Re: Freeman Forum - Thames meet

[Prof Pat Pending]

If your boat isn't on the Thames, but you would still like to bring her along then please remember Tony Tugboats kind offer of transport at cost for the event

As Ken has said there is a slipway at Reading, and there are also slipways at Benson and Abingdon. I suspect Tony would be happy to advise you on which slipway best suits your needs if you fancy a bit of a Thames tour while you are here

EDIT ~ Tony commented via facebook that benson is the closest, and he can probably help to arrange parking

[ken cattell]

THAMES MEET UPDATE #1.
Just strimmed out 5 bankside moorings at South Stoke (opposite Sheriden Marine), 6 if we are intimate.
The moorings are 4 minutes walk upriver from the small slipway/car park area in South Stoke. (Ferrry road through the village at the end follow sign stating "To the river". When your feet start getting seriously wet turn right and follow the towpath upstream for 4 minutes.

Camping. Yes though I would suggest a small tent as it would be hard work with a 4 person family tent, camp kitchen, etc.

Dogs. Yes, hopefully my idiot dog can learn some boating skills from them.

Local accomodation. The village pub (8 min. walk from moorings) The Perch and Pike RG80JS has 4 rooms. 01491 872415 www.perchandpike.co.uk if the rooms are half as good as their beer why am i staying on the boat?
Post strimming I am checking out beers on your behalf its Breakspears plus a guest ale, all I can say is Oh Yes!

Thanks to Chris for his offer of help re the moorings but for an initial foray Andrew wanted it to ramp up softly so we dont upset the landowner. Nothing against you Chris just trying to please 3 masters here.
With the offers of various boats to ferry if required I shall bin the small dingy boat search although please be aware the moorings at Sheriden s may be occupied with customer boats. So there may be a few minutes delay picking you up.

Looking forward to the August meet all I think I need to do is turn up! All good fun though.

[RichK]

Good work Ken, shame I cannot make it, maybe another day we will pop down

[Prof Pat Pending]

Great job Ken  Just make absolutely sure that beer is up to standard [You must be registered and logged in to see this image.] you know what a fussy beggar I am with beer  

There should also be a good selection the Breakspere's and Wychwood ales available from Anne's beer cellar, some wine for the ladies (although they are welcome to the beer if they wish ) and I suppose I'll bring some of that lager stuff to put in the fridge just in case 

Really looking forward to it, now all I have to do is make Anne look presentable for a stay opposite Sheridan's

[sneddie]

Well done Ken, appreciate your hard work. I agree with Pat, please ensure the beer has been fully tested,  I find it usually takes three pints at least! 
We are taking White Orchid down to Sheridan Marine next week, we have a weeks hard standing booked so that I can get her looking her best for the meet. We are really looking forward to the weekend and meeting people,  talking all things Freeman and generally having a chilled time.

[Chris Meyer]

Damn, and after I'd gone down to the army surplus and bought one of these too [You must be registered and logged in to see this image.] or do you think it might have been too much for Andrew? If there are only 5-6 bankside moorings are we planning to raft up, still not sure if we will make it by boat, but would have thought even if we don't there will be more than 6.

[ken cattell]

Thanks for the thought Chris but having given up cigs.(for the moment?) the giant fag lighter may be a bit surplus though usefull as a oven lighter.
Going on the responses on this topic we are only expecting 5 boats so far, we are prepared to moor alongside, due to how hard it is finding a free length of mid Thames river bank with garunteed mooring space for the event.

[Chris Meyer]

okydoky, I have to say, in all honesty, I think our chances of getting there by boat are looking increasingly slim, whilst I am cracking on with the hard engineering side, my co-owner who is in charge of all things electrical has got at least 4-5 days work on the total rewire, and we will I think, need to resist the temptation to rush, especially since this refurb is intended to give the boat a lease of life that will hopefully see us out 
PS bet it would get a BBQ going. Would still like to come up and meet other owners though, we used to make regular pilgrimages to SM for his club/charity days, "Jetinga" was often the lead boat in the sail past as she was normally the oldest boat there.  She was No 57, vedette engined.  Now going seriously off topic though.

[Prof Pat Pending]

[You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

That's a shame 
But it'll be good to put some faces to usernames however you get there

[Prof Pat Pending]

Going on the responses on this topic we are only expecting 5 boats so far

Ken, have you counted Tony Tugboats?

[ken cattell]

No I would of thoughtwe may of seen some evidence here if any members were intending to take up his very good offer.

[Prof Pat Pending]

It seems nobody has  but Tony will be bringing his own boat I believe

[Prof Pat Pending]

Just to ensure everyone has the correct loction, this is the postcode for the nearest house RG8 0JL
Follow Ferry Lane to the river and go through the gate on the right

The link below should show you the location of the gate on Google maps
South Stoke, Oxfordshire
https://www.google.co.uk/maps/place/South+Stoke,+Oxfordshire/@51.5493543,-1.1447914,284m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m2!3m1!1s0x487697b4e6d529b1:0xc285f9419d167525
Follow the river north and you'll see the raft of Freemans always moored outside Sheridan's

[Prof Pat Pending]

We have moorings .... Nice job Ken [You must be registered and logged in to see this image.]

Taken today from the visitor moorings at Sheridan

[Prof Pat Pending]

Dermot...I misread your post


Did you get hold of Tony? 
If not I can drop him a line on your behalf and give him your email address. It would be great to see you at Moulsford

[ken cattell]

Went to the meet site yesterday and re-strimmed the moorings,expanded the bankside bit to give a bit more room. Looks good but will give it another strim before the meet. Locals are thanking me for giving them a nice riverside picnic area!

I have made a number of signs to put up roadside in South Stoke to guide in those coming by road. Just look out for the "@Freeman" burgee.

Please would all attendees by whatever means please pm me with your boat/car info and numbers in your party. its been a while since the original proposals and respone and some folks may of had to change plans. Just so we can get a confirmed number and make sure all is as ready as you would like it.
I can also give you my phone number which may prove useful when the gps fails en route, last minuete questions or some other crisis.

Looking forward to seeing you all.

[sneddie]

Hi Ken thanks for the hard work you are putting in. Our boat is currently at Sheridan Marine and I can see the moorings you have prepared for us, they look spot on. Had a long chat with Andrew today and he is pleased that we are setting up for future mooring opportunities provided all goes well. I am confident that he will put in an appearance at some point over the weekend
In response to your request for details we will be arriving on site in our  Freeman  24 and our party will consist of two adults and one well behaved dog
Thanks again for your hard work. Cheers

[Liberty]

I can't make the Thames meet.... 

But.. could someone print off this thread ....  

https://freeman-cruisers.forumotion.co.uk/t91-tracing-the-history-of-my-boat-i-didn-t-expect-to-find-this?highlight=history

.. and if you get the chance.... ask Andrew to see if he can fill in any gaps... or at least confirm my detective work???

... and if he fancies a weekend in Cambridgeshire on the boat.... he only has to ask..... (Sheriden do have gift vouchers don't they???)

[Prof Pat Pending]

Shame you can't make it

I'll make sure there's a copy there in one form or another

[Dermot]

Dermot...I misread your post


Did you get hold of Tony? 
If not I can drop him a line on your behalf and give him your email address. It would be great to see you at Moulsford

Hi Pat,

Sorry for the late reply.  I did manage to get hold of Tony but he is fully booked.  I'm debating whether to come by car for one or two of the days.  Will you all be there for the whole weekend?

Dermot

[Prof Pat Pending]

That's a shame Dermot

Wer're planning to arrive Saturday morning, stay overnight and play sunday by ear. If people are still around we may hang about, if not we'll probably move off Sunday Afternoon. 

@ken Cattell, @Sneddie what are your plans?

[sneddie]

Our plans were to arrive Friday afternoon and stay for the weekend if others are going to be around. Is it possible to establish just who intends attending,  whether by boat or car and for how long. Based on this info we can then make plans but our intention at this stage is to make a full bank holiday weekend of it.

[Prof Pat Pending]

Hopefully Ken has a list....Ken?

[sneddie]

Hi Ken how are things for the weekend shaping up? Is there anything I can do to help. We are at home until Wednesday morning but are then returning to the boat at Abingdon, pumping out, buying gas and fuel and then making our way to Moulsford over Thursday and Friday. I am assuming that we will be able to cross over from the moorings that you have prepared to Sheridan Marine to fill the water tank.  Looking forward to meeting you.

[ken cattell]

Thanks Sneddie,,
Meet wise I think??everything is in hand, I'm hoping to go over to the mooring for a final strim Monday late afternoon and place some reserved mooring markers on the bank.
The road signs are done and I will set them out on Friday when I get to the moorings, (setting out from Inglesham Wednesday morning). I have a tarp type shelter to erect to use as a gathering point as we may or may not be lucky with the weather.
Replies come in slowly regarding attendees.
All in all on track I fancy.
Boat wise found I had a leaking roof fitting on Friday night,, the river was lowered at to leave me high and dry Saturday morming above St. Johns lock and my own mooring was strimmed leaving my boat looking like a floating compost heap whilst I have had to endure pre permit work on the plane this weekend, (always a fraught time).
Roll on next weekend.

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