Thames meet 24-27 Aug 2018

I’m very pleased to be able to announce that the 2018 Thames meet will be in its usual location on its usual weekend.

Location:https://www.google.co.uk/maps/place/South+Stoke,+Oxfordshire/@51.5482493,-1.144488,20z/data=!3m1!1e3!4m2!3m1!1s0x487697b4e6d529b1:0xc285f9419d167525?hl=en-gb
Plus code: 9C3WGVX4+96 (copy and paste into google maps for our exact location)

Boats will be welcome to arrive on the Friday and depart on the Monday or at any point in between.
As usual we have access for vehicles (falling trees permitting), secure parking, space for camping, caravans or campers.
There is a small slip outside the gate (too tight for a Freeman) and I suspect that Tony will be offering his usual mates rates deal for anyone wishing to bring their boat from further afield. As @simritdave did last year, you could make a holiday of it.

There will be a short interlude one evening while we raise a glass in Byrons memory.
Last year’s whip-round was used to buy a bench in Byrons memory

Maureen and I, Dick and Anita, will be there by road and staying at the Perch & Pike. Trevor and Lorraine will also be driving down and "Glamping" on the river bank in their new tent (with Maisie the Dog). All arriving on the Saturday and staying till the the Bank Holiday Monday.

Awesome, should be another great bash

Probably worth a bump, time is ticking away 

There’s also the tidal Thames gathering over the previous weekend  plenty of time to cruise to the Barrier and back for a relaxing weekend by the river to discuss the previous weekend over copious amounts of alcohol and BBQ

F(expletive deleted)g brilliant ! I'm in, probably Rosie too. Happy to provide a bottle of Port for Byron (RIP) his generosity made the Thames meet.

It wouldn’t be the same without you both

Try not to lose her on the way back this time

Please remember to register for any events you’ll be attending. It helps us to ensure that we have moorings for everyone 

https://freeman-cruisers.forumotion.co.uk/portal

Registered! (and cant wait!)

I'm planning on escaping the Wey on Thursday night then mooring on the Thames ready for an early start from Shepperton Lock vicinity on the Friday morning then putting in a long days cruising to break the back of the journey for an arrival at some point on Saturday.

If anyone has similar plans, it would be great to group up!

Steve, I have done teddington to sheridan quite a bit.
On sat it will be choka 
Normally I do teddington to chertsey in the evening
Chertsey cookham the next day
Cookham sheridan the final day
Doing penton to cleeve in a day and a half is aggressive
The cruising time is well known
Ie 10.5 hours at 5mph
But the 18 locks are the unknown 
If u budget 30 mins each that’s a further 9 hours
You get my drift?

I'm up for a challenge but probably didn't figure in the locks in enough detail - still learning about 'boat time'!

Albeit typically the most fun part, it would be a shame to miss the bulk of the meet travelling, might have to try to get going a bit earlier if work will permit and into the evening when things will be a bit quieter.  I suppose a very early start would also make a big difference.  

Presuming you're heading up for the duration, you'll be passing my neck of the woods on Wednesday!?

Steve, get Tony Anderson (tugboat) to move you ?

When you've met a lock, going upstream, that's already full, against you, that need draining down because the last user didn't play fair and leave gates closed and emptying, your schedule and patience in a hurry goes to pot. If it happens several times and with all the walking around the lock to 'play the game and do it right' you'll rapidly appreciate why railways were so successful vis a vis rivers and canals!
And talking railways, presumably you've got to be back quickly too, so leave the boat and take a train from Cholsey, and later make your down-river cruise to home a leisurely and memorable summer cruise and not another dash.

yeah...the pleasure is doubled when there is no rush.

PS...I know it says leave locks empty...but its a waste of water...its a 50:50 chance it will be right for you...the only reason they say empty the locks is cos' being full overnight encourages algae and the poor boat folk get green on their perfect fenders... I cant be doing with all that....

downstream on the thames there are so many night boats I would never drain a lock if going upstream on self service.... locks like bell weir take about 10 mins to drain there's that much water in them. no one does that.

what irked me last year that EA only man every other lock during the week. That really adds to your time because the public controls are slugged and are really s-l-o-w........

oooppps gone a bit off topic....soz...

Your comments are all very valid, especially the railways! Seems mad that I'm so close but three days by water! When I do Sheridan, I'm there when it opens and back by 1030! Suppose I need to remember that they joy of having a boat is cruising, not just mooring somewhere nice!

Have thought about mothballing the return until the following weekend which sounds ideal if I can secure suitable secure moorings.

All the EA public moorings are 24 hour. Last year I put in at the Tingdene marina at Caversham for a week... but it will cost you...£15 per night!

Ask Sheridan. If not outside then perhaps on the opp bank. I'm sure they'd ferry you if they'll moor you at all and then easier for the local Cholsey taxi to meet you.

Minerva wrote -  "locks like bell weir take about 10 mins to drain there's that much water in them. no one does that." What a coincidence! When I described the time taken when meeting a full lock etc, it was Bell Weir I was actually describing, and what had happened to me there two evenings before. I wonder etc.... 
If you don't mind me saying, not leaving the lock closed and emptying as requested on the Thames is somewhat infra dig, but then I'm old school as in 30 years older!

Ha ...well... bell weir is the one that sticks in your memory because when it’s self service I know if am gonna be greyer by the time I get through!
I shall re state my case. The only reason (according to a conversation I had with a lockie 20 years ago) that they  ask you to leave locks empty is to discourage algae growth on the walls because boaty folk worry about getting green fenders. What a waste of time and energy!
It does nothing to save water because it’s a 50:50 probability that the next person that comes would have preferred you not to empty the lock!
Also 30 years ago they didn’t have disco boats going up and down in the middle of the night. I assure you they do not empty the lock! Hey ho... I had to google infra dig ...not terminology I have come across before! Anyway sorry to go off topic!

Ha ha! And why I remember the incident particularly is that I arrived first of all onto the weir-side layby noticing with pleasure that the sign said Attended Service and I hung about there for probably only five minutes before becoming questioning about the absence of activity, reversed off, landed on the hotel side and went to have a look. Full lock and total tranquillity! The sign on the office door said Off-Duty! It was 4.08pm. They'd forgotten to change the sign, only at the tail end, my end, to 'Self Service'.
 
These things are sent to try us (and delay us, returning to the topic) and of course the canal users amongst you will be saying what a lot of prissy wimps we are on the Royal Thames: 'Attended Service' indeed! On the rugged canals I believe you can't even contemplate the concept of 'Service', in return for your licence fee!

the Thames meet in its usual location the weekend after the Tidal cruise.

Minerva - re  "(according to a conversation I had with a lockie 20 years ago) that they  ask you to leave locks empty is to discourage algae growth on the walls because boaty folk worry about getting green fenders." (Or green on their flannels!)
I meant to say that 20 years ago the lockkeepers had to clean the walls, on a Thursday if I remember. Today not so and just a memory. Yet another Thames legend!

Well they have changed the advice now due to the water shortage

By Thames Legend I only meant the memory of routine lock (and step!) cleaning. Also memory of Lock Keepers' smart uniform caps and tunics. You got your money's-worth more then! Yes and lockside urinals for gentlemen! But have drifted off-topic, sorry.

Are you coming to the Thames meet chaps?

If you also mean am I personally attending and if not why am I writing within this topic and not elsewhere, or at all, I'm afraid you're right! Am not. Through not being able to make the effort. 
May stand and salute, though, as you pass Old Windsor during your Tidal meet. Count you all out and count you back. Deep waters round Tower Bridge and further East! Seems to me quite brave.