cornishdave

Hi all, Just planning our trip around the Thames ring, and having never been that way before was hoping for any advice on moorings... Having used the canal planner our section on the river is coming out with the overnight stops something like the list below, can anyone advise on what the moorings are like and normal (yeah I realise this year is anything but!) availability given that we'll be on the river in the last week of August? Any info on pubs also greatly appreciated We don't mind paying a reasonable overnight fee for a mooring that's nice/safe/near facilities or pub - it is a holiday after all ? First night - somewhere around Godstowe bridge Second night - somewhere near Benson lock Third night - Poplar Eyot Fourth night - Firework Ait Fifth night - Teddington lock (pretty much have to be here overnight for the early start to catch the tide - plenty of mooring available from the looks of Google earth?) Many thanks Dave

It does, beautifully explained thanks.

Ah. My original plan was for 07:00, but was hoping to push it a bit later - turns out that wasn't early enough ?. Glad I asked though I didn't mention originally but this is a hire boat - spoken to the boatyard already about this and that's all ok (but obviously I will be checking before setting off) Yeah I've been looking at various sites and videos to scope out that turn. When would you recommend one starts turning, when level with the entrance to Brentford Dock Marina? Many thanks for all the advice Dave

Sorry if I'm being a bit slow, but as the slot is 07:15 that would mean arrive at Teddington at 05:15 which is 2 hours before high tide?

Thanks all, this is very helpful. I'm looking at the 28th Aug, which gives high tide LB 05:15 GMT (so if I'm right 07:15 BST at Teddington). CRT passage booking has 07:15 as the time slot (if you select the correct direction first) - given high tide is at 07:15 would I be correct in assuming the passage booking time slot is arrival at Teddington and not Brentford (if going downstream)?

Hi all, I realise this has been covered before so apologies for going over old ground but I just wanted to make sure I've got it straight... Planning a trip on the Thames ring in August and am thinking about the tidal part - high tide at London Bridge is around 05:00 GMT, so allowing an hour for BST and another hour for the tide to get to Teddington that means I should be looking to go through Teddington lock around 07:00 which will get us to Brentford around 09:00. Do I have that right? If so a follow up question - 07:00 is a little early (?), how far can one push these timings? Cheers Dave

Sorry, half asleep - you wanted the Four Counties not Warwickshire! As it happens my suggestion still stands as Napton have a second base which is on the Four Counties at Autherley Junction (albeit with a slightly smaller fleet so a little less choice) Dave

You could take a look at Napton Narrowboats (based at Napton unsurprisingly, and perfect location for several types including the Warwickshire ring). A number of their boats (at least the Elite class, possibly others) have a couple of king size cross beds which is as big as you'll get on a hire boat. Dave

I think we were moored just behind that guy on Saturday night/Sunday morning when you came to his rescue. He'd just bought the boat with 5 friends as a project - they were meant to be moving it towards Bath but his mates had dropped out one by one leaving him solo having never driven a boat and an engine he couldn't start - he wasn't loving the boating life at the time! He was certainly pleased to meet you

They were super cute and friendly. Almost embarrassed to admit that an hour later we were coincidentally having bacon sandwiches for lunch ?

We had some unlikely but friendly company today while working the lock

I am thanks, all very helpful and interesting. I'm also impressed with your mecanno contraption - it reminds me of the stereo mount I cobbled together in my very first car using the same materials Cheers

Hi, I'm wondering if anyone can recommend a specific 4g router/Wi-Fi hotspot device, ideally one that will runs on battery and also will take an external antenna? Or failing that, does sticking one to a window get over the Faraday cage problem of being in a metal tube? Cheers Dave

When we went in October last year they were usable but very shallow. I resorted to using a pole to prod down to find the deepest one. From memory the ones on the left end (when looking from the tow path) were better

Excellent, thanks - hadn't realised there were indicators for the Severn at Hanbury, that's perfect ? We'll be going via Droitwich - assuming we can fit under the M5 ? Thanks again

Hi, We're doing the Stourport ring clockwise in a couple of weeks time so just watching the levels out of interest (I realise plenty can change in a short time!). Been looking at the Severn levels which seem to be 0.97 at Bridgnorth and 1.03 at Worcester now - obviously I'll keep an eye on these as we're heading towards the river but would appreciate some advice... What sort of level would you suggest a hire boater with a decent amount of experience (on canals, this would be pretty much our first river) should have second thoughts at and consider turning around? I reckon Hanbury junction is probably my decision point time-wise. Cheers Dave

When I ran the original through canalplan I did it via Worcester, but looking now there doesn't seem a massive difference in time or no of locks between the two options. Would you consider one way much nicer than the other?

Basically simple good (preferably homemade rather than chain restaurant if you know what I mean) traditional pub grub, not looking for gastro really. Cheers

Thanks both, that's really helpful. I'll take a look at your comments with my Nicholson's later... As for crew, there's 6 of us and get into a pretty good rhythm on locks etc. (did the Four Counties Ring last year and Warwickshire Ring the previous year). Thanks again

Hi all. Just booked for a week on the Stourport Ring in August starting from Autherley Junction, and as you've all been really helpful before it's time for my annual 'does this make sense' itinerary sanity check (please) ? For various reasons our preference is to do this clockwise, but as I don't want to stop at the top of the Wolverhampton flight we're taking a small detour on the first evening and will start in earnest on the following morning. The plan below was initially made up before the Covid situation so is based primarily around stopping near pubs where possible (obviously the pubs may or may not be open when we go ?) Currently looking like this: Day 1 (start around 3pm) - Autherley to The Anchor at Cross Green (having gone past and winded maybe at Hatherton Junction) Day 2 - Somewhere near the Black Country Museum (prob walk to a pub as I don't think the Bottle & Glass is open in evenings) Day 3 - Alvechurch (Weighbridge or Crown) Day 4 - Hanbury Junction (Eagle & Sun, or possible go a little further to the Fir Tree). Appreciate this a a long day! Day 5 - Holt Lock (the Wharf or Holt Fleet hotel) Day 6 - Kinver (seem to be a few choices here - happy for suggestions) Day 7 - Compton Lock (either the excellent chippy or a couple of pubs) Day 8 - quick 45 minutes back to boatyard Does this all seem about right? Cheers Dave

We went last year (did it in a week with longish days). If you do find you're not going to get to the Harecastle in time you can always stop about an hour earlier near Red Bull/the Macclesfield aqueduct which was fairly quiet & pleasant (and the pub wasn't bad either!)

I've just checked, and it looks like it took us around 4.5 hours - left the boatyard around 3pm and arrived at the Cross Keys at 7.30pm. (It was summer though so no problem with light).

No problem. In fairness it wasn't actually that busy. Certainly when moving we saw remarkably few people on the move, it was just the Saturday & Sunday evenings in the particularly busy pub/mooring sports that we noticed a lack of moorings

Well we made it round safe and sound. Quick (ish) summary for those that asked... Saturday: pick up boat at Autherley, travel to Penkridge. Stopped at the first mooring available (it was busy) and ate in the Cross Keys (nice food and cheap). (approx 10 miles, 5 locks). Sunday: Penkridge to Stone. Again very busy so stopped at first available spot which was before planned (i.e. before Stone bottom lock/Star lock). nearest pub was some distance and wasn't doing food so ate on board, (approx 19 miles and 10 locks) Monday: Early start so we would make the tunnel - Stone to Red Bull. Be aware we left around 08:30 and made it to the tunnel with 5 minutes to spare (last northbound passage was 16:00). Ate at Red Bull - plenty of mooring space in the vicinity. Lovely home made pies and cheap. Best to phone ahead though as they were turning people away who hadn't booked (possibly they wanted to finish food early cos of bank holiday) Approx 15 miles and 16 locks. Tuesday: Red Bull to Middlewich. Moored above Maureen's lock having done the tricky turn onto the Middlewich Branch (70-footer took a few goes at getting round). Plenty of moorings. Ate in town at the Narrowboat gastropub good curries and slightly more expensive but not too bad. Approx 11 miles and 27 locks Wednesday: Middlewich to Audlem. Moored right outside the Shroppie Fly but (on advice of others we'd met) ate at the Lord Combermere. Very good food, slightly pricey but well worth it. 20Approx 20 miles and 11 locks Thursday: Audlem to Norbury junction. Moored in last available spot before the junction but appeared to be more after it. Ate in the Junction Inn, again good pub food and average pricing. Approx 17 miles and 21 locks Friday: Norbury Junction to Compton (having passed the starting point). Went down the first two Compton locks then turned and went back up them, mooring just above the top lock - plenty of space. Chippy for dinner as advised, very good but be prepared for a long queue as it's v popular (Peps Place). Approx 19 miles and 5 locks Saturday: a quick 45-60 minute trip back to the base with no locks (apart from the 6 inch stop lock at the base itself). All in all a fantastic (but rather energetic) week again with no disasters and only one grumpy person met all week. A few 8.5 hour days but nothing outrageous. Now planning next year (possibly the Avon Ring!) ?

To follow up, just gone through and it's all fine now ?