vanboosh Posted April 16, 2021 Report Share Posted April 16, 2021 We've got a 'big' cruise from Droitwich to Surbiton coming up and Canalplan suggests we take the GU, but if I adjust it so it goes down the Oxford, it takes more or less the same amount of time. Any advantage/disadvantage for picking one over the other? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Phoenix_V Posted April 16, 2021 Report Share Posted April 16, 2021 easier locks nicer pubs (if open) on Oxford 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john6767 Posted April 16, 2021 Report Share Posted April 16, 2021 Surprised that it wants you to go the GU, I would have thought that the Oxford would be quicker and less locks. Having just tried Droitwich Spa Marina to Hampton Court moorings, canal plan sends me via the Oxford by default, 189 miles and 182 locks. To go via the GU it is 158 miles and 215 locks. So less distance the GU route but more locks. Obviously the time it predicts will depend on your settings, for me the Oxford is 99.5 hours and the GU is 106 hours. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Alway Swilby Posted April 16, 2021 Report Share Posted April 16, 2021 If you have a standard CRT licence you have to pay extra to go on the Thames. About 70 quid for a week. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matty40s Posted April 17, 2021 Report Share Posted April 17, 2021 GU is harder work with the big double locks, via Oxford gives you easy single locks and Thames locks operated for you. Depends on crew size and ability I suppose. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john6767 Posted April 17, 2021 Report Share Posted April 17, 2021 Also if this is a one way trip, then pick the one you prefer, for me it would be the Oxford route. A weeks Thames licence would be enough if it is about speed getting there. If you will be returning, you you way as well do down one way and back the other. Going the Oxford means you are down stream on the Thames, which makes the locks easier unless your lassoing skills are excellent. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarkH2159 Posted April 17, 2021 Report Share Posted April 17, 2021 9 hours ago, Alway Swilby said: If you have a standard CRT licence you have to pay extra to go on the Thames. About 70 quid for a week. Correct. I made the passage last week from Oxford to the K&A via Isis Lock where it states that you have to buy your EA licence from the next manned lock. For my 56 ft it is £49.50 for the one day licence which expires at mdnight next day so you can get more than 24 hrs out of it. The OP would need a week licence which is indeed £70. As for the 'next manned lock' - we never saw one ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrsmelly Posted April 17, 2021 Report Share Posted April 17, 2021 In a nutshell the Oxford is fabulous and the GU a crap hole. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldGoat Posted April 17, 2021 Report Share Posted April 17, 2021 49 minutes ago, mrsmelly said: In a nutshell the Oxford is fabulous and the GU a crap hole. As always Mr. Smelly is direct and to the point - if mebe a bit overstated. Going downhill on the Thames is like a dose of salts... You'll easily go at 6mph wihout trying. Tle locks are easy and electric - if there's no lockie RTFM (if some scrote hasn't ripped them off the pedestal and the scenery (who looks at the scenery??) is pleasant. Doing the GU means that you have to back on yourself for a day (half on the GU and half on the Thames) Hope you've got a mooring is Sunny Surbiton 'cos the bankside is somewhat constipated and official moorings are managed by a rapacious car parking outfit that can't be bothered to mark their moorings properly on what passes for a map.... 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Philip Posted April 17, 2021 Report Share Posted April 17, 2021 How long does it take to go from Oxford to Brentford, single-handed? My plan for the first 'big' trip of the new boat is to go down the Oxford, then across the Thames and back up the Grand Union. I don't think the GU is anything like a crap-hole; very pleasant surroundings for much of the route, and the scenery between Berkhamsted and Stoke Hammond, then from Wolverton through to Braunston is super in many places. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john6767 Posted April 17, 2021 Report Share Posted April 17, 2021 9 hours ago, OldGoat said: As always Mr. Smelly is direct and to the point - if mebe a bit overstated. Going downhill on the Thames is like a dose of salts... You'll easily go at 6mph wihout trying. Tle locks are easy and electric - if there's no lockie RTFM (if some scrote hasn't ripped them off the pedestal and the scenery (who looks at the scenery??) is pleasant. Doing the GU means that you have to back on yourself for a day (half on the GU and half on the Thames) Hope you've got a mooring is Sunny Surbiton 'cos the bankside is somewhat constipated and official moorings are managed by a rapacious car parking outfit that can't be bothered to mark their moorings properly on what passes for a map.... I think you meant 5 mph, 6 mph would be over the speed limit ? 3 hours ago, Philip said: How long does it take to go from Oxford to Brentford, single-handed? My plan for the first 'big' trip of the new boat is to go down the Oxford, then across the Thames and back up the Grand Union. I don't think the GU is anything like a crap-hole; very pleasant surroundings for much of the route, and the scenery between Berkhamsted and Stoke Hammond, then from Wolverton through to Braunston is super in many places. Just use canalplan to get your timings, but bear in mind you could loose a day at Teddington waiting for the tide, which canalplan will not take account of. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pearley Posted April 18, 2021 Report Share Posted April 18, 2021 On 17/04/2021 at 08:48, MarkH2159 said: As for the 'next manned lock' - we never saw one That explains why none of them answer the phone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Detling Posted April 18, 2021 Report Share Posted April 18, 2021 GU you will probably be lock sharing most of the time if you move between 8 am and 1pm. Not many swing bridges or lift bridges unlike the Oxford which is famous for them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john6767 Posted April 18, 2021 Report Share Posted April 18, 2021 2 minutes ago, Detling said: GU you will probably be lock sharing most of the time if you move between 8 am and 1pm. Not many swing bridges or lift bridges unlike the Oxford which is famous for them. There are no swing bridges on the Oxford. At the moment I think there are 2 electric lift bridges that you need to operate (if you go Dukes cut to the Thames, and why wouldn’t you), so hardly a deciding factor of which route to go! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David Mack Posted April 18, 2021 Report Share Posted April 18, 2021 And at least two manual swing bridges on the GU route. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheBiscuits Posted April 18, 2021 Report Share Posted April 18, 2021 3 hours ago, Detling said: Not many swing bridges or lift bridges unlike the Oxford which is famous for them. There's allegedly a document explaining how to do them singlehanded ... I wonder if it got found when the boat in question was cleared out before it was sold? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
matty40s Posted April 18, 2021 Report Share Posted April 18, 2021 1 hour ago, TheBiscuits said: There's allegedly a document explaining how to do them singlehanded ... I wonder if it got found when the boat in question was cleared out before it was sold? Document.....it was a 138 page Tome, perhaps the new owner of the yoghurt pot will publish it now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cuthound Posted April 19, 2021 Report Share Posted April 19, 2021 19 hours ago, TheBiscuits said: There's allegedly a document explaining how to do them singlehanded ... I wonder if it got found when the boat in question was cleared out before it was sold? I wonder if she is working on one that motor-homers can use to operate road bridges? ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
vanboosh Posted April 20, 2021 Author Report Share Posted April 20, 2021 So from all the replies (thanks everyone!), it looks like we will be going the Oxford route! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mrsmelly Posted April 20, 2021 Report Share Posted April 20, 2021 32 minutes ago, vanboosh said: So from all the replies (thanks everyone!), it looks like we will be going the Oxford route! Very wise choice. Stop at the pig place on your way for an awesome breakfast and or a few beers ? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TheBiscuits Posted April 20, 2021 Report Share Posted April 20, 2021 33 minutes ago, mrsmelly said: Very wise choice. Stop at the pig place on your way for an awesome breakfast and or a few beers ? A few beers usually improve breakfast - ask at any Wetherspoons for details! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Athy Posted April 20, 2021 Report Share Posted April 20, 2021 5 minutes ago, TheBiscuits said: A few beers usually improve breakfast - ask at any Wetherspoons for details! Surely they can't sell beer until 10.30 or 11 o'clock, in accordance with local licensing laws> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
George and Dragon Posted April 20, 2021 Report Share Posted April 20, 2021 Just now, Athy said: Surely they can't sell beer until 10.30 or 11 o'clock, in accordance with local licensing laws> They can't sell beer outside local permitted hours but those were liberalised by the Bliar governement. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john6767 Posted April 20, 2021 Report Share Posted April 20, 2021 1 minute ago, Athy said: Surely they can't sell beer until 10.30 or 11 o'clock, in accordance with local licensing laws> I don’t know what the rules are in different places, but I think most Wetherspoons start selling alcohol at 9am. The one at Merry Hill certainly does as we went in for breakfast at 8am when they open, and they were very apologetic as they could not sell alcohol until 9am. Come 9am when we left it was busy with people drinking. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldGoat Posted April 20, 2021 Report Share Posted April 20, 2021 The Oxford trip is great - come off at Duke's Cut - rather than going down to the city centre (that trip is a bit dreich) and you'll get a fab view of some of the city as you roar down Port Meadow. The first Thames lock is 'proper' with balance beams, all the rest are 'lectric with push buttons. Do RTFM if operating them your selves. Be friendly to the Lockies - they don't bite and most know a lot about the River and their locality. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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