Submitted by rick.jones on
Original forum:
- On the water:Association events
We are repeating last year's successful Spring social gathering at Lechlade-on-Thames.
This year it will be on Saturday 15th April, and will be primarily a lunch time event. We previously indicated there would be an early evening meal, but it was impossible to arrange a suitable restaurant booking, so we have booked a large table for lunch.
We will also be using the New Inn rather than the Riverside. The latter are not currently taking bookings so we had to switch venue. For those who visited the Riverside last year, the New Inn is just round the corner.
The New Inn restaurant opens for lunch at 12 noon, we plan for the meals to be served about 12:45. You will need to pre-order at least a week beforehand, we will publish the menu in due course. We will also require a deposit of 50% with your order, to be passed on to the restaurant.
Nothing is fixed for after lunch, but there's plenty of scope. A pleasant walk along the river, boating talk at the marina, or just hang around the bar! Or if you're just making a day trip you may want to head off home before it gets too late.
There is a very nice marina at Lechlade, so you may want to think about bringing your boat, and maybe incorporate a few days river cruising, either launching at Lechlade, or further down river and cruising up for the Saturday. If you plan on doing this please make your own arrangements with the marina.
If you want a hotel room for overnight, again please make your own arrangements. Both the Riverside and New Inn have rooms, but I recommend booking as soon as possible. Those are the only hotels in Lechlade (it's a very small place!) but you could also try Swindon or Cirencester, which are each only about 10 miles away.
We hope you will be able to join us. If you can, and/or if you have any questions, please reply here.
Rick Jones (Treasurer), former 26X & 19 owner, Isle of Wight
71 Comments
Sorry for the late entry but
Submitted by robert.gardner on
Sorry for the late entry but wanted to be sure I was in the Uk for the gathering.
have paid 5o% for me and emailed Liz with the order
see you at the luncheon
Rob Gardner (Maggiejane)
I received this today from
Submitted by chris.barratt on
I received this today from Jules at Lechlade Marina:
Dear Chris
I am sure that you will be keeping an eye on river conditions nearer to the time of your visit. Last week we were on and off red boards, currently on red boards. Yesterday the river levels rose rapidly (it has come up nearly 2’ in the last 24 hours and is still rising), with some areas of the marina starting to flood. In our opinion it is unlikely, even if the river level drops, that the red or yellow boards will be removed and the river return to a safely navigable state before next weekend. It may even take two weeks to return to normal. Below is a link to the relevant page on the website.
https://www.gov.uk/guidance/river-thames-current-river-conditions
We suggest that you look at the link nearer to the time of your visit, in case you need to change plans. We are happy to wait and see how things go, but I wanted to warn you that your trip may be impacted by the river conditions or may not be possible at all. If your plans must change, we will of course refund you for any unused services at the marina that you have already paid for.
Best wishes
Jules
Chris and I received the same
Submitted by quentin.sands on
Chris and I received the same email. We are monitoring the situation and will review towards the latter part of the week. Chris is more bullish than me about the prospects. I posted on a Thames boaters Facebook page asking the question re prospects for next week and the best response suggested the use of a crystal ball.
Quentin Sands, past owner
1991 26C Mrs MacGregor
1993 Mac19, Margarita
It's difficult Quentin ,
Submitted by roly.simpson on
It's difficult Quentin , probably best to ask local knowledge if things may be on the same. When Rod and I did the Thames we proceeded one section despite red boards after an off the record discussion with the lock keeper....it was a doddle ! We'd been through much worse in unboarded areas. . I think they base it on relatively unmanouverable long boats with inexperienced skippers.
Hope it works out but it will be good all the same...looking forward to it !
Roly
I remember previous trips on
Submitted by liz.healey on
I remember previous trips on flooded rivers (not the Thames) and we all survived, as long as there aren't too many low bridges!
OK jerimiah Jonathan who is
Submitted by jonathan.knight on
OK jerimiah Jonathan who is apt to be gunghoe with himself, but as commdore says. It's your decision, take the advice you want, we had 100mm clearance at Osney Bridge above mast rest at normal water height so remember to duck and red boards might invalidate your insurance.
What a damper!
Jonathan
Wise words!
Submitted by liz.healey on
Wise words!
Got this from a member on
Submitted by quentin.sands on
Got this from a member on Thames Boaters, Facebook.
You need to consider four things:
1. Level - to determine whether you can discern where the banks are (or are meant to be) and get under bridges.
2. Flow - if going upstream, can you make headway against the flow? If going downstream, can you make it into lock cuts, complete turns safely and actually stop?
3. EA advice. Not only the boards (since yellow stream decreasing can be far more dangerous than yellow stream increasing) but lockkeeper advice too.
4. Your own experience and skill, coupled with your boat's capability. A few rely on bravado and a sense of adventure, which is unwise.
Quentin Sands, past owner
1991 26C Mrs MacGregor
1993 Mac19, Margarita
Just spoken to Ian at the
Submitted by quentin.sands on
Just spoken to Ian at the marina and our cruise is a non starter - high flow levels. Margarita and crew might try the Yorkshire Ure/Ouse or a few days walking in the Cotswolds ahead of the social. Chris H and Skylar has a plan B that involves launching at Stourton on the Severn and heading south towards Gloucester and the Avon. Chris B was planning to launch later - conditions might be better by then. The marina can accommodate campers and has a shower block. Ian will welcome anyone who wants to see the facilities at the marina during the course of the weekend.
Quentin Sands, past owner
1991 26C Mrs MacGregor
1993 Mac19, Margarita
That's a pity about the river
Submitted by roly.simpson on
That's a pity about the river state and hence the likely lack of any practical launching demonstration.
We will however have time after our lunch to gave a good discussion . Please come armed with questions to it to a panel . Ideally pass them to me at the start . If short of material we can always fall back to the old chestnut of which Macgregor is best? ...M,X,C,S or 19 !
We are going to be 31 for lunch so it Should a great time.....see you there!
Hi All
Submitted by chris.barratt on
Hi All
The Thames is still on red warning so we have decided to postpone our trip. The earliest we can do is 25th September as we have other commitments and Domino will be on the mooring in Swanage June, July and August.
The boat was going to be our accommodation so it has a 'Domino' effect. Without the Thames it's not worth bringing the boat and without the accommodation it's not worth the journey from Swanage.
It would have been lovely to meet you all and we look forward attending another event soon. Thanks for all the help and advice, at least Domino is ready now.
All the best
Chris
Fair enough Chris, things are
Submitted by jonathan.knight on
Fair enough Chris, things are complicated. Miriam has just tested positive for covid so we might come with Miriam isolating in our caravan. I'll do tests to make sure I'm clear and generally keep my distance and possibly mask up. If I test positive I don't think we should come.
Jonathan
Oh dear ,what a pity Chris .
Submitted by roly.simpson on
Oh dear ,what a pity Chris . I was hoping to hatch some plans for South coast saiing this summer. We are staying at the Riverside. Have you tried there?
Roly
PS.. Sorry also to hear about Miriam . Best wishes.
Who's about this evening?
Submitted by michael.buxton on
Who's about this evening?
Weather dependent, I might go for a wander, otherwise loitering in the bar at the New Inn..
Anneke, Chris and myself are
Submitted by liz.healey on
Anneke, Chris and myself are around. See you later in the New Inn
Hi guys, Ros and I have just
Submitted by roly.simpson on
Hi guys, Ros and I have just arrived , staying at the Riverside. What time shall we meet up ?
Roly
I would like to thank all
Submitted by simon.armitage on
I would like to thank all those who worked so hard to make Saturday's event enjoyable and successful. I know it wasn't easy to arrange so many thanks, especially to Roly for managing to book the New Inn and to Liz and Rick for their superb support. Also the intrepid 30+ members who attended. It was great to meet up with old friends and make new ones. This attendance bodes well for our Cardiff Big Mac and the side event at Chichester later this year.
Missed you, Jonathan and Miriam and hope Miriam recovers soon.
Simon
Ditto from Nick and Monica
Submitted by nick.dutton on
Ditto from Nick and Monica (and Riley).
Thanks to everyone for making us so welcome. We're looking forward to seeing more of you on the water sometime soon.
N&M
--
Nick & Monica (2008 M)
I'd be grateful to anyone who
Submitted by quentin.sands on
I'd be grateful to anyone who has any good photos from any part of the social gathering in Lechlade, if they sent them to me at editor@macgregorowners.org.uk or to my phone via WhatsApp- number in members directory. Liz has volunteered a write up but if anyone has some quotable observations, please send them too.
Quentin Sands, past owner
1991 26C Mrs MacGregor
1993 Mac19, Margarita
Hi All
Submitted by chris.barratt on
Hi All
What is the likelihood of another Lechlade event? I would still like to do our planned trip down the Thames but if there is going to be another social it would make sense to wait until then.
All the best
Chris
Hi Chris, no one seems to
Submitted by quentin.sands on
Hi Chris, no one seems to have responded to your question so here goes. My best guess is that there will be another Lechlade social but I wouldn't bank on it; even if there is, it usually happens early Spring so the water levels are unpredictable. Two years ago levels and streams were perfect, last year they were too much - and for some time after the social.
Quentin Sands, past owner
1991 26C Mrs MacGregor
1993 Mac19, Margarita
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