Mike Todd Posted November 13, 2019 Report Share Posted November 13, 2019 (edited) Just about beginning to think about where we might venture next year! Can anyone say when it is optimum to try to visit the Basingstoke, in terms of avoiding seasons when it is more likely to be unavailable? Edited November 13, 2019 by Mike Todd Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nightwatch Posted November 13, 2019 Report Share Posted November 13, 2019 One low bridge stopped us venturing earlier his year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alway Swilby Posted November 13, 2019 Report Share Posted November 13, 2019 There's likely to be more water earlier in the season. We were on the Wey in the second half of July this year and they closed the Basingstoke just as we rang up to book it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike on the Wey Posted November 13, 2019 Report Share Posted November 13, 2019 The Basy is lovely. Spring would be best I think - more water, and fewer leaves around the prop. The first part up to Woking is like boating through porridge in some pounds, but the reward is the upper section. Mytchett and above is the best part, with only one lock, one manual bridge and one electric bridge in 15 miles. Last time we were there the ranger set all the locks for us, and let us leave locks full with exit gates open - very easy. (They caulk the gates after passage to prevent water loss.) We did it in a week, but two weeks would be really nice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tony Brooks Posted November 13, 2019 Report Share Posted November 13, 2019 WE did it in May-June time and the pound with the really low bridge was 50mm down then but we goi to the end. Very pretty, especially with the rhodies and irises. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dreamer Posted November 13, 2019 Report Share Posted November 13, 2019 22 minutes ago, Mike Todd said: Just about beginning to think about where we might venture next year! Can anyone say when it is optimum to try to visit the Basingstoke, in terms of avoiding seasons when it is more likely to be unavailable? The Basingstoke has always had water issues, hence why it was never commercially viable. Clearly early in the season is likely to be better, but I would never count on it. Also worth noting, that the always close the lower section, so the last thing you would want is to get stuck on it. All that said, we are looking to attempt it next year too. Thanks to my father in law, and use of his boat, it was where we cut our cruising teeth! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark99 Posted November 13, 2019 Report Share Posted November 13, 2019 (edited) Spring. May is perfect. The stretch above the lowest bridge is stunning. 5.9" airdraft. Strip down the roof. Edited November 13, 2019 by mark99 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sueb Posted November 13, 2019 Report Share Posted November 13, 2019 We did it many years ago in the autumn. It was very noisy as the boat was bombarded with nuts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike on the Wey Posted November 13, 2019 Report Share Posted November 13, 2019 1 hour ago, The Dreamer said: Also worth noting, that the always close the lower section, so the last thing you would want is to get stuck on it. Apart from drastic unexpected water loss, they are able to give sufficient notice to allow visiting boats to leave. They monitor water levels diligently, and with the experience they have are able to predict (fairly accurately and with several days' notice) the day on which - in the absence of significant rain - they will have to close the Deepcut and Brookwood flights. (The Woodham flight has back-pumping, possibly the St John's flight too.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alway Swilby Posted November 13, 2019 Report Share Posted November 13, 2019 Slightly off topic but worth considering at the planning stage is that the Wey is closed above Guildford due to a collapsed weir. I don't know how long it is expected to be shut for. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Adams Posted November 13, 2019 Report Share Posted November 13, 2019 The Basingstoke Canal is closed in Woking until the end of March 2020. If it opens on time then April/May is a good time to visit. If it is a hot and dry Spring/Summer expect the water to run out in June/July. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark99 Posted November 14, 2019 Report Share Posted November 14, 2019 (edited) When you get to the end of canal, get on the floor and look under the little bridge feeding clear water into the canal - a chalk stream ala--- River Whitewater. In each of the 4 little tunnels, will be a fat trout just inside. I'd bet a fiver on it. Edited November 14, 2019 by mark99 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Leo No2 Posted November 14, 2019 Report Share Posted November 14, 2019 18 minutes ago, mark99 said: When you get to the end of canal, get on the floor and look under the little bridge feeding clear water into the canal - a chalk stream ala--- River Whitewater. In each of the 4 little tunnels, will be a fat trout just inside. I'd bet a fiver on it. Sorry but the Whitewater doesn't feed the canal - it never has done and I doubt it ever will - it would be wonderful if it did and it would resolve all the Basingstoke water supply issues but there is no possibility of extraction of water there. It is always full of trout though...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike Todd Posted November 14, 2019 Author Report Share Posted November 14, 2019 Thanks for the responses, most helpful. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ditchcrawler Posted November 14, 2019 Report Share Posted November 14, 2019 This was my last trip up the Basingstoke Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dreamer Posted November 14, 2019 Report Share Posted November 14, 2019 5 minutes ago, ditchcrawler said: This was my last trip up the Basingstoke When and where was this. I am fairly sure that in 40 years of living in that area, that I never saw that many boats in one place, at one time, on that canal! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ditchcrawler Posted November 14, 2019 Report Share Posted November 14, 2019 51 minutes ago, The Dreamer said: When and where was this. I am fairly sure that in 40 years of living in that area, that I never saw that many boats in one place, at one time, on that canal! 28 May 2006 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dreamer Posted November 14, 2019 Report Share Posted November 14, 2019 4 minutes ago, ditchcrawler said: 28 May 2006 I’m guessing it was at Frimley Lodge Park? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ditchcrawler Posted November 14, 2019 Report Share Posted November 14, 2019 33 minutes ago, The Dreamer said: I’m guessing it was at Frimley Lodge Park? That I cant recall off the top of my head. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ditchcrawler Posted November 14, 2019 Report Share Posted November 14, 2019 39 minutes ago, The Dreamer said: I’m guessing it was at Frimley Lodge Park? IWA Campaign Rally. Brookwood 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mark99 Posted November 14, 2019 Report Share Posted November 14, 2019 13 hours ago, Leo No2 said: Sorry but the Whitewater doesn't feed the canal - it never has done and I doubt it ever will - it would be wonderful if it did and it would resolve all the Basingstoke water supply issues but there is no possibility of extraction of water there. It is always full of trout though...... Thanks. You are right. It is culverted under the Basingstoke at the Castle in that location but the trout will be there! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim Lewis Posted November 15, 2019 Report Share Posted November 15, 2019 (edited) The Basingstoke is a delight and you will struggle to find a nicer flight of locks than Deepcut. As others have said it it probably best done earlier in the season. Spent a day or on it in July this year and it was being closed behind us through water shortages. A few pictures: https://www.facebook.com/tim.lewis.3950178/media_set?set=a.10156228337037341&type=3 Edited November 15, 2019 by Tim Lewis Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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