medway

[stella1412]

hi again

our boat is moored at Port Medway Marina near Rochester. We're still taking it easy getting used to the boat. We've ventured to Chatham and Gillingham so far and gone into the marinas. We had planned to get a cup of tea and bite to eat but were disappointed - there was nothing at Chatham and the bar at Gillingham was not doing food as they had been busy all weekend so had stopped serving. Are there any other places on the medway that you can recommend for newbies who just want to to park up, have a wander and a bite to eat? We have our son with us too who is nearly 3.

Thank you

Stella

 

[SP2]

There's not that much, I'm afraid. Could try Rochester Pier just up river from Rochester Bridge and before the Cruising Club moorings - you are a stone's throw from the High Street where there are some reasonable eateries during daylight hours. Short skirts and stilletos the order of the day after sunset, so I'm told.

If you come into Chatham Marina there is the Dickens Centre about to be opened - and there will be a few places to eat in there - or there is the dreaded outlet centre where you can find a coffee etc (with two daughters I try to avoid this one).

All of these are right next to the Marina - a very short walk. Can't recommend the Ship and Trades which overlooks the Marina although your 3 year old will be at home since most of the customers are under 18 /forums/images/graemlins/blush.gif

The Elite Sailing School did try running a coffee shop on their Dutch Barge - not sure if this will run this season or not - never seemed very busy.

Shame GC1 is off soon as he has his own coffee machine and lots of stock /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

You could try venturing down to Queenborough - pick up a visitor's buoy and call the taxi (if it's running) to take you ashore - a few reasonable places to go there.

Alteratively a quiet anchorage - several about down river.

 

[syd]

I had a nice meal at the Inner Dowsing Light vessel at Medway bridge last season. Every time I stay at Gillingham or Chatham I get a cab into Rochester, love it there.
How about venturing a bit further and popping in to Ramsgate, a nice straight forward trip in the right weather conditions.
Syd

 

[Medskipper]

If the tides are right, you could always pull into Hoo marina for a visit to their greasy spoon cafe!
Rochester high street has some nice restuarants and there are several pubs opposite Chatham marina at Upnor.

Barry

 

[aquaholic]

At the risk of sounding boring, you can always head up river to Allington Lock and pop in the Malta Inn if its still there (not been for a few years) about 45 mins-1hr from Port Medway. Also I believe there is a landing stage at Halling, where the Local pup is a few minutes walk from what I have been told

 

[Nauti Fox]

As has been said, Rochester pier is probably the best bet. The Inner Dowsing at Medway Bridge has now closed but another cafe has opened up which is signed.
Hello by the way, we are next door at Cuxton.

 

[dpb]

We were based where you are for almost 10 years, further to those listed:
Malta inn still there at Allington with Maidstone and numerous places beyond.
Conyer Quay off the Swale and Faversham all with local pubs. Conyer is easier.
Whitstable and Herne bay are both possible with planning, calm weather and a dinghy. As is Southend.
Apart from these, and those mentioned before that is about it!
By the way, The Maidstone River Festival at the end of July is a good weekend out!

 

[oldgit]

The Medway is a desert as far as places to stop and eat are concerned.Very much an eat-a-board type of place.
For the more determined boater ie.with ex SAS training /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gifyou can anchor in the Swale at Harty Ferry and can row ashore to The Harty Ferry Inn on Sheppey,You could moor at Queenborough and row ashore to the pub at the top of the slip,hoping your dinghy was still there on your return(the ATL is shut for repairs).
You could moor up at any of the town centre piers(Sun/Ship pier) if you are well fendered and/or prepared to argue the toss with stroppy fishing types.
Rochester pier opp. Castle is secure and handy for High St ,but no overnight mooring.
Next stop is 8 miles up river at the pub just past lock at Allington and then Maidstone town centre(Noisy and £3.00 but no one collects),after that is the water board moorings at Yalding(£3.00 per night).All these are free or nearly free stuff not marinas etc.
All locals simply cannot be a***d and pack a picnic and anchor in Stangate or Sharfleet.
Ps.Real cheapskates moor at Rochester Pier during the 3/4 nights the concerts are held in the castle gardens.The artists this year are Think Floydd/Ray Davis/a band something to do with Jools Holland and some rubbish soul evening for people still living in the 70s ,finishes with a classical concert which is always packed,not because the local heathens like Beethoven or Lizt,but because the fireworks are good. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Nauti Fox]

[ QUOTE ]

Ps.Real cheapskates moor at Rochester Pier during the 3/4 nights the concerts are held in the castle gardens.The artists this year are Think Floydd/Ray Davis/a band something to do with Jools Holland and some rubbish soul evening for people still living in the 70s ,finishes with a classical concert which is always packed,not because the local heathens like Beethoven or Lizt,but because the fireworks are good. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

It was nice to meet you there last year Fred, we'll see if we can stay a bit longer this time, the fireworks were good.

 

[oldgit]

We look forward to Alberts company,if you behave you can stay as well. /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif

 

[Nauti Fox]

Mmm.. here's the little sod guarding the Flybridge

 

[stella1412]

Hi everyone

Thank you so much for all your replies - really appreciate it and maybe will meet some of you are on the medway someday. Ours is a Hardy Seawings 277 called Heatseeker.

Stella

 

[oldgit]

"Port Medway Marina "
Which one is that then? Unit 18 lurks up that way and my baby brother is alledgedly involved in some sort of permanent boat restoration job in the next marina down.
Rumour has it the noise keeps the locals awake for hours.
Often go past just to annoy Alec(Unit18) with a bit of unecessary wash.He then comes out and waves his fist and I reply with a similar type of friendly gesture but only when a safe distance away from Albert(A sort of toilet brush hound with a penchant for any handy leg). /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

 

[Stoaty]

I guess Rochester Peir gets mobbed at concert times then? And I would have to get there early to get a space?

 

[oldgit]

"I guess Rochester Pier gets mobbed at concert times then"
Ooo ...loads...must have been at least eight boats there last year.I left it a bit late and had to park inside the pontoon.They are repainting the bridge and the rather large tug pretending to be a safety boat was taking up a lot of space out on the front.Might see you there then.We will prob "do" the floyd tribute band,Ray Davis and the fireworks.Normally take a few bottles of turps and a bit of grub and invite a bunch of my freeloading so called mates /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Stoaty]

That's just the excuse I need to get the barbie out.

 

[Nauti Fox]

"Ours is a Hardy Seawings 277 called Heatseeker."


Was that the one on Boat Quays hard standing?

 

[ningram]

Stella we are newbies at Port Medway as well, Bayliner "Per Amnis" out of the water at the mo, need to finish wiring and primer / antifoul the hull, back in the water in May.
We have an invite from Al to meet up soon.

and we are members of medway motor yacht club, friday nights in the cabins at the end of the boatyard....

cheers

Nick

 

[Nauti Fox]

Is the club ok Nick? we were thinking about giving it a go.
I must admit to steering away from clubs usually.

 

[ningram]

Al,
the club is having a difficult time of it, as it's now based in a cabin. we joined because we are newbies needing help and advice, and that's what we got, along with lots of new friends.
will tell you more when I get around to visiting you, hopefully in the next month or two.

Cheers

Nick