Thames Trip 2025

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oldgit

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Joined
6 Nov 2001
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Location
Medway
Visit site
So far.
Bog waste pump stopped working night prior to departure.
Accidently switched on with valve shut, thermal fuse saves day.
Weather forecast for trip round 100%.
Alarms go off in Sea Reach.
Some idiot did not put cooling water cap back on properly.
Bilge full of water.
Bodge up hose from sink tap to engine and refill
.Not much moving in the pool and no rowers shout at us .
.Arrive at barrier as it lifts, straight through Lock and pay
up..
Teddington over night and then squeeze into tiny gap at Hampton Court.
Shortly afterwards a row on towpath between a couple of livaboards and we quickly moved on up to Lady Lyndisrs.
Much more space there now 😁.
Depressing numbers of abandoned boats and did actually find two lockd manned.
Now at MDL PH, Runnymede next.
Nice to be back.
Best place for fuel if needed ?
 
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Depends how desperate you are for fuel. MDL PH has diesel onsite, sometimes has petrol.
I was out on Saturday, locks all manned and when we got there before midday Lady Linleys was already full
Same number of sunken boats
 
Not that many boats moored overnight at Runnymede.
Now at Windsor on the Brocas.
A few spaces still on both sides of river.
A couple of locks on S/S on way but most manned.
Very little on the move but more Le Boats spotted than on any other trip up here..
Most RCC boats further upstream.
We may be going back down today.
Want to call in at PHYC clubhouse.
Fuel not vital.
Shepperton advertising £1.24 ?.
 
Now at PHYC.
Made most welcome.
All locks manned on way down from Windsor.
Looking at weather on Wednesday for trip back.
Will contact Lock to find out when we can go through.?🤞
 
oldgit said:
Assuming Teddington open a couple of hours either side of
HW ?
Click to expand...
No. It’s up to 90 mins before high tide only and it 0900-1700 ( 1630) unless it has been updated which I doubt. Get below it and moor up at Tedd Harbour. Call Howard on 0208 977 9978.
 
Rang lock yesterday while in PH.
Going into lock around 10.30. today.
Richmond lifts at 11.15.
Forecast F2 for trip round.
Back at RCC approx 17.00.
All in all excellent trip.
Did not share a single lock with any other craft and only a handful of other boats on the move. A couple were manned.It also helps if previous users shut the sluices on exit
Actually the "crew" quite enjoyed working the locks at our own pace.
Would have stopped at HC .overnight but still clogged with livaboards so on to dinner in the Tides End and the Teddington moorings.
 

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oldgit said:
It also helps if previous users shut the sluices on exit
Click to expand...

Slightly puzzled by that comment as usually its better if they are left open as the gates cannot be operated without the sluices open, if you arrive downstream at an empty lock but sluices closed the system will have to do the whole slow open sluices routine before you can open the gates. Bit longer going the other way to close bottom sluices first but generally works well, if lock has been departed upstream sluices left open keeps it full for the next arrival if from that direction and avoids the slow open routine. If all sluices left closed the locks all leak and you usually arrive at a lock neither full or empty and need to open the sluices anyway to reset one way or the other. I know the EA say to close them but it doesn't really help anybody unless the lock is left unused for a longer time.
 
Simply a comment that when going down stream the previous occupants have closed the gates but left the the sluices open.
Meaning that muggins has, when finding out the upper gates will not function has to wander down to the lower pedestal to shut the sluices before going back up the the other end of the lock to open gates in order to enter lock chamber .

Anywho .....really nice week upon the non tidal and cracking F1 weather trip back round to the real world. :)
 
oldgit said:
Simply a comment that when going down stream the previous occupants have closed the gates but left the the sluices open.
Meaning that muggins has, when finding out the upper gates will not function has to wander down to the lower pedestal to shut the sluices before going back up the the other end of the lock to open gates in order to enter lock chamber .

Anywho .....really nice week upon the non tidal and cracking F1 weather trip back round to the real world. :)
Click to expand...
Just be thankful the lock is on Public Power! A gentle stroll between pedestals is MUCH better than the alternative.
 
Mushroom2 said:
Just be thankful the lock is on Public Power! A gentle stroll between pedestals is MUCH better than the alternative.
Click to expand...
Am very well aware of exactly how many times that blimming wheel needs to be rotated for every seperate operation required to transit a lock manually.
From memory it was Sonning...................early one bright summer morning and keen to get on.
No half power then.
Pah, why wait for a lockie..........after all just how much hard work could it possibly be 🥵
 
Followed a very unusual "CAT" powered by a pair of outboards down from Teddington,parted company just beyond the Woolwich Ferry when he commenced to do some 360 degree turns.
No name visible but looked like a commercial vessel.

Assume they will have to clear the moorings at Hampton CT at some point , always stopped there in the past to restock the boat, use the restuarants and take the grankids into the adventure playground, normally first place the Thames gets to see the inside of OGs wallet and frequently again on the way back down.
Other boaters mentioned noise/music and cheapo generators causing a swift departure and to avoid the place in future.
 
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