Mega Trip / Hamble to Chertsey on the Thames in a weekend

[paul salliss]

Just wanted to say a public thank you to Pete Bux for his help and guidance in helping me over the weekend, we set off on Friday at 4.30 PM and moored up in Eastbourne at 9pm, set off the following morning and travelled through the Sussex, Kent coast before criss crossing the Goodwin sands and round into the Thames estuary before heading up the Thames, through into the City , central London and then out into West London, we called it a day at 8pm at Teddington, and completed the trip starting at 7am the following day before finally arriving at 11am on Sunday, it was a fantastic trip, I learnt heaps and I won't forget it in a hurry,
Pete, you were great, thank you.

It is easy to think of the Thames as central London but it so is not, it's ever changing, personally I like the more commercial end around Essex and Kent, big ships and lots going on, plus you still feel like you are at sea, the non tidal sections were lovely but not quite my scene, too many angry rowers who seem addicted to shouting at everyone.
The highlight for me up there was finding there were often no lock keepers so we had to operate them ourselves which was a novelty, as I had never done that before.
Now I can start to think about the next big trip and where to next, Holland perhaps...............

 

[No Regrets]

In fairness to the hateful rowers, they usually only shout when you're going too fast...

 

[paul salliss]

Hello No Regrets, I was anticipating that reply, the truth is we did on one occasion nearly capsize one which was my fault, we were doing the speed limit but that still produced a considerable wash, thereafter we were very slow and and then extra cautious of our wash, however it did not make any difference they still kept shouting which in the end was quite funny, but lets not turn this into a debate on rowers, as that would detract from what was a great experience

 

[david_bagshaw]

Dont worry, not just Thames rowers, had one last year who only missed us having received a good blast on the ships whistle. We were anchored!!! One half of the crew ranted there never has been a boat here before!, the other half said thanks.

 

[lisilou]

Good stuff Paul. How long you staying there hon? Any pics of the trip?
L

 

[paul salliss]

Hi Lisa, hope you are Ok, there is a lot going on, particularly around the estuary and up through and into Central London, and due to that I was not great at taking pictures, Pete took a few so will try and send them,

 

[tomcourtney]

Where are you now? I'm in Penton Hook Marina

 

[lisilou]

Enjoy your new venture Paul and say hi to A & H for me. xx
L

 

[paul salliss]

Hi Lisa

I will pass that message on wishing you and the Swanwick group a great season, very best wishes

 

[rosssavage]

Dont worry, not just Thames rowers, had one last year who only missed us having received a good blast on the ships whistle. We were anchored!!! One half of the crew ranted there never has been a boat here before!, the other half said thanks.

Had one crash into my stern two years ago. I was moored up.

His response was "why would you park there?"

I asked "why wouldn't you look where you're going?"

Welcome to the Upper Thames and all it's idiosyncrasies!

 

[oldgit]

Had one crash into my stern two years ago. I was moored up.

His response was "why would you park there?"

Me to..............

 

[paul salliss]

If there are people out there that fancy a London trip then just go for it, it's a real experience, if you are not sure that you have the experience to take on the challenge then take someone with you who does, it's a darn more interesting than popping over the the Folly!