Tim Lewis

For those interested I have posted a few pictures from last Saturdays St Pancras Cruising Club trip up the Thames Tideway here My thanks to Mike Askin for letting me join him. Enjoy Tim

We have had a couple and they were dealt with fairly and promptly. Michael sold out to Towergate Mardon but still acts for them. http://www.towergatemardon.co.uk Tim

The KESCRG Bahji stand was at Wendover this weekend gone. Agree that it is an excellent value stand and it is a major fund raiser but it does takes an incredible amount of effort and volunter hours to run. Tim

Why are they not speaking to their insurers who will know the experts in salvaging boats? Tim

From Mikron Web Site Fri 22nd May 7.30pm TOT C Napton Bridge Inn Southam Road, Napton, Southam, CV23 8NQ Food available 6pm – 9pm. Tel: 01926 812466 Millennium Sponsor: Braunston Marina Tim

Middle Level Drains Any bit of river with high banks, Severn, Great Ouse etc Tim

If I recall there is a by-law banning BBQ's in the Lee Valley Park except at designated BBQ sites, can't find the details though. Lots of information at: http://www.leevalleypark.org.uk/ Tim

Have done the trip loads of times but am still very jealous - had an invite but was on a WRG dig at the weekend. Good job it wasn't today, incredibly windy riverside. My car was being well rocked on the deck of the Woolwich ferry by the wind when I crossed over on it this afternoon. Tim

Not far enough Tim

Gunpowder mills is fascinating - it has its own canal system complete with locks and aqueducts! - unfortunately it has very restricted opening (weekends only during the summer and wednesdays during school holidays), details at : http://www.royalgunpowdermills.com/openingseason.htm Tim

Picture from 2002: Tim

I have moored outside the store, can't remember if we could get the trolloey to the boat but it's rare when boating to buy so much that two people can't carry in bags. Tim

Strewth - so many boats moored that its made the river sink on one side! Tim

Also a crap speeded up video of mine of the Salters Lode to Denver Sluice trip at: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0AZ0LHQjx24 Tim

The Bow Back Rivers were dredged a few years ago when they became non tidal, I was not aware that they needed dredging again, certainly not the last few times I have navigated them. There is only one lock at Bow now, there is hardly the demand for a second one!, Have used it a number of times without seeing it leaking I find it difficult to believe that they leak badly seeing that their are two pairs of gates at the downstram end. The Bow back rivers are remainder waterways which BW are under no obligation to restore although City Road lock has been restored using others money and now only awiats the installation of gate & paddle gear. Carpenters road lock is being built over by a temporary bridge which will be removed at the end of the games. The state of these waterways is no worse than when I first boated them 25 years ago and in many respects they arre considerably better. The lagacy from the games will be much improved system in what was a s**t hole of an area. Tim

There is athread about a missing cat in the area: http://www.canalworld.net/forums/index.php...springfield+cat Tim

Just had a stoppage alert saying that the Hertford Union is now open. Tim

The new Nicholson were launched this month so it will be another three years before they get in - by that time most restaurants have opened & closed three times! Tim

If the latest British Standard for solid fuel stoves goes through it could well be possible that installing one in a back cabin will be illegal! Tim

The proposed regulations have been open for consultation for some time and do not close until 6th May, I believe that commenting on the consultation is more klikely to be productive that signing a petition, details here. Tim

Its off the Grand Union at Harefield Tim

Link to useful guide: http://www.stpancrascc.co.uk/thames-cruising-guide.html Tim

When you get to Peterborough you are not on BW waters but on the River Nene which is controlled by the Environment Agency which you require a seperate license although in my experience I have never seen anyone checking licenses on the Nene!. You do not get to BW controlled water until you get to the Northampton arm at - Northampton. I do not believe that you cannot buy EA/BW licences at Peterborough or even at Northampton, I would seriously suggest that you get your BW license in advance. In the past your BW license gave you a couple of weeks reciprecal cruising on the Nene but I don't know if this is still the case. You can but a Gold license which covers both EA and BW waters but I doubt if this would be worth it unless you intend to spend longish periods on EA waters. The river Nene can flood but I have always found it a doddle. Don't forget that you will require an EA 'Abloy' key to operate the locks on the River Nene, you are also required to book in advance passage through Stanground Lock which gets you off the Middle Levels onto the River Nene, details here. Enjoy your trip Tim