The 2010 thread!

No Regrets

No Regrets

Well-Known Member
Joined
9 Jul 2007
Messages
8,330
Visit site
We're looking forward to next year, and some serious boating.

The plans are to not only attend all possible BCC events, but to take no Regrets all the way up to Osney (Surprisingly for the first time in her life, as she was based on Loch Ness originally, and called 'Ness Neptune' before being carted down to the Broads, where she was built!) and down to Limehouse and beyond, possibly to the Barrier, either direction being the furthest sensible/ practical limits of her ability.

Now I know we could take her right downriver, but a breakdown would make this a catastrophe, as the spare engine is 11hp, and it might take weeks to get back to civilisation!

Time is tight as always, so holidays will have to be planned very carefully too. I'm now planning for her reinstatement in March/April for the BCC Fitting out cruise, including services, and new Burgees (Tipsy Mouse will now be flown!!)

Anybody else have any plans yet?
 
Romeo Delta (was My She 1) was due to be craned back into the water yesterday...

Looking forward to going to the barrier as well (although probably in Jan or Feb) and maybe the Medway in the Summer
 
If folks are thinking of planning -

Could I commend consideration of the National Waterways Festival at Beale Park over the August Bank Holiday Weekend.

Yes, yes, yes I know that there will be hundreds of those tin things mored up to six deep all along the river.

BUT inside the show it's definitely not all strange narrowboaty.
  • There are engines and chandlery for all types of craft,
  • Lots of non boaty events in the display ring.
  • BW and EA may be there to take your flack.
  • Historic boats
  • Hundreds of guest ales
  • All sorts of foods on sale not just burgers.
  • Quite a lot for kids to see and do.
  • If you stay in the evening (need to buy tickets in advance), then there's entertainment to boot.
  • The IWA are trying to make it of interest to all sorts of inland boats wherever their location

You'll be stuck with the extra traffic - to be fair it's the week of the event where there will be traffic issues, so go along and see what all the fuss is about.


Usual disclaimers, not a member of the IWA, or organisation, just an interested boater trying to pull things together.
 
"Now I know we could take her right downriver"


We had the pleasure of chatting to the owner of a Freeman 26 as he came through East Farleigh lock last summer on his way back home
.
Me where are you from.......local ?
Him ...Nope....we moor opposite Windsor Great park.
Me blimey......first time round here ?
Him.....Nope...loads of times ?
Me what engines.....couple of ?????
Him.....Nope single...
Me.... 100 something or other ?
Him ...Nope ....40 Hp

Me... Respect Dude.:)
 
Last edited:
TrueBlue said:
Could I commend consideration of the National Waterways Festival at Beale Park over the August Bank Holiday Weekend.
Click to expand...

Well you can commend away but it seems to me there is a very unfortunate clash of dates as that is the same weekend as the ATYC Rally at Kingston.

I was going to suggest that we could perhaps organise a Thames Forum Rally at tthe IWC Festival but ............
 
The NB rally at Child Beale is always so carefully managed that it can only be described as bloody impressive. From beginning to end it is handled with military precision. Even on leaving NBs are sent off in batches to prevent lock clogging.
 
No Regrets said:
We're looking forward to next year, and some serious boating.

The plans are to not only attend all possible BCC events, but to take no Regrets all the way up to Osney (Surprisingly for the first time in her life, as she was based on Loch Ness originally, and called 'Ness Neptune' before being carted down to the Broads, where she was built!) and down to Limehouse and beyond, possibly to the Barrier, either direction being the furthest sensible/ practical limits of her ability.


QUOTE]

I can recomend going up to Osney , and beyond if you can get under the bridge. We went to Lechlade earlier in the summer and loved the upper parts of the thames. Its a different river once you get to Port Meadow and beyond.

We filmed on the way back as a part of a project I`m working on so maybe some of it will end up on You Tube.
Click to expand...
 
We went to the last festival held at Beale Park. It was an excellent couple of days. The only disappointment was that there were so few cruisers taking moorings. The festival itself had plenty to interest all sorts of boaters though and the evening events were great as well.

The organisation could not be faulted. There was a mobile shop on site for an hour or so each morning selling basic supplies and a boat cruising up and down taking away rubbish sacks.

It would be great if we could get a few more "proper" river boats there this time. The only ones I spotted last time was a group from the Seamasters owners club. I accept that the rally at Kingston will be more attractive for many, especially as it will mean going in the opposite direction to all those hundreds of NBs, but there are many of us on the upper Thames for whom Beale is a much easier journey.
 
I am surprised that Child Beale has never been considered as a venue for the ATYC rally. Well! perhaps it has and is considered too far for down river boats such as TMYC and the like.
The Thames Valley Rally too should consider it. They pay an absolute fortune to be at Henley and it's not a bad run for those clubs taking part.
 
DWT said:
We went to the last festival held at Beale Park. It was an excellent couple of days. The only disappointment was that there were so few cruisers taking moorings. The festival itself had plenty to interest all sorts of boaters though and the evening events were great as well.

The organisation could not be faulted. There was a mobile shop on site for an hour or so each morning selling basic supplies and a boat cruising up and down taking away rubbish sacks.

It would be great if we could get a few more "proper" river boats there this time. The only ones I spotted last time was a group from the Seamasters owners club. I accept that the rally at Kingston will be more attractive for many, especially as it will mean going in the opposite direction to all those hundreds of NBs, but there are many of us on the upper Thames for whom Beale is a much easier journey.
Click to expand...

The IWA would really welcome different types of boats, and would make space for them, though it might present some challenges - lengths / deck heights.

Boating and keeping navigations open and running is their aim and don't have an axe to grind - better stated as, any issue, with a particular type of vessel.

The organisers would be delighted to be approached by a boat club, or organised group of folks - what about a forum marquee?
 
byron said:
I am surprised that Child Beale has never been considered as a venue for the ATYC rally. Well! perhaps it has and is considered too far for down river boats such as TMYC and the like.
The Thames Valley Rally too should consider it. They pay an absolute fortune to be at Henley and it's not a bad run for those clubs taking part.
Click to expand...

I wonder whether Beale Park has any "facilities", doesn't Henley have 'leccy and water?

The best site for a smaller gathering is by the trip boat landing stage, as access to the main area requires a pontoon bridge carrying the Thames Path to be swung on demand by a team of volunteers - a complete pain for all concerned.

However, using the landing stage area doesn't have good access for caterers / tent hire folk -methinks, but I could be completely wrong. Otherwise it's an excellent site, wide river and not a huge amount of traffic.
 
byron said:
I am surprised that Child Beale has never been considered as a venue for the ATYC rally. Well! perhaps it has and is considered too far for down river boats such as TMYC and the like.
The Thames Valley Rally too should consider it. They pay an absolute fortune to be at Henley and it's not a bad run for those clubs taking part.
Click to expand...

its hard enough getting Harlyford to Henley Beale Park stands no chance
 
Not strictly on the thames i know.

But we plan to take Naughty-Cal from Lincoln to Leeds for our warm up run at Easter and then we have a series of sea trips planned including Bridlington, Whitby and a round trip from Lincoln-Hull-Boston-Lincoln. Should be a good year, just hope we take to boating at sea
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Top