Geoffs
Well-Known Member
St Kats
Closer than you think! /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
Closer than you think! /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
My Trip to The Thames
- Thread starter Geoffs
- Start date
Geoffs
Well-Known Member
Re: St Kats
Bit late posting today, had visitors. Anyway left Ramsgate at 8:00am this morning near perfect conditions.
Bit lumpy up tp North Foreland but once round into the estuary very smooth. Used Princes channel, as advice was to avoid Overland route if any east in wind. It was almost due east. So through Princes and past towers.
The rivers narrows quite quickly so under QE2 bridge and eventually to the barrier.
Did my bit on getting clearance through the barrier with London VTS, all ok.
As everyone warned me, loads of rubbish in river so did a sedate 10 knots after QE2.
And so onto to St. Katherines. About a dozen boats waiting to go through lock, manic for a while, trying to hold station (all buoys full) and passenger boats using St. Kats Pier. Eventually got into lock.
Into relative peace of the marina and ties up about 1:00pm
So onto to Teddington and beyond tomorrow, must remember ot pay respects to Forbsie.
Bit late posting today, had visitors. Anyway left Ramsgate at 8:00am this morning near perfect conditions.
Bit lumpy up tp North Foreland but once round into the estuary very smooth. Used Princes channel, as advice was to avoid Overland route if any east in wind. It was almost due east. So through Princes and past towers.
The rivers narrows quite quickly so under QE2 bridge and eventually to the barrier.
Did my bit on getting clearance through the barrier with London VTS, all ok.
As everyone warned me, loads of rubbish in river so did a sedate 10 knots after QE2.
And so onto to St. Katherines. About a dozen boats waiting to go through lock, manic for a while, trying to hold station (all buoys full) and passenger boats using St. Kats Pier. Eventually got into lock.
Into relative peace of the marina and ties up about 1:00pm
So onto to Teddington and beyond tomorrow, must remember ot pay respects to Forbsie.
Captain Coochie
Well-Known Member
Re: St Kats
I'm worried ! Forbsie is now the first forum member people see on the Thames /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
I'm worried ! Forbsie is now the first forum member people see on the Thames /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
byron
RIP
Re: St Kats
Splendid! and thanks for all the photographs. I have enjoyed them all no end.
Curious as to how/where you managed all the Internet connections.
Splendid! and thanks for all the photographs. I have enjoyed them all no end.
Curious as to how/where you managed all the Internet connections.
Geoffs
Well-Known Member
Re: St Kats
Got a laptop and mobile modem on boat. Ain't technology wonderful. See ya soon if all continues to go well. got to persuade EA to let me in yet. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
Got a laptop and mobile modem on boat. Ain't technology wonderful. See ya soon if all continues to go well. got to persuade EA to let me in yet. /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
TrueBlue
Well-Known Member
Re: St Kats
Thanks for asking, Byron - I wondered too.
Looking at sundry threads and posts here it's rapidly becoming apparent that it is now economic to use a mobile phone G3 to get near ADSL speeds and for about the same money.
As with much in business nowadays there's "not a lot" of real information when you try to sign up. The attitude seems to be:-
It's wonderful,
Get it now,
Pay up (min: 18 months contact).
Zilch detail about what speeds to reasonably expect; vague map showing where you can't get a connection,
No T's & C's to read first,
OK it's not a lot of money to tip your toe in the water, but isn't it reasonable to know what the vendor is committing to (if anything???)
Thanks for asking, Byron - I wondered too.
Looking at sundry threads and posts here it's rapidly becoming apparent that it is now economic to use a mobile phone G3 to get near ADSL speeds and for about the same money.
As with much in business nowadays there's "not a lot" of real information when you try to sign up. The attitude seems to be:-
It's wonderful,
Get it now,
Pay up (min: 18 months contact).
Zilch detail about what speeds to reasonably expect; vague map showing where you can't get a connection,
No T's & C's to read first,
OK it's not a lot of money to tip your toe in the water, but isn't it reasonable to know what the vendor is committing to (if anything???)
Geoffs
Well-Known Member
Re: St Kats
I've got one of them dongle thingys. Came as part of the deal when I got a new phone from '3'. Works well, get 2GB a month which is enough. A bit slower than broadband at home, but not much. Claims 'up tp' 3.5mps. Doubt it gets there. ideal for on the boat though.
I've got one of them dongle thingys. Came as part of the deal when I got a new phone from '3'. Works well, get 2GB a month which is enough. A bit slower than broadband at home, but not much. Claims 'up tp' 3.5mps. Doubt it gets there. ideal for on the boat though.
Captain Coochie
Well-Known Member
Re: St Kats
Good to see you today Geoff , sorry i didnt get over in time to have a beer but i was trying to blow the new toy up with the pump on suck /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Good to see you today Geoff , sorry i didnt get over in time to have a beer but i was trying to blow the new toy up with the pump on suck /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
Geoffs
Well-Known Member
Kingston
Me again, got as far as Kingston, today. Having stopped for a couple of beers with Forbsie at EEl Pie. What a fascinating place that is, and what a 'project' gordon has.
Left St Kats about 1:30pm, on about the third lock out of the day. Must say they are most efficient at St Kats, calling you on radio when they are ready for you to leave your pontoon, having registered your preferred departure the evening before, it was very busy today, of course. locking out into river.
So up river past the place where a bunch of t*ssers fiddle their expenses and figure new ways to screw more cash out of us!!
On up river with the last chance for a wake shot, for a while.
Having said good buy to Gordon off up to Teddington
Don't know who was on duty it was not our own tame lock keeper. But a very helpful chap who saw me through ok, having relieved me of some dosh, of couurse. Just went up to Kingston and found a spot for the night. A nice low bank when I could clean all the salt water off the hull.
No real plans for tomorrow, just plod on up river.
Me again, got as far as Kingston, today. Having stopped for a couple of beers with Forbsie at EEl Pie. What a fascinating place that is, and what a 'project' gordon has.
Left St Kats about 1:30pm, on about the third lock out of the day. Must say they are most efficient at St Kats, calling you on radio when they are ready for you to leave your pontoon, having registered your preferred departure the evening before, it was very busy today, of course. locking out into river.
So up river past the place where a bunch of t*ssers fiddle their expenses and figure new ways to screw more cash out of us!!
On up river with the last chance for a wake shot, for a while.
Having said good buy to Gordon off up to Teddington
Don't know who was on duty it was not our own tame lock keeper. But a very helpful chap who saw me through ok, having relieved me of some dosh, of couurse. Just went up to Kingston and found a spot for the night. A nice low bank when I could clean all the salt water off the hull.
No real plans for tomorrow, just plod on up river.
Geoffs
Well-Known Member
Re: St Kats
Good to see you from a distance and put a face to a name, well a backside anyway /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
Good to see you from a distance and put a face to a name, well a backside anyway /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
No Regrets
Well-Known Member
Re: St Kats
Usual rules apply Geoff, remove Turbochargers and leave them at Teddington.
Look forward to seeing you at the Weekend BBQ, great piccies etc so far!
/forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif
Usual rules apply Geoff, remove Turbochargers and leave them at Teddington.
Look forward to seeing you at the Weekend BBQ, great piccies etc so far!
/forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif
Geoffs
Well-Known Member
Re: St Kats
Yeh took off turbo, but left supercharger on, just in case.
Yeh took off turbo, but left supercharger on, just in case.
No Regrets
Well-Known Member
Re: St Kats
Might help to get the BBQ going. Sensible idea /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif
Might help to get the BBQ going. Sensible idea /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif
Richard Shead
Slipped Anchor
Re: St Kats
So up river past the place where a bunch of t*ssers fiddle their expenses and figure new ways to screw more cash out of us!!...
For a minute there I thought you were talking about our office........
In all seriousness been looking out for you all day, cycled down the Richmond / Kew towpath watching everyone come up, saw all of TMYC and I think Twick Yacht Club but not you!
Have a good night in Kingston just a word of warning the night club opposite runs a student night on Mondays.....
So up river past the place where a bunch of t*ssers fiddle their expenses and figure new ways to screw more cash out of us!!...
For a minute there I thought you were talking about our office........
In all seriousness been looking out for you all day, cycled down the Richmond / Kew towpath watching everyone come up, saw all of TMYC and I think Twick Yacht Club but not you!
Have a good night in Kingston just a word of warning the night club opposite runs a student night on Mondays.....
Geoffs
Well-Known Member
Re: St Kats
Pity I missed you, was up Kew way about 3:30pm. Nightclub won't worry me, once my head hits the pillow I'm gone!
Pity I missed you, was up Kew way about 3:30pm. Nightclub won't worry me, once my head hits the pillow I'm gone!
Geoffs
Well-Known Member
Re: St Kats
Just remembered to put anchor down, just in case some kind person casts me adrift in the night. Wouldn't be the first time that's happened.
Just remembered to put anchor down, just in case some kind person casts me adrift in the night. Wouldn't be the first time that's happened.
Captain Coochie
Well-Known Member
Re: St Kats
[ QUOTE ]
For a minute there I thought you were talking about our office........
[/ QUOTE ] /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
I have never thought of mooring that side , i normally use the finger pontoons a bit further up on the other side . If you need to stock up in the morning you can pull up on the finger pontoons and walk into Kingston . Or a meal tonight there is a mexican type place near enough opposite the finger pontoons but you will get the noise when the clubs fall out .
As a side note i remember reading of a shelf between kingston and Hampton court on that side of the river , put in by the Victorians i think . Not sure where it starts or how deep it is but maybe stick the boat hook in before you cast off just to check . You will see the small steps leading up from the river all along that side as you head on to Hampton court .
[ QUOTE ]
For a minute there I thought you were talking about our office........
[/ QUOTE ] /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
I have never thought of mooring that side , i normally use the finger pontoons a bit further up on the other side . If you need to stock up in the morning you can pull up on the finger pontoons and walk into Kingston . Or a meal tonight there is a mexican type place near enough opposite the finger pontoons but you will get the noise when the clubs fall out .
As a side note i remember reading of a shelf between kingston and Hampton court on that side of the river , put in by the Victorians i think . Not sure where it starts or how deep it is but maybe stick the boat hook in before you cast off just to check . You will see the small steps leading up from the river all along that side as you head on to Hampton court .
bradtarga34
Well-Known Member
Re: St Kats
sounds like you are having a trip to remember for a long long time and for all the right reasons. You will probably have the river to yourself for the couple of days so hope all goes well. We were keeping an eye out for you and stocked the bar up just in case you came past. /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif
sounds like you are having a trip to remember for a long long time and for all the right reasons. You will probably have the river to yourself for the couple of days so hope all goes well. We were keeping an eye out for you and stocked the bar up just in case you came past. /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif
Gavi
Well-Known Member
Re: St Kats
It is fun to read about this adventure. Don't forget to salute as you pass Church Island in Staines (just after the road bridge) /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
It is fun to read about this adventure. Don't forget to salute as you pass Church Island in Staines (just after the road bridge) /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif
Captain Coochie
Well-Known Member
Re: St Kats
Depending on how far you get if you past Sunbury lock and pass the EA Headquaters on your Stbd side you can get fuel in Shepperton marina . The marina is a small cut on the Stbd side and there is Walton Marina on the port side with a blue foot bridge . You can also get fresh water and electric if you need it . Oh and Hampton court has a pump out station but i am sure you covered that one just after Big Ben /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
If you get as far as Walton then just after Walton bridge you can go into the cut on the Port or go Stbd taking you a nicer route but it will add 1/2 hour to your trip . You can moor at the lawn and again a hight street is not far away for eating out or stocking up on what ever you need .
Depending on how far you get if you past Sunbury lock and pass the EA Headquaters on your Stbd side you can get fuel in Shepperton marina . The marina is a small cut on the Stbd side and there is Walton Marina on the port side with a blue foot bridge . You can also get fresh water and electric if you need it . Oh and Hampton court has a pump out station but i am sure you covered that one just after Big Ben /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif
If you get as far as Walton then just after Walton bridge you can go into the cut on the Port or go Stbd taking you a nicer route but it will add 1/2 hour to your trip . You can moor at the lawn and again a hight street is not far away for eating out or stocking up on what ever you need .
