David Jenkins
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| posted on 30/5/11 at 05:49 PM |
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Well, I had a great day...
Went on a Thames sailing barge from Tilbury to just short of Tower Bridge, London.
Six-and-a-half hours pootling up and down the Thames, being fed and watered at regular intervals... which was nice! 
 
Barge - Tower Bridge
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steve m
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| posted on 30/5/11 at 06:02 PM |
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Did you borrow a map?
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steve m
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| posted on 30/5/11 at 06:11 PM |
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To get to the thames
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David Jenkins
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| posted on 30/5/11 at 06:13 PM |
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I had to get to Tilbury though... hence my whinge elsewhere! 
After that, it was - leave the jetty, go west until you meet Tower Bridge, turn around, go back to jetty!
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stevegough
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| posted on 30/5/11 at 06:23 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by David Jenkins
I had to get to Tilbury though... hence my whinge elsewhere!
After that, it was - leave the jetty, go west until you meet Tower Bridge, turn around, go back to jetty!
Easier when there's only one road....or waterway in this case. BTW, I've had trouble with a Garmin - I gave it away and went back to a
map, but I've borrowed a Tom-Tom several times - they are pretty much unbeatable.
Luego Locost C20XE.
Build start: October 6th 2008.
IVA passed Jan 28th 2011.
First drive Feb 10th 2011.
First show: Stoneleigh 1st/2nd May 2011.
'Used up' first engine may 3rd 2011!
Back on the road with 2nd engine may 24th
First PASA mad drive 26/7/11
Sold to Mike in Methyr Tydvil 19/03/14
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jacko
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| posted on 30/5/11 at 06:51 PM |
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Nice one.
I have been playing narrow boats all weekend at Crick boat show
Jacko
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David Jenkins
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| posted on 30/5/11 at 07:08 PM |
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What amazed me was the 'staffing level' - I knew that these boats were run by just 2 people, but it's incredible to watch. The
barge's master did the steering most of the time, with one young lad dealing with all the sails. The master only came out when a bit of extra
rope hauling was required. Just about everything could be done from the deck level, with either a block-and-tackle set-up or a manual winch. The
'lad' only went up the rope ladder once, to loosen the topsail.
 
Up a rope ladder!
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mangogrooveworkshop
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| posted on 30/5/11 at 08:06 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by David Jenkins
What amazed me was the 'staffing level' - I knew that these boats were run by just 2 people, but it's incredible to watch. The
barge's master did the steering most of the time, with one young lad dealing with all the sails. The master only came out when a bit of extra
rope hauling was required. Just about everything could be done from the deck level, with either a block-and-tackle set-up or a manual winch. The
'lad' only went up the rope ladder once, to loosen the topsail.
Up a rope ladder!
We sail with two one on the helm and one deckman ...me the third man is usually making tea at 35 degrees on the way out and in his bunk on the way
back sick as a hound
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David Jenkins
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| posted on 30/5/11 at 08:53 PM |
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quote:
Originally posted by mangogrooveworkshop
We sail with two one on the helm and one deckman ...me the third man is usually making tea at 35 degrees on the way out and in his bunk on the way
back sick as a hound
'king enormous sails on those Thames barges though - heavy cloth too. There were other crew on board - 3 women - but they were just catering
and organising the passengers, and didn't do any 'boat work'.
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Thinking about it
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| posted on 31/5/11 at 08:23 AM |
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I once spent 3 days on one out of Ipswich. They are amazing well recommended. Need to pace yourself to hoist the top mainsail its a killer.
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