Dave123

This reads like you haven't actually experienced these locks in a bad state...Just heard about it second/third hand?

Exactly this! And one way youngsters have been drawn to the canals is as a cheaper way of life in places like London and Bath.

http://www.cravenherald.co.uk/news/16415490.farmer-accuses-canal-trust-of-letting-thousands-of-gallons-of-water-leak-onto-his-land-while-closing-canal-because-of-shortage-of-water/?ref=fbshr Saw this on facebook

This has worked for me so far - although I haven't been up hill in any of the deeper Thames locks.

I'm hoping they will do the map once the final list of stoppages is agreed on - I think it is still just the second draft at the moment? I am planning to spend the winter on the upper Lea and the Stort as neither have any stoppages planned, but the southern grand union is also a good route - a nice mix of villages/towns and rural spots with plenty of fuel boats

Single handing is great fun! Go for it! Only thing I can think to add to all the advice so far is to remember not to be too ambitious with how far you want to go when you are moving.

I agree. Have also learnt to stop stressing about a queue of boats, partly as I now live aboard and as a consequence no longer have demanding holiday cruising schedules. A queue now is just a chance to chatter, gongoozle/help with locks or make a drink!

Also overnight closures until further notice for Hanwell flight and the top of Regents and Hertford union canals

I had to stay a few days longer at Hampton court last year due to a breakdown and it was a hassle having to go and queue at the palace ticket office each morning for another ticket. But I also don't like this outsourcing to car parking agencies

I don't think there is plenty on the Thames (unless the rain on Sunday helped). The Thames harbourmaster Facebook page said summer boards on the weirs were going up and lockies were not to empty or fill locks without boats in wherever possible as flows very low...But the Thames won't shut will It...??

This is pretty extreme! Is there some history of people cutting off the chains they use to shut locks in these areas? Can't recall anything like this on any other canals when they have been closed for lack of water?

Reservoir levels were not too bad compared to historical low and the rest of the country. Google 'CRT reservoir watch'. The southern GU is faring much better however (90ish%) but the northern GU is much lower (around 60% if I remember rightly) so I'd say it depends on how quickly you want to make the journey and where you ultimately want to get to?

Yes there is always space at Teddington as it's a long stretch of bollards and you have to pay each night (no free first night like other EA moorings). You can stay 3 days at Hampton court though (first night free then £5 per night) or also plenty of spots in Kingston on either side of river.

If anything bad weather once autumn arrives, and myriad other factors, is likely to delay it? I'd be really surprised if it opened by October. Although it would be clever PR to deliberately exaggerate the length of time needed so they can make themselves look good by getting it done sooner!?

Please be advised Osterley lock no. 98 is closed below Hanwell flight due to a failure with the upper paddle. Customers are advised to change all cruising route and make use of available facilities at Norwood top lock/Brentford boaters facility. The lock will be re-opened on or before Friday 3rd August. You can view this notice and its map online here: https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/notice/13608/osterley-lock-98

Did they not get the rain over the weekend? Thought it was meant to be heaviest in the East?

Yes this is still there and free (and was always empty when I was in Henley for a couple of weeks last month). I think most boaters assume it's private as the sign is small and it's sandwiched by the pub and the trip boat moorings. And Yes the mill meadow moorings are free during the day as above...

Moored a couple of times by scout tunnel and that was fine. Very rural actually

Aha Thanks! I was looking on the town side. Didn't know you could walk over the river there.

Just to add if you are struggling at any point i have always found the lock keepers very knowledgeable about where boats tend to moor in their reaches.

At least they have moorings above lock 2 now. When we did it we had to overnight on the river pontoon and climb over a fence to get off and go anywhere! It is a beautiful canal but agree it's a shame they seem to have restored it with a view to preventing casual towpath mooring (rather like on much of the K&A)

Best moorings in sonning are below the lock on the right but you have to pay (money into the letterbox on the fence) but 2 good pubs in the village and you might spot George Clooney too! Both the big islands between sonning and Shiplake (hallsmead and the lynch) are popular free wild mooring spots as is the left hand bank behind them but be careful as it's outside the main channel. Also some free spots by shiplake college in the trees. Then wargrave (EA) and some free spots on the right opposite the islands before the left hand bend above Marsh lock. Henley is £8 per night in the park opposite Rod eyot/above the bridge or also £8 in temole meadows beyond bridge (either side but need pins, no rings here and further from town) and another nice spot run by the same guy before hambledon lock. Then the next one i know is Marlow as has been said above (although there is an EA free mooring below the lock as well as the main ones above). Apparently Bourne End has moorings but never spotted these (although didnt really try). Cookham is a lovely spot though, either in meadows or just before the bridge in the town but both have a charge. Next free spots are Cliveden deep, the islands or left hand bank. Also free spots by Boveney church on the left. Then free/wild spots become quite limited as it gets more built up/less rural. Runnymede is great as is laleham Abbey and the other EA mooring between Chertsey and Shepperton. Plenty of moorings at Shepperton and some on the backwater around Desborough island. Also moorings in Walton on Thames and at the start of sunbury lock cut. Then it's Hampton court and Kingston (either side of river) and lastly the bollards above Teddington lock! Happy to give more details on each if you want...not sure on what kind of moorings you most prefer! I love how everyone has a different priority like pub or rings or no neighbours!

Yes they put an update on it for July and recycled the older notice!

It doesn't help that signage about leaving Wootton Rivers locks empty is confusing. No sign on top lock to leave empty but couple of CRT bods there when I went through the other week said to leave it empty...and in general a lot of people miss the open paddle at the other end and so waste water accidentally trying to fill a lock left empty with a paddle up. I think you will be fine though as apparently Wilton water levels are ok.

For those that didn't get the email. Hopefully just due to leakage not bigger water supply issues... Kennet & Avon Canal Starts At: Lock 55, Crofton Top Lock Ends At: Lock 54, Cadley Lock Friday 29 June 2018 19:00 until further notice Type: Advice Reason: Water resources Update on 26/07/2018: The Levels on the summit pound have further dropped to -460mm. We now need to close the summit pound to allow levels to recover. The Summit pound will re-open at 10am on Saturday 28th July, subject to the levels having recovered sufficiently to allow safe navigation through the Bruce Tunnel A further update will be issued at 10am on Saturday 28th July