Oldgits Bank Hols trip to Tonbridge.

[oldgit]

The long awaited trip to Ramsgate being halted due to wind the only alternative was to turn left and go up through Allington lock and see how far we could travel up the Med before the high flood water level prevented us going any further.
Passing through lock we heard rumours of a boat trapped in the Town centre of Tonbridge.
The weather forecasts had obviously put everyone off as we hardly saw a soul except for a large number of canoists camping out at various locks in the upper bits of the river.
Mrs Oldgit (lower right) gazing into the distance wondering just how much longer before a glass of pinot will arrive.

The que for the lock
You can park over night round behind the staging,however the nearest pub is about a mile away over the fields.

The last lock before Tonbridge and our destination not sure what the fuss was all about as loads of room (3") under the problem low bridge just outside town.
In the town lock,a very very low bridge just ahead prevents further navigation by proper boats with only NBs able to creep under.Not apparent in this shot is fact that all top hamper has been stripped off the wheel house leaving only brackets an stuff sticking up and inch or so..
On return trip mrs Og insisted on tv ant being put back up,needless to say forgot all about it until we hit a bridge and it all ended up dangling !!!

On the way back ....our little medieval bridge at Teston

 

[Mashby]

Thanks Oldgit for posting the piccies I never knew proper boats could get that far inland.

Hope to try it one day although bit of a treck from Walton.

Cheers
Matt

 

[oldgit]

Here be Dragons.

"Hope to try it one day "

We do have a few of the more intrepid boaters from the Thames come round each year. Some unkind souls would say(but not me of course ) that the lack of a lock keeper round very corner down here does cause some consternation among Thames boat drivers.
Its air draft that is the main problem er as well as depth, we had a Seamaster parked along side us over night so many boats should be able to get to Tonbridge with a bit of determination.
Last year we had a chat with a couple who moor at Windsor,opposite the castle grounds,who came round in a very small boat powered by a single little deisel,lord knows how long it must have taken to get down Sea Reach and up the tidal Medway.
You will need to fairly self sufficiant as water and shops are normally some distance away(and pubs) but the lack of other boats is an attraction.
Spot the difference and no phoning a friend.

 

[Andrew_Fanner]

Jedi will never make it to Tonbridge but Maidstone (and possibly Yalding) are viable.

 

[oldgit]

Oldgits intimate guide to bridges of the Medway.

"Jedi will never make it to Tonbridge but Maidstone"

This will be problem,the bridge immediately after Yalding Lock,only way to find out is to go through lock which is a bit of a pain if no go.

Maidstone Town centre

Farleigh Lock

Yet another bridge(Barming)

Or this at Aylesford

Bow Bridge at Wateringbury

The baby DIY lifting bridge at Yalding

Branbridge.

Footbridge over disused lock

Cannon bridge at Tonbridge

Going under .

and if pictures of bridges is your thing( East Peckham)

And finally our mystery Bridge ?

OK then seeing as you asked.....

 

[[2068]]

Ahhh, Tonbridge.

I have fond memories as a 16-yr old of pounding the towpath in a howling December gale, being shouted at by the games teacher that I would never make the team. He was right.

That picture of going underneath Cannon bridge: if anyone onboard had sneezed there would have been serious gelcoat damage and GPS hardware winding up on the bathing platform.

 

[oldgit]

That picture of going underneath Cannon bridge: if anyone onboard had sneezed

Its either that or a long walk back to the mooring from the high street (ie. pub) in the evening.