Skip navigation.

Thames - A Personal Notebook

bits'n pieces that might be of use

Old Windsor Lock to Romney Lock/Windsor Bridge

Thursday, 26. March 2009, 11:22:34

,



To go for a walk, click on the picture and then use the slideshow or the arrows..
If you would like a more detailed look at the area then use this Map (select "satellite" view).
Jubilee river
Windsor Castle
St. George's Chapel (This is a Wiki Divert..just look for the link in the body of the document)

Bell Weir Lock to Old Windsor Lock:Najuha - Pre-Launch pics

Comments

triyin 27. March 2009, 14:12

Loved this one, just the right pace for me

PainterWoman 27. March 2009, 15:49

Loved the homes tucked away, all the bridges, the magical view through the tunnel and the storybook picture....and the quick view of Windsor Castle too. I also liked that area you called the 'honeypot cluster' where the House on the Bridge is. Looks like a nice, but expensive, place to stay.

I think my very favorite photo is the one of the home with the yellow, white and pink flowers blossoming on the trees and shrubs.

Of course, I love the bridges and homes along all of these walks.

lectrixderic 27. March 2009, 17:20

Hi both,
The "honeypot cluster" is a bunch of private flats (you are right about "expensive")..
I'm glad you are enjoying it and thank you for your comments.
I think that the important thing to pick out of it all is the question of which "reach" most suits your own personality and where you would like to visit if you were in the Thames valley. The character of the river will continue to change as we progress upstream...Keep an eye open...
As far as Windsor and the Castle are concerned... in the sidebar.. "Heritage" adjacent...there is a lot to get through if you are interested...
I will do a separate "Walk" on Windsor because they cater properly for visiting trailboaters...which is more than can be said for most local authorities!

PainterWoman 27. March 2009, 17:46

If I were to win the lottery, I'd invest half of it, pay someone to fix all the things that I'm trying to fix, build a small dog sanctuary and do a bit of traveling. I made a short list of places I would like to see and started looking up ticket prices. The first one I looked up was to New Zealand. $4,800 USD! :yikes: That was depressing so I stopped looking.

I am going to Fargo, North Dakota in May to visit my daughter and her husband. Because of record snow this winter, they are having flooding right now from the Red River which is the only river in the U.S. that flows north. It flows into Canada. The river normally crests at 14 ft., it is now at 41. Just heard from her this morning and so far they have not had to evacuate. They are 18 blocks from the river. Her boss and his wife live much closer and have levees all around them so they stayed at my daughters house last night.

lectrixderic 27. March 2009, 18:11

We are a little more fortunate here.. For me , the victorian concept of Old Father Thames is a misnomer. This river is feminine... gentle, nurturing and feminine in character..On an average you could say that it falls a foot per mile... hardly a cascade...There is power in it and, left to its own devices, if water wants to go somewhere it will, and it takes a lot of strength to stop it. However we have had a lot of practice here in guiding her along and although she may get a little annoyed and rustle her skirts every so often the damage is usually more a threat to the pocket than to life. So far...... Let's hope it stays that way..

Hopefully they got the stores in and are listening to the flood alerts but you can't do much more than be prepared to get out fast when you are told .. Nice to have someone on higher ground who can help..
Wish them luck and that the levees hold!

Skip247 30. March 2009, 19:02

Thank you very much Derek. Following your walk here and enjoying the commentary as well was a great pleasure. I will surely follow the rest of your walks as they are posted. Thanks again. :D

lectrixderic 30. March 2009, 20:18

Hi Skip.. just one more to do for this phase. Weather is getting better and it is glue ,screw and paint time again. Glad you liked it..it is a pretty section... check out the associated maps..
Can we prevail upon you to provide some pics of the Broads? ....(the watery type that is) and maybe a couple of wherries?

Skip247 30. March 2009, 21:36

I will see what I can do. In the meantime I can give you this link and you can use the interactive map on the site.

http://www.norfolk-broads.org/maps/maps.asp

lectrixderic 31. March 2009, 10:21

Thanks Skip,
Looks like a good starting point....

Skip247 31. March 2009, 12:34

There are only two Wherries on the Broads these days. One has just finished a refit and the other one is being worked on. Hopefully they will be back on the Broads this summer as they need it to raise revenue to pay for the refits and operating costs etc. They are beautiful old girls that look magnificent in full sail.

I am still working to get my Porta-bote (a folding dinghy) to get out there as soon as is possible. I want to do studies of the Broads from water-level.

I was going to homebuild a Swampscott Dory, but that is a bit impracticle now, so I have no choice but to buy.

We are definitely going to loose the Broads, as is, and it is happening faster than any previous survey has admitted.

lectrixderic 31. March 2009, 14:16

While their owners can still afford the sails grab plenty of shots for posterity..
Porta-Bote plus electric outboard? There are quite a few about...
That reminds me... I want to check on the Thames Barrier predictions. They are considering icreasing the height by over-rotation..

Skip247 31. March 2009, 17:55

Yes, I have been told that the Thames Barrier is now officially not tall enough, as recent predictions are seriously underestimated. So where does the water go? We are all in for more serious flooding.

I would not use an electric outboard on my P-bote. Only sail and oars for me.

lectrixderic 31. March 2009, 19:24

The claim is that by cranking the barrier a little more they can achieve another one metre plus and that the requirement is a little overstated - so the barrier is "good" until 2070. However they will have to build up the banks and walls to suit..
2070? I won't be here...
P-bote.. Good for you ... Maybe "difficult" going upstream though....?
I would have to leave that..getting a bit out of puff these days..

Skip247 31. March 2009, 21:32

If I cannot sail upstream I would 'ferry glide' like a canoe (much easier rowing).

lectrixderic 1. April 2009, 07:17

At my age skip.. believe it..I'm puffing...

sonia 1. April 2009, 13:53

Thank you for these posts, most informative. A friend of mine owns a narrowboat and lives on the canals. This helps to understand her life and travels a little better.

lectrixderic 1. April 2009, 14:46

Hi Sonia,
The reality of narrowboat life is not quite as idyllic as people would have you believe....
It is the old story..When people make a major purchase or commitment they will spend the rest of their lives trying to justify it to others in order that they can justify it to themselves..
In the UK climate you will freeze in the winter because of limited insulation and in the summer you can make meringues in the cabin...etc. etc.
There are occasional periods when you can become isolated from the rat-race and it is those occasions when all the associated hardships seem worthwhile... but, they are occasional...
Advice...if in Europe... hire one and as I have said elsewhere ... throw the rose-coloured glasses over the side...

But! On the other hand...

tranvietnam 7. April 2009, 16:33

Hi! Is this Thames River? It 's very nice!

lectrixderic 8. April 2009, 07:41

Hi!
It is what it says on the packet! Take your time and read it through.. there is a lot of information here .... and this is just the start...

L2D2 10. April 2009, 04:21

Just found your blog. Very nice hike. Looks lovely. Probably is closet I will get to England to see for myself. This is a very nice alternative. Thanks for the trip.

lectrixderic 10. April 2009, 08:11

Thanks! that's the idea....

sherin1974 25. April 2009, 10:14

NICE AND BEAUTIFUL RELAXING PLACE TO GO FOR A LONG QUITE WALK UP THERE-THANKS FOR THE POST:-)

lectrixderic 25. April 2009, 10:26

Thank you - Yara?
Snoop around the blog...you will find plenty more...

sherin1974 25. April 2009, 18:16

I Will diffidently do Derick-wish you a very nice day

Write a comment

You must be logged in to write a comment. If you're not a registered member, please sign up.