Dodging stoppages

[IdealStandard]

Ok, I need some advice on stoppages/flooding.

 

I am in the Bristol Harbour and stuck there due to Hanham lock being silted up. It has been this way since December and was supposed to be cleared by Easter at the latest. I asked the Hanham lock keeper today and he said it may be another two weeks. Further to this is the dreaded Thames, that has been on red boards for some time.

 

I start a job on 22nd April in London.

 

Is it in any way feasible to expect to be able to make the journey? Given that if Hanham lock is cleared when suggested, it will be the 10th April and would only leave 12 days to make the journey.

 

Canalplan says that if i put in 8 hour days, it is possible in 10 days. I will put in as many hours as needed and cruise into the evening if necessary. However, this is completely ignoring the Thames.

 

Funnily enough my first week of work will be training back in Bristol and I could always stay with friends and cruise at weekends.

 

So what is the likelihood that I will be able to get past the Thames (I will cruise on red boards if it's not too hairy) before then?

 

Should I just get road transport and make things easy for myself?

[bottle]

Ok, I need some advice on stoppages/flooding.

 

I am in the Bristol Harbour and stuck there due to Hanham lock being silted up. It has been this way since December and was supposed to be cleared by Easter at the latest. I asked the Hanham lock keeper today and he said it may be another two weeks. Further to this is the dreaded Thames, that has been on red boards for some time.

 

I start a job on 22nd April in London.

 

Is it in any way feasible to expect to be able to make the journey? Given that if Hanham lock is cleared when suggested, it will be the 10th April and would only leave 12 days to make the journey.

 

Canalplan says that if i put in 8 hour days, it is possible in 10 days. I will put in as many hours as needed and cruise into the evening if necessary.

 

So far so good.

 

Then it all goes wrong

 

However, this is completely ignoring the Thames.

 

Ignore the Thames at your peril

 

Funnily enough my first week of work will be training back in Bristol and I could always stay with friends and cruise at weekends.

 

Possible

 

So what is the likelihood that I will be able to get past the Thames (I will cruise on red boards if it's not too hairy) before then?

 

Apart from your insurance being almost certainly invalid, I do not think you can cruise on red boards as the Thames locks are locked. Stand to be corrected on that though

 

Should I just get road transport and make things easy for myself?

 

Yes, if you can afford it, will not be cheap, crane at both ends and a lorry in-between....no hold on do you mean for you and not the boat.

[IdealStandard]

I think you're right. Ignoring the Thames completely would be difficult.

 

I have navigated on red boards between Oxford and Reading. Insurance was void and it was a bit hairy, but I just MTFU.

 

I can't afford it, at all, but the idea of trying to start a new full time job whilst sleeping on floors and cruising my boat up at weekends could be really hard work.

[Grace and Favour]

I think you're right. Ignoring the Thames completely would be difficult.

 

I have navigated on red boards between Oxford and Reading. Insurance was void and it was a bit hairy, but I just MTFU.

 

I can't afford it, at all, but the idea of trying to start a new full time job whilst sleeping on floors and cruising my boat up at weekends could be really hard work.

 

How about sleeping on floors, and having a boat mover get the boat from Brissle to London then? (when conditions allow)

[IdealStandard]

How about sleeping on floors, and having a boat mover get the boat from Brissle to London then? (when conditions allow)

 

Do professional boat movers exist or do you mean get a friend to do it?

 

What jumps to mind is trusting someone else to navigate my boat. The engine has had overheating problems and I know that I would keep a VERY close eye on everything, something someone else might not do. There is also the issue of insurance and whatnot.

 

Also would it be that much cheaper? Paying someone for 10 days of their time and maybe insurance on top sounds like it could easily add up to the price of road transport.

[Grace and Favour]

Do professional boat movers exist or do you mean get a friend to do it?

 

What jumps to mind is trusting someone else to navigate my boat. The engine has had overheating problems and I know that I would keep a VERY close eye on everything, something someone else might not do. There is also the issue of insurance and whatnot.

 

Also would it be that much cheaper? Paying someone for 10 days of their time and maybe insurance on top sounds like it could easily add up to the price of road transport.

 

Oh professional boat movers DO exist (there's two (at least) on this forum, Matty40's and Nigel Carton

 

You could always ask them for a quotation......

[IdealStandard]

Oh professional boat movers DO exist (there's two (at least) on this forum, Matty40's and Nigel Carton

 

You could always ask them for a quotation......

 

I shall do so d'rectly.

[Trix]

Once past devizes you could catch train to work as the line runs next to.the canal , I have been commuting to London since December whilst edging up the k&a , waiting at many stoppages on the way, the Thames still looks like a no no for me at the moment , I use a motorcycle and my commute is now just 30 miles . It's possible but has eaten my savings . If it was me I would get up to the Thames and then commute until you can get on it , oh wait that is me.

[IdealStandard]

Once past devizes you could catch train to work as the line runs next to.the canal , I have been commuting to London since December whilst edging up the k&a , waiting at many stoppages on the way, the Thames still looks like a no no for me at the moment , I use a motorcycle and my commute is now just 30 miles . It's possible but has eaten my savings . If it was me I would get up to the Thames and then commute until you can get on it , oh wait that is me.

 

Sounds like the only option really. Has it been knackering?

 

I spoke to the lock keeper again and Hanham should be open late next week. If it's not then I'm going back over the weir on the 10th. At worst this gives me 12 days (I'll be solo) so I should be able to make Reading at least.

 

If the Thames is looking navigable when I have to start work I will pay someone and if not I will wait it out and then finish at weekends.