Kris Cruising On The Thames

[YnysMon]

5 hours ago, OldBerkshireBoy said:

That would be the elderly lady that lives in the house on the top of the hill and who keeps, or did keep a blooming big cannon trained on the dividing bridge that Broads01 went under shortly after collecting their boat.

Is she anticipating the next invasion or our shores?

[OldBerkshireBoy]

4 minutes ago, YnysMon said:

Is she anticipating the next invasion or our shores?

If we go way back in time that is exactly why the cannon was placed where it is overlooking the Home Park.

[BroadAmbition]

Cracking thread this.  Enjoying it very much.  I can't ever remember being on the non tidal Thames but now thinking I'd quite like to. Wonder if I could get 'B.A' there for a fortnight or so?

Mind you I did get her to Barns Elm Reach, moored to a buoy overnight, that's about the closest I have been

Griff

 

[Broads01]

14 hours ago, Vaughan said:

But on the Thames, the reason is different - shoreside property prices.  You just cannot afford to run a boatyard on such hugely expensive land.  In Kris Cruisers' case, you can't do much else with that particular plot, so they have managed to survive.

Excellent historical insight as always, Vaughan, thank you.

[Broads01]

22 minutes ago, BroadAmbition said:

Cracking thread this.  Enjoying it very much.  I can't ever remember being on the non tidal Thames but now thinking I'd quite like to. Wonder if I could get 'B.A' there for a fortnight or so?

Go for it. You'd need at least a fortnight to go all the way to Lechlade. Twenty years ago when Natalia was just two years old, my ex and I hired from Cotswold Boat Hire at Lechlade (still around but a little downstream now) for 16 nights and went all the way to Teddington and back. It was a fabulous trip I'm unlikely to repeat.

[NeilB]

11 hours ago, RS2021 said:

I believe the land from which Kris Cruisers operate is owned by the elderly lady who lives on the opposite bank.

Yes it does, managed by the Crown Estates.

[Broads01]

Wednesday 15th June

We set off from Henley and continued upstream, straight in to Marsh Lock and onwards towards Shiplake. The Shiplake section is another lovely one, full of tree-laden islands with the navigation channel passing both sides. We were intending to possibly reach Goring-on-Thames for the night but the lock keeper at Sonning kindly warned us the moorings there are currently closed (for maintenance that was supposed to complete in March!) and gave us some alternatives. Just before Reading we took the opportunity to stop for water at a boatyard/ chandlery place. I walked in to the shop to check the water tap was for drinking. I was greeted by a voice from a hidden person:

"Hello".

"Oh hi, just checking the water tap is drinking water". 

"Yes. Is that all you wanted?

"Yes"

"Are you on a hire boat?" (snooty voice).

"Yes"

"We are not a water point! (Funny that, I'm thinking, there's a water tap outside, water facilities published and no notice to the contrary) But seeing as you're here you might as well take it."

"Thank you very much".

Mmm, not the friendliest. Some time and another dribbly fill up later we were done.

It was properly hot by now and having quickly passed through Caversham lock we pulled over near Fry's Island for a refreshment break. The boat had been performing fine except the battery light had decided to stay on so I phoned Kris Cruisers to check out the issue. Having established over the phone it needed a call out, they kindly enlisted the help of an engineer from Caversham Boat Services, a positive response I didn't expect. The engineer attended in around 15 minutes and established the alternator had packed up. Had they had the right one on stock he would have fitted it also but as they didn't I soon received a call from Kris Cruisers and one of their engineers attended an hour later. He agreed it was an alternator issue even though the boat had received a brand new alternator the day we collected it! He swapped out the alternator and we were soon good to go again, albeit later than anticipated. He even apologised for our inconvenience so excellent service all round.

It was good to be underway again and we left Reading and through Mapledurham lock. We finished up at Pangbourne meadow. I've moored there several times over the years but it seemed more overgrown than I remembered it, so although there's plenty of length the places where you can moor and actually disembark without brambles and nettles were few and far between. Nevertheless we squeezed in to a spot between two trees and having done so it was only a few yards walk to a wide mown section which Suzie enjoyed.

 

[Broads01]

[Captain]

Hi,

Excellent trip update as usual. What a shame you couldn't moor at Goring, that's a lovely free mooring and location with Goring and Streatley being easily accessible. I was there in April on Lady Keeleigh and couldn't see any major issues,  strange how they would wait until mid season to repair perhaps it is covid or staff related.  

We found water points fewer than before, my old guide suggested most locks had them whereas now it appears to be occasional and the pressure just passed Abingdon was very low. Glad Kris cruisers fit electronic water gauges and decent sized tanks so we needed fewer fill ups. They really are a good yard, very friendly and helpful even gave us Easter eggs. We had to do all the traditional engine checks which made a change as many Broads yards don't want you to go near the engine bay, didn't have any issues with the boat although one morning the very powerful heating system wouldn't start without starting the engine, suggesting the batteries were passed their best as we had done several hours cruising the day before. We couldn't complain as they has told us to start the engine before starting the heating. The boat  was immaculate with proper carpets and soft furnishings and wood throughout which I like rather than the minimalist look which some yards are going for. Had a full sized cooker, decent fridge and a microwave which wasn't listed although I don't tend to use although worktop space was minimal I believe your Pearl 38 is much better in that respect, Keeleigh is a more compact boat built by Worsley craft in 1986 as confirmed by a plaque next to the dash.

Looking forward to the rest of your tale.

Neil 

[Cal]

We never did manage to get NC to the Thames. Somewhere we will definitely have to hire I think.

Unfortunately Kris Cruisers don't seem to have a great deal of choice in pet friendly boats with a Saturday start. Most of them are their elite range boats that don't allow pets :(

[ChrisB]

18 hours ago, BroadAmbition said:

Cracking thread this.  Enjoying it very much.  I can't ever remember being on the non tidal Thames but now thinking I'd quite like to. Wonder if I could get 'B.A' there for a fortnight or so?

Mind you I did get her to Barns Elm Reach, moored to a buoy overnight, that's about the closest I have been

Griff

 

You are too late for this year. But I am sure that you would love "Henley Traditional Boat Festival" and then cruise onwards to Lechlade.

The Thames "Potter" is "Osney" but because of the locks and sluices at this time of year they can maintain 2.28m or around 7'6".  So you can add an "Astern" transit to your tally.

[Broads01]

8 hours ago, Captain said:

Excellent trip update as usual. What a shame you couldn't moor at Goring, that's a lovely free mooring and location with Goring and Streatley being easily accessible. I was there in April on Lady Keeleigh and couldn't see any major issues,  strange how they would wait until mid season to repair perhaps it is covid or staff related.  

Very kind of you to say, Neil. We actually moored at Goring last night downstream of the closed moorings, squeezing in by the weeds. I missed taking a photo unfortunately. 

[ChrisB]

3 hours ago, Cal said:

We never did manage to get NC to the Thames. Somewhere we will definitely have to hire I think.

Unfortunately Kris Cruisers don't seem to have a great deal of choice in pet friendly boats with a Saturday start. Most of them are their elite range boats that don't allow pets :(

There is boat hire at Caversham and Benson but I think Benson sold out to Le Boat.

Not a recommendation as I have been away so many years.

[Broads01]

3 hours ago, ChrisB said:

There is boat hire at Caversham and Benson but I think Benson sold out to Le Boat.

Yes Le Boat are at Benson and Chertsey. Also at Benson there's a small operation called Bygone Boating who specialise in wooden craft.

[Broads01]

Thursday 16th June

The temperature increased another notch today, which, being our 3rd full day of the week, was to continue upstream in the morning and then return downwards later. We could have turned earlier and had time to explore downstream of Windsor but the river higher up is prettier in my view. Whitchurch lock is scenically pretty as it divides an island in two. The stretch beyond, the so called Goring Gap, is lovely all the way to Goring Lock and beyond. Goring Lock was closely followed by Cleeve Lock where the lock keeper kindly helped us pull in at the water point. The majority of lock keepers are friendly and helpful although as with anywhere in life there are exceptions. There was no wait for the water tap but nevertheless the garden-style tap and hose (provided by Kris Cruiser) took half an hour even though we've been careful with water use. Eventually we were able to move on begin the longest lock-free stretch on the non-tidal Thames, something over six miles. In the heat of the middle of the day it made a pleasant change. We intended to stop at Wallingford but unfortunately the limited moorings there were taken so we continued a short way and through Benson Lock and stopped at Le Boat boatyard. I checked it was OK to moor there for some lunch and we enjoyed the Riverside cafe on their veranda. I was surprised how many boats weren't on hire and weren't going out on the day - nine locked up by my reckoning. Later we mad the reverse trip back downstream except for overnight this time we found a spot at Goring-on-Thames, not far down from the closed moorings. 

 

[Broads01]

[Captain]

Glad you managed to get in at Goring after all. Shame you couldn't get in at Wallingford, a  lovely little town. We moored on the right hand side under the bridge coming from Windsor which I hadn't realised were public moorings in the past. Looked to be about 4 moorings on the left and 6 on the right depending on size of craft. Abingdon a little further on had the largest free moorings and back at Henley probably the most moorings overall.

Very few Le boat boats appeared to be out around Easter and I wasn't impressed with the external appearance of many of the boats at what was the start of the season  several looked tired with rubbing strips hanging off suggesting they hadn't had the usual end of season overhaul. Bygone boating were however immaculate including a 1965 Johnson yacht station Anglia class cruiser and believe they are adding a 50s Moorhen shortly. Which will bring the number of these beautiful woodies on hire to two with Eastwood Whelpton having one at Upton. 

Enjoy the rest of your stay 

Neil 

[Popeye]

Broads 01:

Thanks for the lovely photos, they brought back many happy memories. In my younger days I was frequently on the upper Thames and loved every minute of it. A friend and I took the boat up there for two weeks and we spent every day in weather such as is now with our fishing gear. We always found a quiet spot to moor up overnight and the barbeque was out like a flash as was the fishing gear.

There was no shower on the boat so every day we jumped into the lovely clear water with a bar of soap for a refreshing scrub down. Usually on the barbeque there was something with bones in it and there was always spare savoury rice left over. We chucked this over the side and it made excellent ground bait and we caught some excellent fish, my mate always knocked the spots off me as to the size of the fish he caught. No doubt the eels stripped the bones clean. Funnily enough we never caught any eels, I am always catching them on the Broads.

Happy days!  

[Broads01]

 Friday 17th June

We knew today was to be the really hot one and sure enough that's how it turned out. We continued our long return journey downstream and eventually towards Reading. There a huge number of liveaboard craft on the Thames on almost all stretches of the river but near Reading more than anywhere. It makes me wonder are the Environment Agency collecting tolls from all these users? We made a pitstop at Caversham Boat Services just for water which this time took five minutes thanks to the pressure available. Not long after Caversham Lock there's a large Tesco which has a path between the car park and some moorings and we made good use to stock up. When we set off again it felt like there were youngsters swimming in the river around every corner. The majority were just enjoying themselves but why is there always one who shouts "Can I have a lift from your boat"? We opted to return to Henley-on-Thames again but this time go below the bridge. However the lock keeper at Marsh Lock warned us the Women's Regatta is in full swing and we might struggle to find a spot down there. Instead we spotted a space almost at the far upstream end of the moorings we'd used previously and that suited us fine. We even had some trees for much needed shade. The short walk over the long footbridge towards Marsh Lock was well worth doing. There are warm evenings and there are hot ones. We ended up keeping the roof open until almost 9pm to keep as cool as we could.

 

[Broads01]

[Popeye]

Here is a photo of Lechlade taken from the river. Its a pretty little town built in Cotswold stone. On my last visit I think I counted five pubs and two excellent chippies and an excellent grocery/off licence. The photo shows the grounds of The Red Lion, an historic coaching inn. Mooring there is free for customers.

[Broads01]

Saturday 18th June

Continuing this morning we approached the Women's Regatta in full swing. I smiled as we approached the point just below the bridge where the regatta lanes start because the lane for general river traffic is pushed as far to the left as they can get away with - you can see who has priority around here! It was a gentle, pleasant cruise around to Hambleden lock and then not long afterwards, shock, horror - it started raining. It meant we had to wind the roof up - however would we cope with such humiliation? Being serious, it wasn't an issue at all and made a refreshing change after all the heat. We continued to the Hurley water tap where we'd spent so long on Tuesday and there was time there while we filled up for me to give Suzie her second walk of the day (she always has one before we set off in the morning). The lock keeper informed us that the following lock (Temple) was unmanned all day so with the rain coming down we took the opportunity to pull in again just after Hurley lock and have some food. For the uninitiated, Thames locks are manned between 9am and 6pm at this time of year although outside those hours or if the lock keeper is away you have the option to operate the lock yourself by means of a straight forward button press operation. As it happened at Temple, there was a boat ahead of us in the lock whose crew were perfectly happy playing lock keeper and with more boats waiting to come up we had to press no buttons ourselves - I was a bit disappointed! We passed straight through Marlow and it's lock this time around as we had decided to overnight at Cookham. There we discovered the Broads doesn't have the monopoly on moored boats taking up far more than their fair share of mooring space and hence we couldn't moor where the mooring rings were closest to the village. Nevertheless we found a lovely spot on the grassy area further up and I walked to the village with Suzie from there. It's a pretty place with old buildings and unusually, a classic car dealer in the middle of the village. The pubs looked tempting but I resisted the urge this time around.

 

 

[Broads01]

[Broads01]

Sunday 19th June

Today was our last full day with a plan to head for Windsor for our last night. The sun was back and stayed with us for the day. I seem to be going through a prolonged phase of remarkable luck as far as boating weather is concerned - this is the 5th successive trip where I've had almost all fine weather. We set off for the lovely Cookham lock and once more through Cliveden Reach, Boulter's Lock and Maidenhead. We'd thought perhaps we'd see increased river traffic over the weekend but it wasn't exactly a St Benet's or a Horning. In fact, I think reaching Bray lock it was the first time in the day we actually had to wait a few minutes for the oncoming boats to emerge because prior to that the locks had been free for us. We continued on through Boveney lock and to Windsor where we moored around lunchtime on the Eton side for its view of the castle. We could have just stayed the night but instead we decided to later head to the boatyard just for water and then a short cruise before returning. Romney lock was a busier one and then after the water stop we enjoyed the views of Home Park a little further before turning round just above Old Windsor lock to make our return. Our overnight spot was close to where we had been at lunchtime and then we had a short walk across the bridge for a lovely evening meal at The Boatman.

 

[Broads01]