oldgit
Well-known member
HW 10.30 at Allington lock. Saturday.
07.30 , the "plan" is to go up, park in the lock cut and watch the fireworks display at the Kent Life centre .
An overnight stay and return on the Sunday tide.
Normally lots of boats gather in the area.
Still raining.
Then rumours of floods in Maidstone Town centre.
Contact lock and advised to ring at 07.00 on Saturday pre deaprture to check situation.
Dinner in clubhouse and stay aboard on Friday night, discover that the new to me boat eberspacher refuses to operate at anything less than full blast.
07.00 Saturday.
A fine drizzle.
Steve at the lock gives the info that the river is on Red Boards and that he has already got 1.5m of water outside the lock.
We decide to go up and have look at the airdraft under Aylesford Bridge and will decide from there.
Take down all moveable airdraft inc jack staff.
Very little to suggest that the river is anything other than normal than very coloured and remarkably clear of debris.
Only real sign is about 1 -1.5 metres more water than normal at that state of tide.
Make the bridge with about 20 mins worth of height left.
Only above bridge does the incoming tide flow slow and actually reverse just before lock.
Lock in no problem.
Feel quite pleased with myself until a elderly Steel Pedro with probably a 50hp engine, nonchalantly later locks in and procceds up stream.
Moor in lock cut and then wander over to the barrier.
It stopped raining.
Area was packed with locals come to view and the display was well worth the trouble.
Sunday AM.
As soon as sufficient water over the lower gate cill its a smart and somewhat speedy departure back down to the bridge and under before its to late.
Of course , starts to rain in buckets as we approach our moorings. ?
Looking forward to next club event our Xmas Cruise.
A weekend cruise down to MDL Chatham.
7 boats so far including a refugee from ye Thames and his B****m
Waypoints available.
07.30 , the "plan" is to go up, park in the lock cut and watch the fireworks display at the Kent Life centre .
An overnight stay and return on the Sunday tide.
Normally lots of boats gather in the area.
Still raining.
Then rumours of floods in Maidstone Town centre.
Contact lock and advised to ring at 07.00 on Saturday pre deaprture to check situation.
Dinner in clubhouse and stay aboard on Friday night, discover that the new to me boat eberspacher refuses to operate at anything less than full blast.
07.00 Saturday.
A fine drizzle.
Steve at the lock gives the info that the river is on Red Boards and that he has already got 1.5m of water outside the lock.
We decide to go up and have look at the airdraft under Aylesford Bridge and will decide from there.
Take down all moveable airdraft inc jack staff.
Very little to suggest that the river is anything other than normal than very coloured and remarkably clear of debris.
Only real sign is about 1 -1.5 metres more water than normal at that state of tide.
Make the bridge with about 20 mins worth of height left.
Only above bridge does the incoming tide flow slow and actually reverse just before lock.
Lock in no problem.
Feel quite pleased with myself until a elderly Steel Pedro with probably a 50hp engine, nonchalantly later locks in and procceds up stream.
Moor in lock cut and then wander over to the barrier.
It stopped raining.
Area was packed with locals come to view and the display was well worth the trouble.
Sunday AM.
As soon as sufficient water over the lower gate cill its a smart and somewhat speedy departure back down to the bridge and under before its to late.
Of course , starts to rain in buckets as we approach our moorings. ?
Looking forward to next club event our Xmas Cruise.
A weekend cruise down to MDL Chatham.
7 boats so far including a refugee from ye Thames and his B****m
Waypoints available.
Last edited:
Deep joy.