How far from Walton in one or two days

[Siy]

Hi Guys

Looking for some general help on how far I am likely to travel in a day?

I am (clearly) quite new to the boating scene. My Fletcher is moored at Bridge Marine in Walton on Thames (right at the foot of Walton Bridge).

Was hoping to get out this weekend for a day or two. If heading upstream, how far do you think I could comfortably go, bearing in mind I would stop at a pub somewhere for lunch?

I will need to obviously get back as well.... and not sure if we have the whole weekend or just Sunday.

My reckoning is that I may get to Windsor and back in a day? (I may be well off the mark here)...

If 2 days (one there, one back), how far do you think I would get?

Much appreciated
Simon

 

[Portland Billy]

You could comfortably make Windsor in a day - about five/six hours travel - and stop for a good lunch at the Thames Court at Sheperton, or a late lunch at the Swan in Staines.

 

[Richard Shead]

If you pushed it

Hi Guys

Looking for some general help on how far I am likely to travel in a day?

I am (clearly) quite new to the boating scene. My Fletcher is moored at Bridge Marine in Walton on Thames (right at the foot of Walton Bridge).

Was hoping to get out this weekend for a day or two. If heading upstream, how far do you think I could comfortably go, bearing in mind I would stop at a pub somewhere for lunch?

I will need to obviously get back as well.... and not sure if we have the whole weekend or just Sunday.

My reckoning is that I may get to Windsor and back in a day? (I may be well off the mark here)...

If 2 days (one there, one back), how far do you think I would get?

Much appreciated
Simon

You could make Henley but I would much rather take my time up to Windsor and stretch that out, you could then stop at more than one pub....

 

[Andrew_Fanner]

Easy run to Windsor and back in a weekend. Unless you start late Thames Court will be a very early lunch indeed, its only a couple of miles! 9am from Bridge, pleasant picnic lunch pottering along around the Runneymeade area and plenty of choice for mooring at Windsor.

Windsor and back in a day would be a long day.

 

[Siy]

Thanks Guys - so if it's a single day sounds like destination The Runnymede for lunch...? Then turn around and leisurely cruise back, stopping at Swan, Bla Bla's (or whatever its called these days - used to be the Riverside when I grew up in Staines!)...then the Thames Lodge... then Kingfisher Chertsey, the bar/hotel in Shepperton (The Bridge?), Thanmes Court then home... ahhhh... if onl;y swmbo would agree with my itinerary!

 

[Dave_Seager]

It all depends on how long you want to spend on the move. The big advantage of the non-tidal Thames is that you do not need to plan so carefully. Why not just head upstream for a day, stop when you have had enough and come back the next day? You will usually make slightly better time coming downstream so the return journey should be less demanding if you get tired,

 

[oldgit]

"If 2 days (one there, one back), how far do you think I would get?"

At 35 knots you should be able to get to the source and back for dinner.......

 

[bradtarga34]

There is also the newly refurbished Three Horseshoes in Laleham doing cracking food. Another alternative is to head down to see H at Tedders on a Friday evening, Saturday morning cruise witha quick blat here and there once you get past Wandsworth Brudge to St Kats, hang about to watch the marathon runners and a nice cruise back Sunday, all in forecast temps of 20 degrees.

 

[rr_123]

There is also the newly refurbished Three Horseshoes in Laleham doing cracking food

Sshhhhh!

 

[Andrew_Fanner]

There is also the newly refurbished Three Horseshoes in Laleham doing cracking food. .

Is that bankside? I am required to take my father in law and two of his drinking pals boating for the BH weekend. Their plans involve waterside pubs where no roads etc need to be crossed. I usually just stooge to Windsor and do my drinking there. I must admit I've not stopped at a pub twixt Chertsey Bridge and The Brocas.

 

[Siy]

Thanks all for the help... My issue is that my wife is not overly keen about spending all our spare time on the river...so I need to kind of plan so that it is stress free and not too arduous / too much time spent stressing! It is after all meant to be relaxing.. Just trying to be prepared.

Guess we will just give it a go and see how far we make it - aim for lunch at the Runnymede, then on a bit and turn around. Think it will be just a day for starters

 

[TrueBlue]

Thanks all for the help... My issue is that my wife is not overly keen about spending all our spare time on the river...so I need to kind of plan so that it is stress free and not too arduous / too much time spent stressing! It is after all meant to be relaxing.. Just trying to be prepared.

Guess we will just give it a go and see how far we make it - aim for lunch at the Runnymede, then on a bit and turn around. Think it will be just a day for starters

That being so, don't for heavens sake try to rush it, that will reduce / remove any affinity that she might acquire.

Don't dawdle either, just something in between. If the weather is good, she might just, just come round to the fact that the River is a very pleasant place.

Working the locks is one area where friction happens (no pun intended). Get your lines organised, practice if possible; whatever. Ladies in particular hate locks and need "training" in the art if line management.

You should see how my SWMBO beams when she he is complimented on her "line management" from lockies / other boaters, especially when working upstream.

Life's so much more enjoyable when one's crew is part of the action, rather than an unwilling passenger.

 

[Siy]

Agree completely with the above.... everyone involved with a job to do, and sounds a lot more likely to work. Fingers crossed - If not, Aquaholic may appear 'For Sale' on Monday!!!

 

[CX54WEK]

That being so, don't for heavens sake try to rush it, that will reduce / remove any affinity that she might acquire.

Don't dawdle either, just something in between. If the weather is good, she might just, just come round to the fact that the River is a very pleasant place.

Working the locks is one area where friction happens (no pun intended). Get your lines organised, practice if possible; whatever. Ladies in particular hate locks and need "training" in the art if line management.

You should see how my SWMBO beams when she he is complimented on her "line management" from lockies / other boaters, especially when working upstream.

Life's so much more enjoyable when one's crew is part of the action, rather than an unwilling passenger.

Excellent advice. (Not sure about the ladies hating locks bit though, i dont really mind them)

The key to successfully transversing locks is to know how to handle your boat (and only practise, practise and more practise will get you there), having the ropes prepared (dont know why some folks insist on only having ropes on one side, it is always the wrong side) and to not panic if/when it doesnt go to plan and for the love of god leave the bow thruster in peace!!!

If one of your crew isnt overly keen on the river lifestyle, get them involved in the handling and running of the boat but dont rush them or get snappy if they dont do something correctly first time around. Just go out and have fun and dont set too strict a schedule if any at all.

 

[No Regrets]

We call ropes 'Lines' usually....

 

[CX54WEK]

We call ropes 'Lines' usually....

Call them what you like, but we call them ropes

 

[TrueBlue]

Excellent advice. (Not sure about the ladies hating locks bit though, i dont really mind them)

The key to successfully transversing locks is to know how to handle your boat (and only practise, practise and more practise will get you there), having the ropes prepared (dont know why some folks insist on only having ropes on one side, it is always the wrong side) and to not panic if/when it doesnt go to plan and for the love of god leave the bow thruster in peace!!!

If one of your crew isnt overly keen on the river lifestyle, get them involved in the handling and running of the boat but dont rush them or get snappy if they dont do something correctly first time around. Just go out and have fun and dont set too strict a schedule if any at all.

Perhaps it was an oversimplification but, I've seen so many wives, ladies, whatever, pushed onto the front deck, awkward because many boats don't have anything approaching a useful side deck. They balance precariously on the bow, gather their line into a lump (not coiled) and throw it in the direction of a bollard and invariably miss.

Meanwhile the skipper has lost control, the stern comes out, or the bow likewise and it's all her fault (not). She's not happy and he's grumpy, 'cos they both fouled up.

When I got out of Vintage cars and decided to do some boating, I wanted to have a boat that we both could share in all aspects. I'm lucky in that SWMBO enjoys being up the sharp end and happy to navigate as well. So we share the duties. That way when things get cocked up the other understands and we laugh about it - later...

I am continually surprised that folks aren't organised and don't appear to have any common sense when locking or mooring. Part of the fun is judging conditions both of the elements and other boaters, and quietly getting on with it without any fuss or over organisation.

 

[CX54WEK]

Perhaps it was an oversimplification but, I've seen so many wives, ladies, whatever, pushed onto the front deck, awkward because many boats don't have anything approaching a useful side deck. They balance precariously on the bow, gather their line into a lump (not coiled) and throw it in the direction of a bollard and invariably miss.

Meanwhile the skipper has lost control, the stern comes out, or the bow likewise and it's all her fault (not). She's not happy and he's grumpy, 'cos they both fouled up.

When I got out of Vintage cars and decided to do some boating, I wanted to have a boat that we both could share in all aspects. I'm lucky in that SWMBO enjoys being up the sharp end and happy to navigate as well. So we share the duties. That way when things get cocked up the other understands and we laugh about it - later...

I am continually surprised that folks aren't organised and don't appear to have any common sense when locking or mooring. Part of the fun is judging conditions both of the elements and other boaters, and quietly getting on with it without any fuss or over organisation.

Too true. Although it can be embarrassing, when traveling anywhere in a flotilla and you are the only one who doesnt make a fuss/cock of locks/mooring!!

Im still a firm believer that the confidence comes with practice. We have fouled up like everyone else until we found the technique that works for us and our boat. Now it goes smoothly almost every time. Being prepared and having confidence in the steerer whilst being up front are big plus points but again this only comes with practice.

It is also a bonus if all crew share all duties.

 

[No Regrets]

Hear hear!

 

[Captain Coochie]

If going downstream get your aft line on first and the bow will swing in . If going upstream get the bow line on first . Works fine untill the wind kicks in I'm lucky enough not to have someone who messes up wanting to play with the ropes and when people try to help it confuses me . Much easier to do stuff on your own and then you get it perfect every single time ......... Honest !!!