Medway, Swale, C&B N Page 1

The Tuesday Night Club Official Web Site

The Tuesday Night Club on Tour

Tour 2001

Thames Estuary, Medway, Swale, Thames Estuary, Chelmer and Blackwater Navigation, Thames Estuary and Tidal Thames to Brentford

1- Harefield to Limehouse, via Grand Union. Paddington Arm, Regents Canal, Hertford Union, River Lee, Bow Back Rivers, Limehouse Cut

In the weeks preceding the trip Neil readied Earnest for the sea passage. This consisted of servicing engine, oil and all filters changed (2 x fuel filter, oil and air). The water trap was cleaned out and the bottom of the diesel tank checked for crud and water using a clear siphon – OK. The stuffing box was restuffed and spare set of packing cut to size. The 3.0M inflatable and outboard were stowed as well as 2 x 25 Litre drums of diesel. The bilges were cleaned and polished and the engine checked for any oil / water leaks.
A rubber bung was found for the Mikuni diesel boiler exhaust. The periscope dry exhaust extension was test fitted and the mast with anchor / forward navigation lamp / GPS aerial was checked out. The stern engine compartment vents had been left o from last year (there is now venting through the rear cockpit lockers.) All chips / rust spots to exterior paintwork were touched up. The anchor was checked over and Ian Clarke’s spare one stowed. The set of spare drive belt and filters were restocked and put to hand. Loads of old rags from home were stowed.

Friday 27^th April 2001

The crew of Neil, John “Navigator” Chapman, Ian “Helmsman” Clarke and Frank Connolly met up round Neil’s house and were soon on the way to Harefield Marina to the preloaded and provisioned Earnest. Frank was a newsgroupy who had been pressganged into helping JC move his boat on the aborted trip off the Fens. We cast off at 16.45, the planned destination of the Black Horse, Greenford. This was a Fullers, recently done up establishment, that was the last half decent pub and stopping place, before Little Venice.
While passing Uxbridge Boat Centre, disaster struck – “thrawk” followed by “Beeeeeeep”. Yes, the main alternator / water pump drive belt had snapped. This took Neil 45 minutes to change as it was the innermost of three! In an emergency we would have cut the others to save time. We realised that we would not reach Greenford before last food orders, so terminated at good old Tesco’s, Bulls Bridge. Our “normal” mooring spot was free (no mooring rings) and our pins fitted the pre made holes in the pavoirs!!! The £3 hot meal of the day was had by all but one crew member. The other had the all day mega fry-up breaky! A small spot of shopping followed and then we repaired to the boat for an early night. Visitors to this establishment will be annoyed to know that from now on they will only do hot food up to 20.00!

Saturday 28^th April 2001

We got up at 07.00 and all repaired to Tesco’s for a £2 fry-up breaky. At 08.00 Peter Wright arrived after being dropped off by his son Sebastian. 08.10 saw us on our way. Although we were booked (and FINALLY confirmed!) out of Bow Lock at 05.00 the next morning we decided to stay in the slightly more salubrious Limehouse Basin and go back to Bow Lock the next morning. The route was Paddington Arm, Regent’s Canal, Duckett’s / Hertford Union Canal, River Lee and Limehouse Cut to the Basin. Uneventful trip, timings as follows :- Little Venice – 12.00, Camden Lock – 13.00, Top Duckett’s – 14.40, Bottom Duckett’s – 15.20. Apparently Newsgroupy Tim Lewis clocked us about to enter Islington Tunnel, his e-mailed image is below!
Below the River Lee Old Ford Lock we entered the now constant lowish level Bow Back Rivers and got as far as the first dock, before slithering to a halt. Rather neat reverse out annoyed the old gongoozling "I told you so!" geezer. This detour lasted between 15.45 and 16.05. We did not attempt the other end of the Bow Back Rivers "loop". Bow Lock was passed at 16.22 and we moored in Limehouse Basin at 16.45, on the bank just by the Cruising Association HQ. Ian C is a member of said organisation and we all went in for a drink. Next an early meal followed in the "Old Friends" Chinese restaurant, in Commercial Road. Very good and very “established” Early to bed for early start.