel will be your problem,however both Gillingham Marina and Chatham MDL keep petrol.

 

[vjmehra]

Great pics, I had a flying lesson myself from South End Airport, was very cool!

 

[oldgit]

The estuary always seems so weedy and small from up there...... below however,with a proper Easterly blow and nice big spring tide going in opposite directions you probably really would prefer to be just about anywhere else..

 

[vjmehra]

Yep, I can imagine, yesterday going from Cadagon Pier to Gallions Reach, the swell was the worst I've ever seen it (in my limited experience of the Thames), I don't doubt conditions get a lot more interesting, further out!

 

[CJL]

Try Burnham.

CJL

 

[vandy]

Hi Vidal! good to know you guys are enjoying the river!

We used the rib once from Kew to near Dartford Crossing (full day!). Just after the bridge, there was a pier and next to it there was a big asda petrol station.

One thing you MUST consider if you are ribbing there is to buy a radar reflector for the rib. You may be challenged by PLA and Police boats not having reflector in those areas. mainly because of large tankers and vessels cruising at high speed.

Also, the worst possible fogs along the Thames are in that section of the river, so the visibility could drop significantly so watch out!

All the best.

 

[vjmehra]

Cool tks Vandy, I'll have a search for that petrol station and will get looking for a radar reflector.

 

[neale]

One thing you MUST consider if you are ribbing there is to buy a radar reflector for the rib. You may be challenged by PLA and Police boats not having reflector in those areas. mainly because of large tankers and vessels cruising at high speed.

While having a reflector is good advice, I don't think you will be challenged for not having one. Advised that it is a good idea maybe, but challenged, I don't think so.

 

[Seajet]

From what I've seen of the Isle of Sheppey, 'keep going round at high speed' seems sound advice.

When we visited Harty Ferry - by road - the bunch of inbred crooks playing clay pigeon changed their line of fire so as to pepper us on the causeway, and that was probably the most enjoyable bit !

 

[oldgit]

Oi.....do you mind...............

From what I've seen of the Isle of Sheppey, 'keep going round at high speed' seems sound advice.

When we visited Harty Ferry - by road - the bunch of inbred crooks playing clay pigeon changed their line of fire so as to pepper us on the causeway, and that was probably the most enjoyable bit !

A,hem,the regular shoot at the Harty is entirely run for the benefit of mainlanders from off the island.
The events are always held in daylight and you are therefore very unlikely to see any locals attending.
After a hard nights burglary, stripping lead off churches or liberating copper wiring from substations a good days sleep is in order.Besides shotgun cartdridges cost money and are therefore not to be wasted as are needed for holding up (off island) corner stores or settling local disputes.
Ps. Sundays spent visiting your mates and relatives and delivering the weekly supply of skunk in any of the three prisons is regarded as a civic duty.