Winter works programme 2017/18

boatone

boatone

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Just a few cables from Boulters Lock
www.tmba.org.uk
Listed below are the locks that will be closed during the 2017 to 2018 investment programme. The locks will be closed from the first date listed and re-open the day after the final date.
[TABLE="width: 712"]
[TR]
[TH]Location[/TH]
[TH]Date[/TH]
[TH]Work being carried out[/TH]
[TH]Canoe portage with care during closure[/TH]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Shifford Lock[/TD]
[TD]30 October 2017 to 16 January 2018[/TD]
[TD]Re-sheeting lock gates[/TD]
[TD]Yes[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Clifton Lock[/TD]
[TD]2 January 2018 to 23 March 2018[/TD]
[TD]Re-sheeting lock gates[/TD]
[TD]Yes[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Blakes Lock[/TD]
[TD]30 October 2017 to 23 March 2018[/TD]
[TD]Repairing and re-sheeting lock gates, refurbishing lock chamber walls, replacing rubbing timbers and general repairs to the lock site area[/TD]
[TD]No[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Bell Weir Lock[/TD]
[TD]30 October 2017 to 15 December 2017[/TD]
[TD]Replacing lock chamber rubbing timbers[/TD]
[TD]Yes[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Molesey Lock[/TD]
[TD]30 October 2017 to 1 January 2018[/TD]
[TD]Re-sheeting lock gates[/TD]
[TD]Yes[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Teddington Lock (barge)[/TD]
[TD]1 January 2018 to 23 March 2018[/TD]
[TD]Re-sheeting lock gates[/TD]
[TD]Yes[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]
Full notice here:
https://www.gov.uk/government/publi...iver-thames-investment-programme-2017-to-2018
 
Thanks for the above and the lock hours notice.
Hadn't noticed Molesey being closed over Christmas. Spoilt my thoughts on a Christmas cruise.
 
Seeing Bell Weir Lock listed there has reminded me of something thats always niggled me - several locks Bell Weir included have very little space between the top of the lock wall and the water level when the lock is full (Bell Weir is only a couple of inches at normal summer levels), this makes it awkward to fender off properly when using these locks.

I've always wondered why they haven't at some point build the lock walls up a bit higher in these locks. Obviously not going to happen now as no money in the pot but curious as to why it wasn't thought about in the past.
 
The simple solution would be to run the HW level at say +4" or less so as to drop the level when the chamber is full but there would be complaints from grounded boat owners and the boat yard just upstream.
 
Understand that running the reach at a slightly lower level likely isn't a good idea, which is why I've always thought it odd that the lock sides were only just high enough to cope with the water at is normal level.
 
"Seeing Bell Weir Lock listed there has reminded me of something thats always niggled me - several locks Bell Weir included have very little space between the top of the lock wall and the water level when the lock is full (Bell Weir is only a couple of inches at normal summer levels), this makes it awkward to fender off properly when using these locks."

The opposite lock to this is Clifton Hampden lock which only fills halfway up the lock wall. This normally catches me out, when sat on the back off the boat, as I am always just waiting for the water to keep rising. The other half normally yells at me to stop day dreaming as the lock gates where opened ages ago.

As a result we now call Clfton Hampden lock..

...Half Lock.

See if you can recognise any other locks from their nicknames:

Umbrella Lock
Chip Lock
Book Lock
Chavy Scum Lock
Hook Lock
Simon Lock
 
thamesS23 said:

See if you can recognise any other locks from their nicknames:

Umbrella Lock - Bray
Chip Lock - Mapledurham? Is that the one with the cafe and a nice smell of chips whenever we pass?
Book Lock - Can't name it from memory but its up around Days / Culham area?
Chavy Scum Lock - Chertsey or more likely Caversham?
Hook Lock - Penton Hook, or is that too obvious?
Simon Lock - Hambledon
Click to expand...
 
Umbrella Lock Temple - wrong
Chip Lock Mapledurham - correct
Book Lock Days - correct
Chavy Scum Lock Penton Hook ? - wrong
Hook Lock Culham - correct
Simon Lock Hambledon - correct

mapledurham we always stop on the way downstream after getting our pies at Greens in Pangbourne, and get some chips from the cafe there.
Days lock we always drop off any books we have bought over the year and read, so they can sell them off.
Culham lock, the lock keepers always reach down into the lock with their hooks to take your ropes (Boulters Lock take note).

 
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thamesS23 said:
Culham lock, the lock keepers always reach down into the lock with their hooks to take your ropes (Boulters Lock take note).
Click to expand...

Much to the annoyance of my crew, who looks forward to the annual challenge of trying to throw a line up to a bollard there, being as its the deepest lock we go through...me on the other hand, perfectly happy to receive the assistance of the hook.
 
The simple solution would be to run the HW level at say +4" or less so as to drop the

Dunno why you lot up there bother.
Go on be honest your all waiting for Elon Musk to perfect his top secret
AppleMac VirtualVessel. PAT Pending.
Delivered to your home within 24 hours.
Never actually have to go on a boat ever agin.
Just read through the 1000 page page manual and off you go.....
A 3 D virtual boat in your lounge, jump in the active seat put on the headset with SurroundSound headphones and IBALL goggles and off you go.

Enjoy the full video experience at every virtual Lock,staffed with at least 6 full time uniformed staff on hand at all times to compliment you on your skillful boat handling,which at no point involved a bowthruster.
Use your Blitz O -Kil forward cannon to clear other boats from you favourite mooring right outside the pub, or just enjoy taking out that boat that spilled your drink as it went past.
As for Slumboats......
Supply your your credit card details for the added authenticity of having large amounts of cash unexpectedly removed from your bank account and very little to show for it.
Comes complete with cold water jets to soak you to the skin just as you want the moor up and a clever sub routine that ensures vital stuff fails when you need it most
A beta programme is being trialled that sends grumpy posts to various forums bewailing how difficult life is on the Thames. No extra charge.(At the moment)
Enjoy.
To be continued. ? :) :)
 
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