miket
Well-Known Member
Just returned from 4 days cruising from Sonning to Moulsford return.
After a busy year moving house with little time to use our boat, we finally managed a few days on the river. Not the greatest weather but managed half decent weather, At least remaining fairly dry.
From Sonning through Reading was dismal! So many hulks occupying riverside spots. What must visitors to the river think?! I know EA is suffering from under funding but come on. In a few years time all these hulks are going to be sitting on the bottom as their hulls rot through and the occupants have moved on, having abandoned their temporary cheap homes. Who pays then to clear up the mess, if anyone bothers. Many other places on the river seem to be suffering the same. Something needs to be done.
Tesco's (Reading) mooring was wall to wall canal boats, many of which were there last time we passed at least a month ago.
We find it quite depressing that the river we have used and loved for so many years has become a cheap home for new age travellers.
We came across one of the few remaining EA Inspectors launches and gave them a cheery wave. In response we got a miserable look (no wave in response) and a feeling that they were more interested in our speed/ wash. I later put on the chartplotter and was pleased to see that we were doing 4.7 knots. Easily close enough to the limit, especially in the absence of anything else moving.
On the plus side we had excellent meals at both the Miller of Mansfield (Goring) and Rossini at the Leatherne Botel.
For around £800 pa I am not sure that we are getting value for money.
If it were not for the social value of our continued membership of Upper Thames Motor Yacht Club, I really think we would call it a day.
Can someone tell me (with justification) that I am just being a grumpy old man?!
After a busy year moving house with little time to use our boat, we finally managed a few days on the river. Not the greatest weather but managed half decent weather, At least remaining fairly dry.
From Sonning through Reading was dismal! So many hulks occupying riverside spots. What must visitors to the river think?! I know EA is suffering from under funding but come on. In a few years time all these hulks are going to be sitting on the bottom as their hulls rot through and the occupants have moved on, having abandoned their temporary cheap homes. Who pays then to clear up the mess, if anyone bothers. Many other places on the river seem to be suffering the same. Something needs to be done.
Tesco's (Reading) mooring was wall to wall canal boats, many of which were there last time we passed at least a month ago.
We find it quite depressing that the river we have used and loved for so many years has become a cheap home for new age travellers.
We came across one of the few remaining EA Inspectors launches and gave them a cheery wave. In response we got a miserable look (no wave in response) and a feeling that they were more interested in our speed/ wash. I later put on the chartplotter and was pleased to see that we were doing 4.7 knots. Easily close enough to the limit, especially in the absence of anything else moving.
On the plus side we had excellent meals at both the Miller of Mansfield (Goring) and Rossini at the Leatherne Botel.
For around £800 pa I am not sure that we are getting value for money.
If it were not for the social value of our continued membership of Upper Thames Motor Yacht Club, I really think we would call it a day.
Can someone tell me (with justification) that I am just being a grumpy old man?!
BUT>>> You do have a valid point.
. I remember my Grandmother telling me that you can tell a lot about a person by their shoes. It's true. Although that was before Crocs were invented