River Thames on Sunday 10 Feb 08

[CJL]

Just got back from a brilliant day on the Thames. Not too cold and obviously not hot either!!

We launched at Putney Embankment, had lunch in Limehouse Basin at The Narrow - now owned by Gordon Ramsey. Pudding was skipped for the sake of a blast down to the Barrier then we headed back up to Putney only to be greeted by a very high tide spilling over the road. Unfortunately the Embankment did its normal trick and tried to swallow two cars. One narrowly got away but the Corvette wasn't as lucky! See the pictures.

Chris

[CJL]

second set

[The Grocer]

...some interesting shots there.

So SE UK really is sinking. "Beaky" Wright, "Bodge" Parmley et al weren't kidding. (They were geography masters at my place of education*, many, many moons ago).

How long before you can do the return journey by RIB along Fenchurch Street?

Can I book a seat?



* In Chelmsford, as you ask. And no, I won't miss Chelmsford either...

[ADS]

Good photos, best place for a Corvette too!

[grimesrfg]

I took a maiden voyage on my new rib from Twickenham to the Barrier on Feb 17th (still cold)... had an interesting chat with the river police given they had never seen me before. They take details of you and your vessel so they can identify you next time.. all to do with the terrorism act.

I can also totaly dispell the rumour about a speed limit after Wandsworth bridge, there is none but obviousy need to behave in terms of wash.

Last observation is what is it with the rowers (have a feeling I shouldn't go there), I stayed well clear and slow but still got a "who do you think you are" from some crazed lunatic who thought he had the Queen Mary instead of a row boat!

[John Kennett]

Originally Posted by grimesrfg

Last observation is what is it with the rowers (have a feeling I shouldn't go there), I stayed well clear and slow but still got a "who do you think you are" from some crazed lunatic who thought he had the Queen Mary instead of a row boat!

Be aware that rowers are permitted to be on the "wrong" side of the river in some circumstances, although in these cases they should keep as close into the shore as possible. Lots of detail here: http://www.portoflondon.co.uk/pdfs/m...-_printers.pdf

More navigation information that's worth a read on the PLA web site here: http://www.portoflondon.co.uk/displa...ite/recreation

In practice, all you can do is drive responsibly and cause as little inconvenience as possible. Bear in mind that you wake might look rather different from a rower's perspective!

Having said that, there do seem to be a significant number of rowers who think the river exists purely for their benefit. Best just to ignore them.

John

[ribit]

Originally Posted by ADS

Good photos, best place for a Corvette too!

Having lived with Vetts for more than 10 years but not any more you are very misguided they spank most cars, although as Clarkson points out the interiors are just not up to the Euro motors but on price there ain't allot to beat them, that s the latest a C6...wait till their new C6 ZR-1 comes out

Actually you could be right water is the place in the UK for the small block engine and 90% will be found their...if you have not dribbled over the sound of many boats V8's then you should be in an engine less environment like a canoe

[ADS]

Originally Posted by ribit

Having lived with Vetts for more than 10 years but not any more you are very misguided they spank most cars, although as Clarkson points out the interiors are just not up to the Euro motors but on price there ain't allot to beat them, that s the latest a C6...wait till their new C6 ZR-1 comes out

Actually you could be right water is the place in the UK for the small block engine and 90% will be found their...if you have not dribbled over the sound of many boats V8's then you should be in an engine less environment like a canoe

They newer ones are better I agree and they are great value for money, like you say would kill most cars in a straightline, im not sure on the corners though.
I also agree the interiors are the main let down, but then thats always the case with American cars.
Im a petrol head so I certainly wouldn't want to be in an engineless environment I just wouldn't buy a Corvette, i would probably go with an Exige for similar money, obviously not as fast but im more interested in road holding.

[ribit]

I would agree a Lotus Elise/ Exige is a great car for the Uk's smaller roads and overpriced petrol costs, a number of my friends have run them and they have been great fun, in some way on our overcrowded roads with a 70mph limit it seems antisocial to drive a super car and pointless...maybe it's only value is driving around slowly with it's top off screaming look at me like they do in Monte-Carlo...a Vett in it's native homeland and in Europe would be a much better proposition