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Post by rockdodger on Jul 15, 2016 7:47:52 GMT
Starting to plan next years holiday early.
Is it possible to do the "Grand Ring" in 2 weeks hiring from Gayton or Rugby, or would that be pushing it too much?
I accept that conditions are unpredictable and could be significantly different by next summer.
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Post by Telemachus on Jul 15, 2016 9:40:06 GMT
What's the "grand ring"?
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Post by Mr Stabby on Jul 15, 2016 9:53:27 GMT
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Post by rockdodger on Jul 15, 2016 10:45:47 GMT
Yes that's the one, Grand union canal into London (down to Limehouse), back up to Brentford, on the Thames to Reading, Oxford and then the South Oxford canal back towards Rugby / Gayton.
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Post by Telemachus on Jul 15, 2016 11:03:43 GMT
Sounds a lot for 2 weeks to me, especially going to Limehouse. You are likely to waste some time awaiting tides. A 2 week hire is in effect 13 days, canalplan is putting it at 18 days at 8 hrs per day. Of course it is possible to do it, but it would likely require 11 hour days every day. It is supposed to be a holiday!
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Post by rockdodger on Jul 15, 2016 11:28:22 GMT
Thanks so it would mean breaking it up into 2 different & separate trips, or taking 3 weeks then?
I take it there isn't (currently) any issues with PLA (for example) with taking a hire NB onto that section of the Thames - I recollect a couple of years ago after an incident they were frowned upon, if not banned from the lower sections of the river.
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Post by Telemachus on Jul 15, 2016 12:00:17 GMT
Thanks so it would mean breaking it up into 2 different & separate trips, or taking 3 weeks then? I take it there isn't (currently) any issues with PLA (for example) with taking a hire NB onto that section of the Thames - I recollect a couple of years ago after an incident they were frowned upon, if not banned from the lower sections of the river. Oh yes, I think there is a problem for hire boats between limehouse and Brentford. Best to check. You could always shorten it a bit by going straight for the Thames at Brentford. |
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Post by peterboat on Jul 15, 2016 13:05:24 GMT
I did it some years ago in my owns boat lots to do and see so I think 5 -6 weeks to enjoy it
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Post by JohnV on Jul 16, 2016 9:54:12 GMT
Not a trip I have ever done (in fact have never been on the Oxford ...... one day perhaps) Occasionally I have done some very long runs over a short time period (single handing) and found it very enjoyable ..... not racing but starting very early and not finishing till late. Just trying to keep a steady smooth pace. I found it very satisfying when you got it right, with total economy of effort. (off season of course  ) |
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Post by naughtyfox on Jul 16, 2016 13:50:53 GMT
Downhill, if locks are full and you go fast enough, you can actually jump over them. That'll save some time.
Also, tying the tiller to 2 pieces of string will make sure the boat keeps going straightish whilst you sleep.
You'll not miss photos either if you have the camera mounted and on 'interval shooting'.
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Post by rockdodger on Jul 16, 2016 21:08:15 GMT
Thanks for the input. Going on the above I will need to save a lot more shekels to do this in one go, or split the idea up into 2 or more smaller trips.
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Post by Saltysplash on Jul 18, 2016 7:28:43 GMT
If you want to do it in 2 weeks then do it anti-clockwise and get back on the GU at Brentford.
Last time I did it was 7 years ago and had 3 weeks going clockwise. We had taken 3 weeks as we also intended to do the Wey but due to strong river flows on the Thames we spent a full week just getting to Oxford sometimes only making 2 kts against the flow.
Even turned up late at Abingdon for a BBQ with Bones and Maffi.
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