Wallingford Newbie, hello all.

[Maestro]

Hi,
Bought my first boat (BMW Swift Offshore) last Summer as a punt as I recently moved next to the Thames Nr Wallingford and was instantly taken by all the fun that was being had by boat owners going up and down the Thames!
I was contemplating taking her out of the River for Winter but I'm so glad I didn't as I've had numerous "Bonus" weekends on the queit Thames.

I have no questions (yet!) but just wanted to introduce myself, I am a complete newbie so I'm hoping to pick up some top tips and boating terms in the future!

All the best for 2012.

 

[watson1959]

Hi,
Bought my first boat (BMW Swift Offshore) last Summer as a punt as I recently moved next to the Thames Nr Wallingford and was instantly taken by all the fun that was being had by boat owners going up and down the Thames!
I was contemplating taking her out of the River for Winter but I'm so glad I didn't as I've had numerous "Bonus" weekends on the queit Thames.

I have no questions (yet!) but just wanted to introduce myself, I am a complete newbie so I'm hoping to pick up some top tips and boating terms in the future!

All the best for 2012.

Welcome Maestro...newbie here too having just completed the first season. I'm moored down at T&K in Reading; also left the boat in the water this winter....lovely quiet days on the river with nobody to see my errors in the locks

Cheers

 

[dash300]

Welcome Maestro...newbie here too having just completed the first season. I'm moored down at T&K in Reading; also left the boat in the water this winter....lovely quiet days on the river with nobody to see my errors in the locks

Cheers

Bejesus! how do you manage to write nearly 2000 posts in your first season How do you fit in the rest of your life

 

[watson1959]

Bejesus! how do you manage to write nearly 2000 posts in your first season How do you fit in the rest of your life

By lots of enthusiastic questioning when I bought the boat and some extremely entertaining posts elsewhere.....fits in perfectly with an international career and lots of time spent in hotels.

Next question?

 

[dash300]

By lots of enthusiastic questioning when I bought the boat and some extremely entertaining posts elsewhere.....fits in perfectly with an international career and lots of time spent in hotels.

Next question?

Always wondered how the 'Jet set' entertained themselves.

 

[Ramage]

Well its probably that or youporn.....

 

[No Regrets]

You can't judge everyone by your own poor standards Paul!

'Youporn' is SO yesterday....

 

[Ian45]

Welcome to the forum. It can be a great place for expert advice, information and quite a lot of banter.

 

[Sulley]

Welcome Maestro, first season for me as well and I decided to also leave my boat in for winter. So glad I did as I've had a number of bonus days same as you.

I'm at Windsor but often get up to Wallingford.

 

[Chris_d]

Hi Maestro I am local to you, lived in Wallingford for many years and still live locally, my boat is a bit upstream above Days Lock so may see you out and about.

Your local boat club is the Oxford Ditch http://www.oxfordditch.co.uk there are few members on this forum if your interested.

Welcome to the river

 

[Maestro]

Cheers All!

Thanks for the replies,

Chris, I was up at Days Lock running this morning and found the famous "Clumps"! What amazing views! Pity the lock at Benson is closed as I havn't ventured up River from Wallingford yet (last year I spent my time between Henley and Wallingford).

Is there many riverside pubs from Wallingford to Oxford? I've already planned my first day out when the lock opens with a pint at the Shillingford Bridge Hotel then Mooring up at Days lock to take in the views and burn off the beer!

My only concern is the fact I have bought a Petrol boat, I generally filled up in Henley or tesco's in Reading last year, is there any places up river from Wallingford I can get fuel?

 

[Chris_d]

Lots of Pubs nearby but you have to know where to go
Shillingford Bridge ok but their mooring charges have gone up. For a real pub take a walk into Warborough to the Cricketeers Arms.
You can moor at the end of the river Thame before Days locks or just after and walk into Dorchester several good pubs there. Next up is the Barley Mow of Three Men in a Boat fame at Clifton Hampden, then your onto Abingdon and all it has to offer. Not much then until Sandford and Oxford, Oxford moorings not recomended as seemed to be plagued by drunks, but still worth a visit just need to watch out.

Petrol, forget it I'm afraid you will need jerry cans and fill up at your mooring, they used to sell it at Redline in Abingdon but at premimum riverside rates not sure if its still available.

 

[Sulley]

I had to pick up some petrol in Abingdon last year as we were low. It's a petrol pump standing by itself by the river just below Abingdon if you are going to Abingdon on the port side. If I remember it was quite pricey and the chap who ran it said they may not continue this season.

Can't remember what it was called

 

[Chris_d]

I had to pick up some petrol in Abingdon last year as we were low. It's a petrol pump standing by itself by the river just below Abingdon if you are going to Abingdon on the port side. If I remember it was quite pricey and the chap who ran it said they may not continue this season.

Can't remember what it was called

Its Redline Outboard Services.

 

[sturmvogel190a]

Pubs um... the Plough at Long Wittenham is worth a look go up the old course of the river where it splits before Clifton lock and there are moorings at the end of the Pub garden [dissclaimer not sure of depth face ] above Osney there are a few good Pubs but not sure if you are low enough to get under?? .
Maestro we are undertaking our annual trip to Lechlade from the 16th June and will most likely stop at Cliffton to eat at the Barley mow if you fancy saying hello over a pint but we are narrow boatists so you may spontaniously combust lol ,welcome to the forum Steve.

 

[russ]

We also used them last year. Yes very pricey but the only one we could find at the time and we were very low on fuel. I hope they don't close as this may stop us going that far up river again. I believe they are called Red Line Outboard Services.

 

[Sulley]

Its Redline Outboard Services.

Ah yes!

I spoke to the chap and he said that the health and safety costs were getting so ridiculous that it really wasn't worthwhile any more. This was July last year so hopefully they will still be open.

It may have been pricey but I was extremley happy to see it at the time! I have learnt to make sure I have enough fuel when I leave my marina!!

 

[russ]

Which Marina would be the last petrol supplier going up river?

 

[Steve Clayton]

On the petrol thing going north from Wallingford then if you moor up above Benson Lock at the end of the caravan pitches on starboard then it's an easy walk to the BP station on the A4074. Apart from those others mentioned then it's probably Oxford Cruisers just below Pinkhill; although mooring up before Oseney Lock and there is a petrol station about 20 mins walk.

There is a petrol station on the A40 due north of Eynsham lock - maybe 30mins walk but Oxford Cruisers is only a couple of miles upstream.

After Pinkhill then it's probably Lechlade.

In today's age then get your android phone out and use the appropriate app to identify petrol stations close to the river

 

[Sulley]

Hi Russ,

I refuse to carry petrol from petrol stations etc! Apart from the one in Abingdon I think the last one is Hobbs In Henley for petrol. Oxford Cruisers only do diesel.

I know if I fill up at my home marina I would have enough to comfortably get me to Abingdon and back and with a good amount to spare.

I can take 386 litres, I would have though you were similar??