Is Cricklade navigable & worthwhile?

[Murflynn]

15 hours ago, Murflynn said:

Just returned from navigating the upper reaches.  Today I took my little yogurt pot as far as possible, until I was blocked by a fallen planked structure (mooring platform or bridge) just beyond a reedy creek where 2 vintage Freeman cruisers were moored under a wooden bridge carrying the Thames path.  On Google Earth it is 1.81km from the round tower as the crow flies.  A pity, because for a small handy boat this is the most enjoyable and unspoilt part of the river.  A powerful tug could probably dislodge the obstruction, I could push (rotate) it far enough to get through, but I was leery that the gate would close on me and I would be stuck there for all eternity.  I would guess that a 35ft boat could easily reach the location and then wind at the big bend just before the obstruction.  A longer boat, up to about 57ft, needs to wind at the wide pond just beyond St John the Baptist (look out for manicured gardens on the south bank and impressive weeping willows - the winding hole is just round the bend).

sorry, that should be 1.81 miles, or 2.91km.

[NJB Titan]

Mike Todd & others, please don't try and turn or nose into the entrance of the Thames & Severn Canal (next to the Roundhouse in pics above/near the broken concrete bridge footing (wall)) :) That's someone's home and garden, the banks are already being seriously broken down by wash/ramming boats. It's unfair to expect a homeowner to be disadvantaged by the proper winding point downstream having worsening shallows opposite.

 

The best place to turn is near Lechlade Marina above Ha'penny Bridge where the Thames is wide & deep. The shallows near the Roundhouse get worse every year and it's sometimes a more than daily event people get stuck there in season, even experienced boaters.

[john6767]

46 minutes ago, NJB Titan said:

Mike Todd & others, please don't try and turn or nose into the entrance of the Thames & Severn Canal (next to the Roundhouse in pics above/near the broken concrete bridge footing (wall)) That's someone's home and garden, the banks are already being seriously broken down by wash/ramming boats. It's unfair to expect a homeowner to be disadvantaged by the proper winding point downstream having worsening shallows opposite.

 

The best place to turn is near Lechlade Marina above Ha'penny Bridge where the Thames is wide & deep. The shallows near the Roundhouse get worse every year and it's sometimes a more than daily event people get stuck there in season, even experienced boaters.

That maybe true but the head of navigation for powered craft as defined by the navigation authority is I believe the Round House, so surely that is who you should be directing this to?

[NJB Titan]

@john6767. If you want to ignore people pointing out more considerate options of making life easy for yourself and also which won't damage someone's property, then I am sure neither anyone pointing it out nicely to you nor their "going to the authorities" will make a blind bit of difference.

 

IF EA states "the Round House" which you "believe", then I very much doubt they intended it as anything other than an extremely arbitrary description for the benefit of ease. The FACT is, the Round House is not on the Thames. Maybe you should contact the navigation authority to point this out! ?

 

So nit pick all you like but it is a boaters decision if to use the winding point, or if it is obstructed (as this one is), to use other points which won't disadvantage or inconvenience other people, of course if someone is "determined" enough then they'll try & turn wherever they please despite that. I suspect "most" boaters (95%), including I guess Mike Todd, others and definitely myself, would prefer not to upset other people or cause damage once they realise they potentially are or it's politely pointed out.... but not all. I'm just pointing out the really easy solution for anyone, which is available near the marina, one which doesn't risk you seriously running aground and/or damaging someone's property. 

 

The Winding point "near" the Round House (and you can naturally assume where EA expect you to consider the limit for large motorised craft) is near where the River Coln meets the Thames (that doesn't mean you can't try and go further as the OP is asking) but it is not in the entrance of the Thames & Severn Canal (which is not even part of "The Thames") and not up The River Coln (you'll definitely go aground there), but make of it what you will, I doubt anything anyone else politely points out to you will make any difference

[GUMPY]

1 hour ago, john6767 said:

That maybe true but the head of navigation for powered craft as defined by the navigation authority is I believe the Round House, so surely that is who you should be directing this to?

Actually no,  the head of navigation is Cricklade. The area around the roundhouse is a minor turning point for those that can't make it furthur

Edited September 2, 2018 by Loddon

[Mike Todd]

1 hour ago, john6767 said:

That maybe true but the head of navigation for powered craft as defined by the navigation authority is I believe the Round House, so surely that is who you should be directing this to?

Not sure why I get singled out as I referred to the place in the photo (the mouth of the (River Coln) which, unlike those who specifically refer to the Round House, is just a tad further back. I cefrtainly have no recollection of ever coming nywhere near to damaging anyone's bank or property.

 

I also note from Google Aerial View that there are quite a few boats upstream of the marina.

 

How does all of this interact with the restoration work taking place hereabouts?

 

Would I be right in thinking that there is a bit more to this story than NJB Titan is letting on?

[NJB Titan]

Sincere apologies Mike, I'm new to the forum & finding my way around. It was john6767 who said he turned there, and I mistakenly looked at his picture which you "quoted" so that's entirely my error  Hope no offence caused by my mistake.

 

The boats moored in the field may be permanent moorings but would face the same challenges as anyone in turning, but because they moor there they don't have the easy option.

 

I'm involved with the restoration of the Thames & Severn (and have been in many others), live locally & I know the area very well. I have also been boating since I was 4yo thanks to my parents 

Edited September 2, 2018 by NJB Titan

[john6767]

44 minutes ago, NJB Titan said:

@john6767. If you want to ignore people pointing out more considerate options of making life easy for yourself and also which won't damage someone's property, then I am sure neither anyone pointing it out nicely to you nor their "going to the authorities" will make a blind bit of difference.

 

IF EA states "the Round House" which you "believe", then I very much doubt they intended it as anything other than an extremely arbitrary description for the benefit of ease. The FACT is, the Round House is not on the Thames. Maybe you should contact the navigation authority to point this out! ?

 

So nit pick all you like but it is a boaters decision if to use the winding point, or if it is obstructed (as this one is), to use other points which won't disadvantage or inconvenience other people, of course if someone is "determined" enough then they'll try & turn wherever they please despite that. I suspect "most" boaters (95%), including I guess Mike Todd, others and definitely myself, would prefer not to upset other people or cause damage once they realise they potentially are or it's politely pointed out.... but not all. I'm just pointing out the really easy solution for anyone, which is available near the marina, one which doesn't risk you seriously running aground and/or damaging someone's property. 

 

The Winding point "near" the Round House (and you can naturally assume where EA expect you to consider the limit for large motorised craft) is near where the River Coln meets the Thames (that doesn't mean you can't try and go further as the OP is asking) but it is not in the entrance of the Thames & Severn Canal (which is not even part of "The Thames") and not up The River Coln (you'll definitely go aground there), but make of it what you will, I doubt anything anyone else politely points out to you will make any difference

I don't think there is any need to be rude.  The point being, how many of the boaters the use the upper Thames will read your post here.  If you believe there is a real issue then the EA are the only ones that can help, by restricting boat access to that area.

[NJB Titan]

The people who read your post will  & my post was in answer to that. I wasn't being rude, I just don't agree with you in your choice of turning point or for that matter, that raising it with EA would be more effective than suggesting easier options, that's all.

[Machpoint005]

If you are a "Binter*", it may be worth it.

If not, why worry?

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

* as in "binter there"

[john6767]

30 minutes ago, NJB Titan said:

The people who read your post will  & my post was in answer to that. I wasn't being rude, I just don't agree with you in your choice of turning point or for that matter, that raising it with EA would be more effective than suggesting easier options, that's all.

Then I think you are on the wrong track.  You will not get to your target this way at all and I dont think you will meet your objective of preventing boats going beyond the marina this way.  The EA are the only ones that can do that I would have thought.  Of course right now I would think the low water levels have done the job for you.

 

I am sure you are aware that the location in question is on of the IWA's silver propeller chalkenge locations, so they also seem to think it is somewhere boaters should be going.  

[Machpoint005]

1 minute ago, john6767 said:

the IWA's silver propeller chalkenge locations

Competition for Binters.

[john6767]

1 minute ago, Machpoint005 said:

Competition for Binters.

Yes it is, but isn't that the point 

[NJB Titan]

Oh my Lord, you said "you turn at X" which is not the winding point (fact) nor a considerate place to turn in my opinion, and certainly damaging to the soft bank.

 

People who read that will probably also read my post that gives my opinion, that this could be damaging and that it's not a considerate place to turn, plus hopefully be helped by my pointing out that there is a much easier option (as did others).

 

You then suggested I take it up with EA..... seriously?

 

There's no "objective". My point has nothing to do with IWA, you were simply incorrect in your interpretation of the winding point or at the very least, seemed to be advising people to turn where you did. I'm not trying to change the world here. If people want to run the risk of going aground to tick off a list, no problem. If people want to be inconsiderate that's their privilege and I'm sure life will return the favour to them. People will make their own choices, if they read it, they read it, if they don't, they don't. Good night.

Edited September 2, 2018 by NJB Titan

[GUMPY]

50ft winding hole here:

https://goo.gl/maps/fLwokHV5frJ2

For those that are brave enough