My Trip to The Thames

[No Regrets]

Re: Windsor

That sort of wake will get you in big trouble with the Robos /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

Good progress so far, see you in a few days /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

 

[Geoffs]

Re: Windsor

I'm sitting here at Marlow being bounced up and down by those chase boat thingys the rowers use, must be doing lots of knots more than the speed limit. Does it not apply to them? Outboard powered motor boats. Ok the wash they produce is much less than I would at that speed, but still very noticable, bugger, just spilt my drink. /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

 

[No Regrets]

Re: Windsor

Thats because you're drunk Goeff, oh, and your boats the wrong shape for the River /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif

 

[Captain Coochie]

Re: Windsor

Just wait till 6am when you get the loud hailer giving them instructions /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif I'm thinking of getting my own hailer so i can shout back to shut the **** up /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[jecuk]

Re: Windsor

Where are you at Marlow?

 

[Captain Coochie]

Re: Windsor

I'm not in Marlow , i'm at home /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[Geoffs]

Re: Windsor

Sorry not at Marlow any more, I'd gone to bed by 23:06. But I was on the towpath side alongside some sort of park, about 200 yds up from the bridge. At Sonning as I write this.

 

[jecuk]

Re: Windsor

Higginson Park. Would have brought you a coffee...

Has mooring up been pretty easy so far? You photo make it look like mostly proper moorings with rings for your lines. Not much need for mooring pins so far?

 

[Geoffs]

Re: Windsor

On the way back? Or if it's as warm as this, I'll find you a cold beer /forums/images/graemlins/cool.gif

I did stop just above Sonning lock and had to use my shiny new mooring pins. They've got muddy now /forums/images/graemlins/frown.gif

 

[Geoffs]

Reading

Had a phone call from Mike (Doolittle) last night giving bad news about Sonning Bridge, on this mooring. Note the generator to power the microwave for my supper. Having indulged lunchtime at Bray, something simple was called for, even with the pull of all those nice restaurants in Marlow.

At that time it was unclear what the closure was, visions of not making it to Ashmount.

All the info we had was that the bridge would be closed at 2:00pm, if only the EA had said that just a few hours was likely, then no problem. Dear Eileen /forums/images/graemlins/mad.gif

As it was I was up and away at 6:30am, to make certain I was at sonning by 2:00pm. Worked Temple, Hurley and Hambledon all on my own. I must say the river was fabulous at that time of the morning.

Had the benefit of power at Hambledon, and the lock keeper came on duty just as I was leaving, so I didn't have to empty the lock.

Made passing friends with a couple in a narrow boat, they seemed astounded that you could even get to sea from the Thames /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

By the time I got to Wargrave the sun was scorching hot, had to put my bimini up! Stopped above Sonning lock for a few hours to catch up on some kip.

On Tesco's mooring at Reading tonight.

Will wait for Tony (B1) to catch up tomorrow, and we'll head on up to Ashmount in convoy.

 

[Captain Coochie]

Re: Reading

I have heard that Tescos at Reading is always full of NB's Do you think they are growing the stinging nettles for a soup /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif
This is a great thread and will hopefully will get more people making the trip up the Thames .

 

[Geoffs]

Re: Reading

I don't know why NB's gather here, but I'm the only non narrow boat.

 

[Captain Coochie]

Re: Reading

Lock your doors tonight , just incase /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

 

[jecuk]

Re: Reading

Particularly doing it single handed is very impressive.

Watch the NBs. If you are not careful they will steal all your maneuverability.

 

[Annevmedd]

Re:Geoffs epic voyage

Hi geoff, we miss you !
When you are due back I am arranging salute as you pass Needles battery, Poole Town Band-if there is one- on the Quay and honour guard on pontoon at Cobbs with hooters. We might even get the flotilla together to come and escort you in, bet you wont come back at all
now I've said that !!!!! signed The Three Musketeers

 

[Nat]

Great report. Reminds me of my river days. I'd forgotten just how sedate the upper Thames can be. Good luck with your return trip
Nat

 

[beejay190]

Re:Geoffs epic voyage

He'll be back - and we are gonna have to listen to the story of his Thames trip for years to come /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

 

[No Regrets]

Re:Geoffs epic voyage

As the sun sets on Geoffs trip to Ashmount...

Great to meet you at last Geoff, and have a safe journey home /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

(This pic is horribly similar to Pauls one on another thread, but deffo a new one!)

 

[Geoffs]

Re:Geoffs epic voyage

Lovely picture, John. I can see it's a bit different, probably a little aerlier.

I'm home now after 10 days away, feels strange. Have left the old tub in the capable hands of Byron.

Will update the final part of my log, bit late 'cos laptop died.

 

[Geoffs]

Ashmount

As Boatone has already reported I arrived at Ashmount on Friday. Not been able to post until now as an unfortunate laptop encounter with a thunderstorm has prove fatal to said laptop.

Have got home after the trip of a lifetime, for me, and everyone I have met on the way has been great. Should also have some photos of final leg of trip, with B1 in Legacy, but Photobucket won't plat now!

Anyway my trip was finished off with a fantastic weekend, with dinner in the Beetle & wedge on Friday and the BBQ on Saturday, followed by a nice quiet Sunday lazing on the boat.

I can't finish without thanking Eileen and Byron for all their hospitality at Ashmount, it really is a beautiful property, and wonderful of them to let us share a bit of it.

What next, I plan to potter around Abingdon and Oxford for a few days, then head down river on 22nd May hoping to reach Poole by 31 May. If the weather is good should make it well before then. Let's hope this great weather continues, or at least light winds for my sea passage.

I have received many favourable comments about this little log, I've enjoyed putting it together as part of my adventure.

***************************************************UPDATE************************************************************************

Photobucket now playing, so some photos.

My final night before South Stoke was outside Tescos with about 4 narrow boats. Had to squeeze in a 30ft space, as I went in I was being watched so thought 'Bit like trying to park at Tesco's here, innit', was appropriate. Had ag reat breakfast in Tesco's in the morning.

So waited foe Boatone to reach Reading and we set off together.

To keep within speed limit engine has to do a max of 800 rpm

Tony and I were exchanging navigational info on channel 6, well chatting mostly!!!

My Volvo D4 has never ever produced the slightest wisp of smoke, but after all this slow running there is a bit of blue smoke on startup. Hope a blast in the estuary later will sort it.

Got Tony framed by Gatehampton railway bridge.

The final lock at Cleeve, and stop for water, directed to a mooring by the harbourmaster, and journey's end.