What to expect

[BarryH]

Well I got the head back from the engineering shop. Two new exhaust valves, all the seats recut, and all valves lapped in, head skim new gaskets and loads of spanner twiddlin' later. It only bluddy runs, started first turn of the key and sits there and purrs at me. All I've got to do now is keep it running.

So this weekend going out in company with a mate, just to make sure alls well and it'll be ok for IOW and the RYA do at the end of the month. Now seeing as he lives in the depths of Kent and I live in Surrey, the common ground seems to be the Medway! I've never really hung around there long enough to see whats worth looking at. Whose been there, got any local knowledge, suggest any decent watering holes. Now I've got to drag the boat round the M25/M20 down to Gillingham Pier to launch. Any one got any idea what its like?

All replies taken with the obligatory pinch of salt. Cos I know what your like!!

Mmmmm. When you break it. You break it big time!!

 

[oldgit]

Short trip could be turn right for Stangate Creek(lots of small quiet inlets to explore but rising tide only)or on to Queenborough.Small pub at top of causeway.Almost opppsite Radio Caroline then poss round corner to sheppey bridge to larf at antics of speed boaters/ jet skiers.
Or maybe go left towards centre of Rochester for Dockyard and Upnor Castle or Rochester Castle n Cathedral.If time allows VERY VERY careful/slow trip up to Allington lock and Malta Inn.Most piers have a pub of some sort at the top of em but I would not be inclined to leave anything worth pinching lying on boat.
Ps Longreach can be bit lumpy in speedy boat with falling tide agin eastly wind if you have nervous or lady passengers aboad when going to Queenborough.Local tide late after noon on SAT.give me a message if you want anymore info

Exercise is bunk.If you are healthy,you do not need it;if you are sick you should not take it.

 

[Canboria]

Probably better off using Gillingham Strand, (just up the road past the Ford dealer turn left by the Gas Works) last time I was at Gillingham Pier they were putting in a lot of new piles either side of the slip way and it was closed, as I live on St Mary's Island I will have a look later today and see if the pier is now usable.

As for watering holes, if you have the boat on the car try the Ship & Trades has a (big car park) just before you go over the bridge to St Mary's Island.

 

[Canboria]

Now been down to Gillingham Pier, all the works appear to have been completed and the slipway has been improved.

If you are coming from the M25 turn off onto the A2, take the A2 head towards Dover, take the A289 about a mile before the M2 starts just by the road works, that will take you onto the new Medway towns by pass, go through the Medway tunnel Gillingham Pier is about a mile the other side of the tunnel, it should only take about 10 mins from turning of the A2 onto the A289

 

[BarryH]

I'll be coming up Detling Hill!!! Should make the Range Rover work a little bit with 2 ton hang off the back.

I've only ever been once before, when my mate moved over there. The slip seemed pretty grotty then. Have they moved all the crap at the top of the slip and what have they been piling for?

What do you mean I cant get the credit?? They're onl spark plugs!!

 

[Canboria]

The slipway is now clear of rubbish, the slipway surface has also been improved, large round metal piles have been installed either side of the slip at equal distance apart inclined towards the slip about 10 feet high, not sure what the purpose is, perhaps to strengthen the slipway seems a bit over kill. One pile has been set at the end of the slipway dead centre, shouldn't be a problem to motor round it.

They have also installed a floating pontoon to the right unfortunately the access is via a locked gate.