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Post by kris on Sept 4, 2016 5:33:19 GMT
I stopped at Reading for shopping but I wanted to bosh on a bit because I only have a 7 day Thames licence (which was £43) and that only gives me one spare day to get to Oxford and back onto CRT waters, the cheeky cunts will charge me another £23 if I am a day over my licence expiry date... Everything on the Thames seems to be expensive, I saw red diesel at a couple of places today at £1.40+ a litre. What worries me, is the fact that crt would like to model the canals on what can be screwed out of folks on the Thames. I suppose your next cruise stop will be to abbingdon? That's the reality that a lot of boaters like to ignore and the fact is when crt take over the ea waters the door will be wide open for them to integrate the two systems.
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Post by naughtyfox on Sept 4, 2016 7:53:59 GMT
"there are "no mooring" signs everywhere and the impression I get is that I'm not really welcome anywhere I can be seen from a wealthy person's bedroom window."
Just tell 'em you're a Refugee and they'll let you moor for free and invite you in for a bath. Looking at all those mansions and ostentatious flirting of wealth - and from whence have they acquired it - by honest and morally correct means? (doubtful!) - just shows that Britain is indeed awash with dosh.
Still, that's Human Society. The stupid and honest remain poor, the clever and wicked ride on the sweat of the poor. And they are protected by their henchmen.
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Post by naughtyfox on Sept 4, 2016 8:06:25 GMT
PaulG2: "Gawd how I would love to do something terrifying. I'm so f'ing bored with life in general."
I guess it depends how old you are and how wealthy, but how about walking the Pennine Way? That's what I have in mind to do when I retire, taking a couple of months over it rather than the standard 3 weeks rush. Time to enjoy the Pennines in September-October. Borrowing a narrowboat is another idea, but that's been presented to you already. Three weeks ago we watched the movie 'A Walk in the Woods' based on the book by Bill Bryson, two elderly men set off along the Appalachian Trail. Now, that's a bit extreme, and probably boring, as you're mostly walking in the woods all day, unlike the Pennine Way (or Coast-to-Coast Path) it doesn't come down and go through towns, villages, beside canals and past pubs.
A simple thing to do would be to walk along the canal towpaths of Britain, backpacking slowly with a tent. That's enough to keep you occupied for a couple of years at least! Or, cycling round Britain? Good bikes and tents on Ebay.
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Post by naughtyfox on Sept 4, 2016 8:11:03 GMT
"Gawd how I would love to do something terrifying." Of course, you could always pop round to your local mosque, and unwrap a bacon sandwich
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Post by Deleted on Sept 4, 2016 8:49:24 GMT
I used to get diesel opposite Tesco in the boatyard at caversham. I reckon you've missed most of the 48hr moorings owing to your time schedule. What worries me, is the fact that crt would like to model the canals on what can be screwed out of folks on the Thames. I suppose your next cruise stop will be to abbingdon? Diesel isn't a problem, I'm well over 3/4 full because I read it was best to do the tidal Thames with a full tank so I filled up at Rickmansworth and filled a 20l container which I topped up with at Limehouse, I was just surprised at the prices because I normally pay about 60p a litre for diesel. I reckon I should be somewhere near Abingdon tomorrow, any recommendations? As Jenlyn said, there are moorings to the left as you approach Abingdon. There are also some 5 day free moorings on the right and left near the main bridge. Are you coming up the South Oxford canal after that, or doing a stint up to Lechlade? We're heading up the Oxford towards Braunston this week having just done the Upper Thames.
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Post by Mr Stabby on Sept 4, 2016 14:17:40 GMT
Diesel isn't a problem, I'm well over 3/4 full because I read it was best to do the tidal Thames with a full tank so I filled up at Rickmansworth and filled a 20l container which I topped up with at Limehouse, I was just surprised at the prices because I normally pay about 60p a litre for diesel. I reckon I should be somewhere near Abingdon tomorrow, any recommendations? As Jenlyn said, there are moorings to the left as you approach Abingdon. There are also some 5 day free moorings on the right and left near the main bridge. Are you coming up the South Oxford canal after that, or doing a stint up to Lechlade? We're heading up the Oxford towards Braunston this week having just done the Upper Thames. Yes, I'm on the moorings on the right just after Abingdon Bridge at the moment. I was going to go a bit further but it seems nice here so I've pulled up. I'll be heading up the South Oxford next and back towards my mooring which should take about a week.
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Post by Saltysplash on Sept 4, 2016 14:41:40 GMT
A great trip and glad you enjoyed the Tidal bit. It still amazes me how the river changes after Lambeth Bridge once you get past the trip boats
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Post by naughtyfox on Sept 4, 2016 16:45:45 GMT
Have u been up the South Oxford before? What comes to my mind quickly is: Thrupp - water point and Elsan point. The Boat Inn not really so great, and other pub too 'modern & classy' Lower Heyford - bridge low Upper Heyford - nice pub Heyford Common - enchanting, a good overnight stopping place for the view of woodland to the west Aynho pub Great Western Arms - nice (mind the bridge at Aynho - lower on the eastern side) Banbury - Ye Olde Reindeer pub - good beers, nice pub / B&Q-Homebase near canal Banbury - 2 water taps, Elsan disposal Opposite Forge Farm (Greg's place/Clattercote Wharf) - nice parking spot Wormleighton bend - great views to the north, you'll be high up with Napton Locks still to come
The locks going up on the Southern Oxford are really viscious, the boat will go backwards and forwards like a bucking donkey. We learned to do just one paddle two clicks and be patient. Even when the water in the lock is half-way up it is still not safe to open even one paddle fully - the boat will still suddenly rush forwards and smack that front gate hard. But you can do the old trick of leaving the boat in forwards gear with the nose pressed up against the rubbing board.
The Southern Oxford is a lovely canal. If you have time in Oxford, the famous view of the Dreaming Spires is from South Park.
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Post by Mr Stabby on Sept 4, 2016 16:56:10 GMT
Not done South Oxford yet, thanks for the tips. I am always careful opening lock paddles when single handing, especially since the only problem I have ever had with Desiree was when she got away from me going up a lock on the T & M single-handing and clouted the front gate in the early days, this cased the calorifier (which wasn't secured down but is now) to move forward which pulled off the pipes from the cooling system. Luckily I keep a close eye on all the gauges because she started to overheat as the coolant drained away, and equally luckily she has a bund fitted beneath the kitchen and adjacent wet room so it didn't go into the bilge.
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Post by naughtyfox on Sept 4, 2016 18:26:34 GMT
Southern Oxford is MtB territory! You have been warned
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Post by kris on Sept 4, 2016 18:33:14 GMT
Southern Oxford is MtB territory! You have been warned Have you met him foxy
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Post by Deleted on Sept 4, 2016 18:37:18 GMT
Southern Oxford is MtB territory! You have been warned He reminds me of a "tick". Waiting in the undergrowth to cling to you when you brush past.
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Post by kris on Sept 4, 2016 18:40:11 GMT
I thought he was on the k&a or is that just winter?
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Post by naughtyfox on Sept 4, 2016 18:59:40 GMT
Southern Oxford is MtB territory! You have been warned Have you met him foxy No, but he was somewhat helpful in Canalworld a couple of years ago - can't remember in what exactly. On New Year's Eve 2014 as we chugged through Enslow I took about 10 photos of his boat and sent them to him through a Google Photos link (or was it Picasweb in those days...). I never say anything bad about him as I don't know him, and, he seems to be OK. I may be wrong!!
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Post by Mr Stabby on Nov 2, 2016 19:12:11 GMT
Time for a quick update, I think I've settled on next year's plan, which is a trip from our mooring at Stretton Stop (near Rugby) to Skipton via Standedge Tunnel and the Pennine Ring, then back down to London via the GU and another trip along the tidal Thames, we enjoyed it so much the last time.
Then, if time and funds permit, along the Kennett and Avon to Bristol before heading back to Stretton Stop via Oxford. I reckon this might take me six months and I'll set off as soon as the Winter stoppages are over. In the meantime, alas, I need to work to build up funds- I absolutely hate it.
If you see me on my trip, say hello!
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