Scholar Gypsy

Thames and Medway Canal is in Kent. The canal basin in Gravesend is still just about navigable, and there are few miles still in water between there and Higham

Just a plug for rope shackles to connect them to the roof fitting. I was converted to them last summer. I also have a large loop (about one metre circumference) spliced in the end. Very handy for dropping over a bollard (or around my waist if I want to pretend to be a bollard). And just short enough to not get tangled in the prop.

Reminds me of a trip I did on the tidal Thames a couple of years ago, moving a Collingwood widebeam. As we left the lock at South Dock (Bermondsey) I realised that the hydraulic steering had been connected back to front. Fortunately a rudder position indicator had been fitted, and did work properly .... https://scholargypsy.org.uk/2020/05/21/south-dock-to-milwall-dock/

For up to date information, including discussions with CRT, please see Trentlink on Facebook.

Not v relevant to the question, but there are some interesting walks. https://scholargypsy.org.uk/2019/05/11/caldon-and-uttoxeter-canals/

And in 2012 as well - we were worried about being able to get to London for the Jubilee Pageant!

One of the comments on the youtube page asked about insurance, and in reply the owner said her insurers were happy with this arrangement.

My inner Humprey would point out that the EA is a NDPB (non departmental public body) not a government department. My new year resolution is to be less pedantic, I am clearly doing well. More helpfully ... https://www.gov.uk/permission-work-on-river-flood-sea-defence

There's a little community in Waterbeach, just above the lock. An easy walk to the railway station. And a couple of marinas between Bottisham and Upware. I found it helpful to look at Google maps, which can be a good way of finding some of the out of the way places. Not sure there is then an alternative to getting out there on the ground! As @Pearley explains above, the Ely Ouse and Cam is not really a normal river system.

Looking at some other videos of this bridge, the deck seems to be lifted fairly late, as the boat is approaching. There is an obvious risk if the approaching boat is going too fast. I was struck, when going through some of the boat lifts in Belgium last year, by the very substantial fender bars that were lowered in place to protect the gates from an approaching barge. They were also instructed to approach the lift very slowly... This one is at Ronquieres. You can see it slots into the tank, a meter or two away from the gate. Note the missing portion of rubber strip ...

St Pancras Cruising Club are organising another of their regular Thames tideway trips on the weekend of 23-25th June 2023 (starting with a briefing session at Limehouse on the Friday evening). As well as the core voyage from Limehouse to Teddington or Brentford, the optional extras will include a voyage through the Thames barrier, and a downstream transit from Teddington to Limehouse. We particularly welcome those who have not yet done a trip on the tideway. There may also be a trip in September. To register your interest please email cruising@stpancrascc.co.uk as soon as possible, and we will send you further details.

Yers, a lot of water! Some of the stream goes down the Seacourt Stream which leavers the river above Kings Lock; some through the Castle Mill stream past Isis lock, and there is also a weir by the road bridge. https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@51.7556715,-1.2751725,15z Elton lock on the Nene has the landing stage above the weirs.

Here's the hydro scheme, and also (in the foreground) one of the weirs. This photo is looking upstream from just above the lock. https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@51.7494837,-1.2723469,3a,75y,310.9h,86.7t/data=!3m7!1e1!3m5!1sAF1QipN_02DvHH0i6PbUGgeIcXWmXr0UMKkdeBu4VRtt!2e10!3e11!7i5376!8i2688

I would certainly agree with leaving Teddington before High Water. Also worth adding that you need to book Thames Lock, Brentford, at least 48 hours in advance. You can do this on the CRT licencing website. They will normally expect you to arrive at or shortly after high water (which at Brentford and Teddington is 1 hour after London Bridge). The lock is now only operated HW-2 to HW+2, between the hours 0700 to 1900. This page includes some tips on how to spot the entrance to Brentford Creek. http://thamescruising.co.uk/?p=36

This seems like a good place to share this recent video...

This firm look quite helpful. Not used them myself (as I have a Mitsubishi not an Isuzu). https://www.enginesplus.co.uk/product-category/isuzu-canal-boat-engine-spares/

I have clambered ashore to untie all the ropes and collect the pins, push off the bows, and then realised that the stern line was still attached to the bank. My excuse was that I had broken my wrist the day before, and was just about to cruise to Peterborough in order to visit their A&E department.

Yes, several times in about 1974-76.

PS the photo above is of the disused Wilmington railway bridge, now a footpath. The next one upstream carries the railway to the docks.

Thanks, I was getting rather confused by the Wikipedia pages on bridges in Hull.. I think there are two adjacent bridges, one still in use. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/River_Hull#River_crossings

Here's the one on the River Hull, although I am not sure if trains still go over it. I believe the last regular commercial traffic along the Hull has just come to an end.

There is also a combined bridge at Queenborough, on the Swale.

Inverness, Selby, Goole, Hull, Boston, Norwich. Vazon is a sliding not a swing bridge. Sutton Bridge no longer carries a railway. Disused lift bridges at Keadby, Deptford Creek. Any more??

The Duke's cut was built by the Duke of Marlborough in 1789, not part of the Oxford canal I think. Built to link to Upper Thames and to Wolvercote Mill. Many years before the railway..

Yes, you are right. Even at weekends it was normally closed.