Tim

Maybe go to Oostend by train from Brugge! Maybe we'll see you around as we're cruising in Belgium in July / August.

For example, my 60ft turned out to be 60' 6'' when measured. Could be the 6'' makes the difference.

The recent RBC signage is a classic case of the few spoiling it for the many.

One of the signs that appeared here this weekend, should be interesting!

Last time I came back from Llangollen we were 14th in line to go down at New Marton, just under a 3 hour wait, it was August, but it's not just Grindley that can cause significant delay.

C

I'm pretty sure it's the same TVM green sign, but I am perhaps guilty of assumption as I've only seen them from the middle of the river and not looked close up. The TVM website only shows above the lock as a location.

On a further point of order, the no mooring signs you refer to have TVM mooring signs fixed over the top of them, happened a couple of Months ago I think, certainly earlier this year. I'm going by them on Friday morning, I'll try to remember to take a picture. Edited to note I haven't checked on their website to see if this location is now TVM.

FYI, I've been out pretty much every weekend and more since the end of March, mainly in the Marlow to Wallingford area, you are talking complete and utter rubbish. I get moored in Henley whenever I turn up, there are always spaces on the SRB moorings, I will concede that Marlow can sometimes be full, as can Goring & Wallingford, but if you know the river, and you clearly don't! there are alternatives. I've no idea where all these 'dumped' boats are that you refer to, unless you mean the boats on the council moorings which pay £55 a week for the pleasure, a good price IMO! And, yes, lets take Sonning, there are always plenty of spaces both above and below the lock on the TVM monitored moorings, it is you who cannot be getting out much. You seem to be trying to make a case to support your OP and it quite clearly doesn't stand up.

I really can't see what the problem is, it's only the EA 24 hour sites that are now managed by TVM, and they offer an additional 2 days for £10, there are many other free moorings, it's only the likes of Marlow, Henley & Windsor that charge in the £10 to £12 area, even them Marlow and Henley are free during the day. There are a few problems, but some have been resolved, the longstanding one is at Tesco in Reading, a bit of a bummer if you want to shop, but not a disaster. I regularly cruise between Windsor and Abingdon and we always get moored somewhere. I believe the situation is better now than it was a few years back, the OP cites Marlow & Wallingford, from memory Marlow is £12 to overnight, but there are a few 24 hour free spots, Wallingford I think is £8, so I've no idea what he's going on about. If he dislikes the river that much maybe he should keep off it.

Surely this is an improvement? Previously, most of these were restricted to 24 hours only, now (IMO) you can get 2 further days at £5 per day, a bargain in Thames terms.

Instructions for mine say to use 'Volvo Penta Grease (Volvo 828250)' Every 200 hours. Not tried it yet as we're only at 135 from new, more worringly, although I need to read again and more carefully the same document says change the seal every 500?

Give Merchant a call 07921 694287 he operates in that area.

Sold through ABNB, really pleased with them.

All locks closed on the Basingstoke as of today.

I've just got back from Allington, am currently in Limehouse, it's a great trip but I'm in a Dutch Barge, much more suitable. The PLA do a really good guide for recreational boaters on how to navigate the tidal Thames, you really do need to know what you're doing, as said before, check your insurance. We came up in a force 3 today, no real problem for us, even with wind over tide, however we took some 1 metre waves from the wake of an outgoing ship bow on, I'm convinced they would have sunk a narrowboat, so be very careful even if the weather is perfect!

No option for me, about 50/50 house/boat.

Henley is £10, there are some 24 hour EA moorings before Sonning Lock and about half way between Shiplake & Marsh Locks.

84p at Better Boating at the moment - any declaration.

There was a rumour that the council were going to reduce this to 3 days, even if true it's still pretty good, shame more councils along the river don't adopt this sort of policy.

There's a charge for the end of landing mooring above Clifton Lock, there are also 2 (1 above & 1 below) Goring Lock for which a fee is payable. The one above Abingdon is 24 hours free (I think?)

Keepers at Mapledurham, Caversham and Sonning this weekend.

Galleon Marine in Odiham on the Basingstoke may also work.

Abingdon!