oldgit
Well-Known Member
Glorious weekend and tide timing spot on.
HW around 13.00pm at Allington. BST.
Lock opens 2 hours before 11.00 BST
Need to arrive at lock around 12.00 BST to ensure water under and air above radar arch going through Aylesford Bridge.
No problems, went under with radar arch up and plenty of clearance
No other vessels seen on trip up except one narrow boat.
Some stuff on water surface , mainly rushes and small branches the odd plastic drum. Couple of trees down in tidal bit.
Meet a group of upriver clubs coming downstream on their annual Mayors Cruise complete with string band aboard.
Only half Allington Lock in operation, lower gates out of action , hydraulic pipes need attention,trying to find money to fix.
Very very few boats on the move and moorings in Maidstone Town centre virtually deserted.
No abandoned/sunk boats or obvious livaboards spotted.
Notable lack of plastic bottles and other single use crap in water.
EA staff are actively checking for licences both on and off river.
Back down to lock cut for peaceful overnight, out at lunchtime.
Can go as soon as we have a metre over the cill.
Flybridge skippers usually have to decide to go as soon as there is water and punch the tide or wait until about 1 hour after HW, to ensure getting under Aylesford Bridge.
Non flybridge can usually go when ready.
.
HW around 13.00pm at Allington. BST.
Lock opens 2 hours before 11.00 BST
Need to arrive at lock around 12.00 BST to ensure water under and air above radar arch going through Aylesford Bridge.
No problems, went under with radar arch up and plenty of clearance
No other vessels seen on trip up except one narrow boat.
Some stuff on water surface , mainly rushes and small branches the odd plastic drum. Couple of trees down in tidal bit.
Meet a group of upriver clubs coming downstream on their annual Mayors Cruise complete with string band aboard.
Only half Allington Lock in operation, lower gates out of action , hydraulic pipes need attention,trying to find money to fix.
Very very few boats on the move and moorings in Maidstone Town centre virtually deserted.
No abandoned/sunk boats or obvious livaboards spotted.
Notable lack of plastic bottles and other single use crap in water.
EA staff are actively checking for licences both on and off river.
Back down to lock cut for peaceful overnight, out at lunchtime.
Can go as soon as we have a metre over the cill.
Flybridge skippers usually have to decide to go as soon as there is water and punch the tide or wait until about 1 hour after HW, to ensure getting under Aylesford Bridge.
Non flybridge can usually go when ready.
.