USA Visitor Boating The Thames

Cliveshep said:
If, as is likely, you stop off at Tesco in Reading for shopping, do lock all valuables in the cabin and close up the boat. The towpath is quite busy there and the local scroats know that when boats moor the crews often spend an hour or more away shopping thus leaving the coast clear for them. A couple of years ago SWMBO surprised a couple of teenagers who had boarded our boat, she was down below whilst I and the kids were in Tesco. They fled empty-handed on their bikes but it could have been much, much worse for her, being alone and out of sight of help down below, if things had turned ugly.
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Thanks for the heads-up. Tescos in Reading is on our ToDo list. I think we'll leave someone, clearly visible, at the boat while we shop there. We watched "A Clockwork Orange" again this past weekend and now you're scaring me. ;)

We've taken Gavi's advice on our first night out of Penton Hook and will moor upstream from the Bellweir Lock in Runnymede area. Then, on to Windsor. Thanks for your descriptions of the meaning of flags flying over Windsor Castle...who would have known.

Question: do any of you have experience with EurEeuWeb Water-Way Sat-Sav and Boat Management software from a company at Eureauweb.com? We've been in contact with Mike Kelly from Eureauweb.com who sells an "electronic guide" to navigating inland waterways of England. His software can be used on a laptop connected to a small GPS receiver. He offered a special low price deal for the week we are on the river for testing and feedback. He's also agreed to meet us and get it all working at Penton Hook on day-one. This might be overkill for our trip, but as first-timers on the river, it might be useful for navigation, information, and locating sites to visit. Comments?

Dave
 
djones18 said:
Tescos in Reading is on our ToDo list. I think we'll leave someone, clearly visible, at the boat while we shop there. We watched "A Clockwork Orange" again this past weekend and now you're scaring me. ;)

We've taken Gavi's advice on our first night out of Penton Hook and will moor upstream from the Bellweir Lock in Runnymede area. Then, on to Windsor. Thanks for your descriptions of the meaning of flags flying over Windsor Castle...who would have known.

Question: do any of you have experience with EurEeuWeb Water-Way Sat-Sav and Boat Management software from a company at Eureauweb.com? We've been in contact with Mike Kelly from Eureauweb.com who sells an "electronic guide" to navigating inland waterways of England. His software can be used on a laptop connected to a small GPS receiver. He offered a special low price deal for the week we are on the river for testing and feedback. He's also agreed to meet us and get it all working at Penton Hook on day-one. This might be overkill for our trip, but as first-timers on the river, it might be useful for navigation, information, and locating sites to visit. Comments?

Dave
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We've had an untie attempt at lunchtime at the park in Reading whilst my wife was on the foredeck. She challenged the yobs and they became mildly aggressive, but fled. Just go through Reading and don't stop. It's the only bit of the river that I've ever had any problems so don't let this put you off.

There's a nice big Waitrose in the Centre of Windsor which is a far nicer supermarket than Tesco - why not stock up there?

Or just up from Penton Hook, moor at the Swan in Staines (a different Swan to the one in the pictures thread) and there is a big Sainsbury less than 5 mins walk from the river. Follow the road signs to Winsdor and you can't miss it.


RE the electronic guide, if it's free why not, but the Chris Cove Smith book is all you need.
 
Thanks!!

Greetings All,

We are flying from Washington D.C. to Heathrow tomorrow, September 11th, and will be on your amazing River Saturday. We've done our planning and weather permitting, or not, we intend to have a great vacation.

Air travel on 9/11? Doesn't bother me. I was in the Pentagon that infamous morning eight years ago. I'm making a statement. A bit off topic...sorry.

We want to thank you for your generous recommendations and tips. We have added virtually all of these to our ToDo list.

We will be connected while on the river and I'll report on how accurate you were...not that you'd consider misleading an american visitor of course. Perhaps we will meet some of you who may be out this weekend or during the week.

I was told by one of you to buy tinned pineapple, which I'll do, to perform some bizarre ritual which I have yet to figure out...but I'm game.

Regards,

Dave
 
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welcome

Well done for travelling tomorrow, I must confess that I told my lad not to get on the London Underground yesterday (9/9/9 which is significant to us in the UK...)

Not wishing to undermine Elessar's recommendation for Waitrose in Windsor (which is great) if you moor up OPPOSITE the Swan in Staines, there is also a Waitrose about 5 minutes walk away, and you will have some good nosebag BEFORE you get to Runnymede, ie for your first evening (c:

BTW, it is really not very far to Runnymede, you may be tempted to carry on, but treat it as:-

a) a stop to have a good look over your boat
b) a stop in the epicentre of history. It really is a significant place in the history of the UK, and by association the US, the similarity between our systems of law and justice are celebrated, as has been mentioned, by the American memorial.

you'll go past my little shed shortly after PH lock, if I'm there I'll give you a wave, but if not when you see a "beautiful" boat (eye of the beholder...) with a funny orange hull think "Rob says Hi!"

I really hope that the weather holds for you, but even if it's crap that can still enjoy your holiday (no such thing as bad weather, only the wrong clothes...)
 
Today I met Dave Jones

Heading downstream around lunchtime at Romney lock I met our American forumite Dave Jones with his wife and friends in what looked a massive ‘Le Boat’
He said how much he appreciated all the advice from the forum. He read Three Men in a Boat on the flight over and now understood the Pineapple issue.
I was apparently the first forum member he had met face to face. It was a pleasure to meet him, and if any other fellow forumites see him on his journey up the Thames do say hello.
 
rr_123 and I were around on Saturday on the Staines reach but missed him. It is, of course, possible that he passed while we were in the pub...
 
Dave meets JoeJo

joejo said:
Heading downstream around lunchtime at Romney lock I met our American forumite Dave Jones with his wife and friends in what looked a massive ‘Le Boat’
He said how much he appreciated all the advice from the forum. He read Three Men in a Boat on the flight over and now understood the Pineapple issue.
I was apparently the first forum member he had met face to face. It was a pleasure to meet him, and if any other fellow forumites see him on his journey up the Thames do say hello.
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We are now connected via one of your magic dongles to our laptop!! JoeJo introduced himself Saturday at Romney Lock to three ladies in a boat, not to mention the man. He is so kind and didn't mention how much fun the lock keeper and we were having keeping the lock and the "massive" LeBoat from killing one another. LeBoat was clearly coming out worse than the lock. I was still fighting the effects of jetlag...and that's my story! A few close calls the first day out but I think we may live. Thank you JoeJo for introducing yourself. If was a great pleasure to meet you.

We moored at Runnymede Saturday night across from the Magna Carta Memorial. As some of you recommended, we walked Sunday around the Runnymede Memorials and up Coopers Hill to the RAF Memorial. We read a bit of history of the site before we arrived and it came alive for us. Jerome K Jerome's passage in his book "Three Men in a Boat" of King John's torturous journey from Staines to Magna Carta island also came alive for us. The view from the top of the RAF Memorial was spectacular and a solemn reminder of the sacrifice of our brother airmen.

We're now moored at Windsor across from the Brocas among the Weeping Willow trees...that is to say Le Boat has become entangled in the willows. No doubt we'll figure a way out of this Tuesday morning as we motor upstream toward Cliveden.

This trip has more than exceeded our expectations! So far you've all been correct in your recommendations. Thanks for sharing your friendship with us on this forum.

Please don't hesitate to say hello should you see us. Meeting JoeJo made us feel very welcome to your River. More as the journey continues.

Cheers

Kit, Rita, Sharon and Dave
 
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Glad that everything is going OK, a wander up the road towards Eton makes for a nice evening stroll,some of the restaurant prices might make your eyes water a bit tho......
 
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Met up with Dave and his lovely crew here at Bray whilst topping up the H2O on route to Cookham. Driving the old LeBoat bus in this wind minus bowthruster will be a challenge but hey ho thats boating for you.
Nice to meet you Dave and keep the forum uo to speed on your journey
 
Hi Dave. As I write this we seem to be having a months worth of rain in an evening. I hope its better where you are than where I am in Camberley which is probably no more than thirty miles away from you as the crow flies.
I also hope the massive 'Le Boat' has good window and hatch seals.
Where have you got to now ?
Hope the trip is meeting all expectations still.

Kind regards Joe
 
Just a tip for Friday, make sure you are beyond Reading as there is a massive Exercise (Operation Neptune) going on on the river and on the meadow opposite Thames & Kennet marina starting Friday mornig which will cause some disruption. If you need to be up at Benson by Saturday I would expect you to be clear of the site, but just in case, you won't want to be held up.
 
Thanks Akers-like for coming down to introduce yourself at Bray as we refilled the H20 today. Driving LeBoat Bus without bow thrusters has taught me humility. SWMBO and the ladies really enjoyed meeting you. We continue to appreciate your friendship and the advice we receive.

Today your English weather caught up with us. Drizzle and light rain cleaned the remains of last nights willow trees off the deck and didn't dampen our spirits in the least. The river near Cliveden House and near Cookham where we are moored tonight is absolutely mesmerizing. Your River at Cookham is enchanting. As I write this by candlelight, the bells of Cookham church peal over our boat. We've warped back to the 18th Century.

The lock keepers have been friendly, funny, and informative. The Boulters Lock Keeper related some funny stories describing the many methods you use to enter and leave locks. I didn't know backing into a lock was accepted procedure. Maybe he was making us feel better.

Tomorrow, weather permitting, we will do some serious walking around the Cookham hills and forests. We'll be stopping at the Bounty Pub so many of you have recommended.

We will be clear of Reading by Thursday and appreciate the advice to stay well clear.

By any measure, our forray up your historic river continues to impress. If you see us, please wave or stop and say hello.

Regards,

Three Ladies in LeBoat, not to mention Dave
 
djones18 said:
We'll be stopping at the Bounty Pub so many of you have recommended.
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AH! The Bounty. Fond memories of Captain Hook who owned it years and years ago. Hooky had no hands, literally he had hooks. He terrified children by clacking his hooks and bellowing at them "When Cap'n Hook tells ye to behave the behave thou wilt" Despite this kids absolutely adored him. My boys really believed he knew Peter Pan.
 
I am glad you are having fun and re-learning the joys of English weather. That is why we have chosen the same week to head off for Spring in SA... leaving some poor, wet house sitters :)
 
Elessar said:
:eek

I thought I'd made all the mistakes ( not that that stops me making them again) but that's a new one on me! When will you be going through Marlow? I'll stroll down to say hello and watch the entertainment!
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We made it through the Marlow lock...the lock keeper complimented us on well we managed, at least for a duct taped together LeBoat hire bus. Either we are getting better at this or the lock keepers are radioing ahead a word of warning.

We made it to Marlow and are staying the night at the park beyond the strange suspension bridge. Strange in our view because we still can't figure out the protocol for determing which car has priority crossing the bridge.

Using walking maps we'd downloaded from an English website called walkingworld.com, our group set out to explore Cookham surrounds and Winter Hill. The views from the top of the Chiltern Hills were spectacular.

I'm beginning to think we will need to defect to England, request asylum, open a pub on the Thames and live happily ever after.

Off to Henley tomorrow and onward towards Benson, our final destination on Saturday.

If you see us, stay well clear and wave or say hello.

Regards,

Three Ladies in a Boat, not to mention Dave
 
Marlow

The poet Shelley lived in Marlow - you're into walking and he was known to walk from there to London quite regularly which must have required a sturdy pair of boots. His Mrs (SWMBO) wrote the original novel about Dr Frankenstein and his "monster" (actually quite a shy and retiring fellah), but that was inspired at Lake Geneva, not Marlow.

Thought you might like to know (c:

Also I once organised a rally for around 500 Citroen 2CVs there. Not so famous, but it was a cracking sketch!
 
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