Thames - A Personal Notebook

] courtesy of Wikipedia.Thank you. (Please note the "sitter and muser").

There are many ways to get afloat. People have been doing just that for a very, very long time and quite probably, way back in time, confronted by the need to eat and with a barrier of water facing them there weren't many options.....Life was fairly straightforward... then.
Today, why would we want to do it? I don't have an answer for that. It may be childhood experiences, the "island nation" brainwashing but, something is triggered in some of us when the word "boat" is mentioned.
Maybe it just offers the ability to "sail off into the sunset" and escape the pressures of modern life.
I look at it in this fashion, for I am a fairly simple lad. Mention the word "boat" in a conversation with a mixed group. Some eyes will light up and some people will become negative. For me those who show interest are sailors and those who do not, are farmers and/or their parasites (of which there are layers ad infinitum). You will probably find that if you dig a little further that the 'sailors' will turn out to be more adventurous than the rest of the group. This is how it has appeared to me over the years. I have no foundation for these comments, it is just how it has always felt. Maybe some psychology student would like to take it up for their thesis.
Regardless of these inconclusive jottings it remains essential that before you embark on any project of this nature you should try to establish your real motives. For, rest assured that if it is your first attempt it will cost you more in time, effort and money than you ever bargained for and that, is a fact.

On a personal level you will need infinite patience, a thorough appreciation of the materials that you will be using, a feel for the tools that you will be working with and above all, a crystal-clear picture in your head of the finished product. It is assumed that finance is not for consideration (it is not a good idea to borrow - the pressure kills creativity).
So, a quick recap.
Can you, hand on heart, say that you have the patience? If you are of the box-ticking, must-have-it-now, "Absolutely amazing!" attitude then, go buy one. The initial expense may be greater but it will be less expensive than a disaster.
If you don't know, or are hazy about the materials that you will be working with, for wrong material, read - expensive mistake.
If you are a little rusty, regardless of the material that you are working in, it can help to take a refresher course in the winter or run up some test pieces to satisfy yourself.
Finally keep that picture clear in your head. It can help when you are trying to work out your construction sequence. (This only really applies if you are modifying "on the run", otherwise obviously, you would be working direct to drawings).

So, if that is all there is and your ducks are all in a row then, let's get on with it!

. Here are a few explanatory words on those links that I have added.
'The Thames' is obviously a huge subject and would require tremendous dedication to produce better than any one of those sites that are listed here. Moreover, I would point out that of the thousands of sites that are available, only a relative few are continually updated with reliable information and this can certainly narrow the field. I would also mention that this is a general and as yet, partial set of links to start with and I shall try to provide for individual interests as we go along. If anyone feels that there is a particular site that warrants inclusion just let me know and I will be pleased to check it for suitability. Please remember that it must be relevant and dynamic.
Limitations: For the purposes of this 'collection', the 'Thames' starts at it's (debateable) source and ends at Teddington locks, i.e. the freshwater section. There is a post on this subject (see Riverscope).
The following are those sites that I now use frequently:

1.0 Associations: The demise of the brolly wavers and moustache twirlers? Check it out for yourselves. Do you think that things are going sadly wrong or, is it that they are moving just a little too fast for human comfort?
1.1 R.U.Gs River User Groups. Have been useful for gauging opinion. Their efforts go toward promoting cooperation and communication between river users. However, those efforts are now overshadowed by the more commercial approach of The River Thames Alliance and you will note a slackening-off of meetings detail. I have not yet been able to establish the reason for this but it would seem that something has gone seriously amiss with the communication and co-operation....?

1.2 The River Thames Alliance. This organisation works to promote the development of the Waterway Plan.
Here is one of those wordy documents which needs to be carefully dissected to establish what the delivery for the river should be. It is an interesting document but, unless you are prepared to spend £100/year for membership of the organisation, your individual voice will not be heard. Reflect on that.
1.3 The Inland Waterways Association. Good general site. Enter 'River Thames' in the search box for a quick browse and follow up from there if interested.
1.4 Visit Thames. Flagship site of the River Thames Alliance. There is a lot of content here but I personally find it awkward to use and feel that I am always waiting for it to come together. It would be good to know what you think of it...

2.0 Boating:
2.1 Boaty Things Here is a good practical approach and still covering most of the information that a Thames user needs. Browse it in depth. You will be asked questions when you are there in the flesh! However you will note that some of the detail is starting to move out of date so, if it is critical, then doublecheck.
2.2 The Trad Boat Rally. If you enjoy the river then make this rally your pilgrimage. You will have a good day out and kids go free! Enjoy it! Touching is believing - you'll see!
2.3 Beale Park Boat Show. Close to Pangbourne. It is growing steadily and is certainly worth a day to browse. Regional show and and of real interest to self-builders.
2.4 Southampton Boat Show. Quite an event. Your dream might just be sitting here waiting for you!
2.5 Selway-Fisher. Used them myself. Excellent service.
2.6 In the boatshed. Excellent site. Good base to start your hunt. Good luck!

3.0 Browsing: Dig, poke and play. Enjoy it.
3.1 River Thames Guide. Here is a very useful overall guide. I don't find it to be quite as definitive as they suggest but it certainly is useful. Browse happily.
3.2 Thames Wiki This is a very useful potted version for quick orientation and carries quite a number of useful links.
3.3 Thames Estuary A very useful site to add to your arsenal which covers the estuary. (Helps to see where the money is going..).
3.4 Thames Waterscape Browse away here - you might just find what you have been looking for.
3.5 Heritage Photographs A real browse. Couple the past with the present. Quite a surprise in some instances.

4.0 Smooth Waters I believe that this site deserves a special mention and is probably the most definitive work that you will find on the background of the Thames. Enjoy it!

5.0 Greenish?: Relatively moderate greenishness. Some sense, some nonsense.
5.1 Natural England Green browsing.
5.2 Green News Green news. Just that.
5.3 Nature Lots of digging here. very informative.

6.0 Heritage: The Thames is indeed "Liquid history". There is no escape because the river is steeped in tradition. Accept, learn and enjoy.
6.1 English Heritage Have the kids got your goat today? Try some of this for a change.
6.2 Historic Palaces The substance is certainly there but, God preserve us from modern managers. Real tacky damage.
6.3 Monarchy Sanity regained and a very informative site.
6.4 National Trust A grown-up and valued organisation. Take your time. Try them out.
6.5 Windsor Here is a very useful site covering just about all you might wish to know about Windsor. Explore..

7.0 Regulators:
7.1 A.I.N.A. A little too dry for most readers but an important base to work from. If possible, read carefully and digest. A lot of information here which helps to read between the lines of statements from various agencies.
7.2 British Waterways An entirely separate organisation from the Thames. Of interest is how they handle their own problems and the difficulties which arise from general mismanagement from above. They do have a small section on the Thames.
7.3 D.E.F.R.A. A good site. It carries a huge volume of information which is very easily accessed. You can spend quite some time here if you are researching a subject.
7.4 Environment Agency They have a very difficult task to perform as far as the Thames is concerned. They have to bring groups of river users and those who live along its' banks, many of whom are steeped in nineteenth century nostalgia (and beyond), screaming into the twenty first century. Resistance at this time is tremendous. Feelings are running high. Very high.
If you wanted to do so, I am sure there is enough material to write a book on this subject! Keep an eye open on this one, lots of fun to come..
7.5 Direct Gov Just a handy checker. Look around.
7.6 Number 10 Downing St Again take a look.Especially useful for petition status checking.

8.0 UK Press:and (questionable Translation) Just a read for me when I am here. Join me if you like.
8.1 UK Press
8.2 [URL=http://Frengly: Translation?
8.3 [URL=http://Google: Translation?


9.0 Thames Classics: The reason that these are posted here is simply that, if you are poking around Thames lore, you will be forever falling over excerpts from these two yarns. I have included them in order that you can avoid becoming incensed, or even incandescent.
9.1 Wind in the Willows
9.2 Three Men in a Boat

10.0 Walkers: I cannot claim to be a walker. Possibly more of a stroller, or better still providing I can find a pleasant spot, a sitter and a muser. That's it! Definitely a sitter and a muser.
10.1 The Unofficial Thames Path I like this one. it covers what you want to know quickly and if you want to know more, then go explore.
10.2 Ramblers Thames Path Have at it!
10.3 National Trail - Thames Path and have at it again!

11.0 Weather: This is the UK. We live in a temperate zone. Nobody has a clue what happens next so, I have included various ways to help to figure it out for yourself.
If you make sense of this then have a look at some of the links on the Browsing/Smooth Waters site and I am fairly certain that you will never again upbraid a forecaster for ruining your picnic!
11.1 Flood Warnings
11.2 Getting Warmer?
11.3 I.P.C.C. Climate Change
11.4 Jetstream
11.5 General Weather
11.6 Local Weather
By the way, if you are painting or varnishing your boat and the humidity level is over 75%, I suggest you join me in the 'sitting and musing' because it will wreck your finishing coats...