Seagull 'Wind down' meeting

[John@sos]

Hello All,

back by popular demand the Canal run in Essex. 'Wind down' through the locks with us! An end of season run. Sunday 7th October from 0900. A chance to get all those vintage motors out for a run.

This year we are being allowed to work the rather different lock gates, (Different to normal UK canal locks), but only after some of us go on a training and familiarisation course!!!

We are intending running up towards Chelmsford through several locks for lunch at a pub nearby, the 'Fox and Raven' Chelmer Village. This part of the canal runs through a part of Essex no one has ever associated with white slingback shoes and fake tans! A well kept secret....

On our return we hope to have a debriefing and prize ceremony over coffee and cakes at Paper Mill lock tea rooms whilst we wait for the public to leave, so we can get cars back to the slip.

Have already got Darian and myself with 'Seagull' again and brother in law Keith and sister Sue with their GP14, any more takers.?

There will be a £15.00 per boat fee for using the canal and locks, (launching free courtesy of SOS.).

Lets hope for an Indian summer!
John

[Keith.P]

Count me in.
This is one outing I'm able to do, so have been looking forward to this one.

[dandrews]

Count me in (and hopefully 1 other).

SJM555R6 on Seago 2.3m inflatable.

David.

[John@sos]

Cannot guarantee a distillery at the end of the Essex jaunt!

More the merrier though!

John
SOS

[Ajs]

Hi John,

You can count Richard and I in. Looking forward to it!

Cheers,
Andrew

[John@sos]

Hello folks,

just over 2 weeks to go to the Essex Event, I have 6 boats so far, maybe seven, anyone else coming? just like to tell the canal manager a week beforehand. full details on the Events page on the website.

We have visited the Miller and Carter Steak house and they are able to serve a bar snack from the starters menu, and a pint in the bar! would like to know in advance how many may be dropping in as they wil be busy with sunday lunches... However if anyone wishes to take a picnic and look after the boats whilst we are walking up the road, that would be fine, though off the beaten track we will be leaving boats beside a footpath, so secure everything if no one staying... volenteers as security ?

I am out boating this weekend, the weather looks to be good, just hope for a fine dry day on the canal!

Regards,
John
SOS

[Oyster 49]

Sorry I can't attend, on holiday.Shame as it would have been a good trip for the FV

[John@sos]

Yes,

it would be good for any Vintage motor, fresh water to clean out the waterways and not too far to drift if you run out of go! However there is a speed limit, so you might feel frustrated at 4 knots!

See you at hayling next year!

Regards,
John
SOS

[Horsley-Anarak]

I will be able to come, might be on my own.

Will bring an older engine, not sure which boat, if any one wants a ride I can bring the bigger boat, if not it will be the kids boat.

Let me know if anyone wants a ride, Charles L are you taking a boat?

H-A

[John@sos]

Hello all,

just to say I have been in contact with the Canal Manager and all organised for our arrival Sunday morning.
Parking in main car park and portable boats straight up to the bank through the canal side gate in the car park as before.

Larger craft that are to be launched from trailers to be man handled into yard beside cafe and launched then trailers moved back to main car park. Larger boats that need to be towed into the slip will need to be escorted as they reverse to slip and again, once boat launched cars and trailers to main car park, (lock your trailers!).

The Miller and Carter in Chelmsford are primed and expecting us in the lounge/bar area for bar snacks. 300 yd walk from lock... Dress code is smart casual, so I suggested we may be wearing designer oilskins and very expensive life jackets, think they swallowed that!. We have a volenteer or two to look after the boats at the lock whilst we nip to the pub.

Time will be of the essense for this trip as it is approx 7 miles with several locks. The locks take a while... and there is a very different and rigid proceedure for using locks. 4 of us have had to do a lock course! (and we have all done hundreds of miles on inland waters.. but this canal is different!)

Launching 0900 to 1000 (Cafe open for Teas and coffees etc!) set off to arrive Chelmsford by 1230 if we can, leave to return by 1330 and back by 1600. coffe and cake then recover boats to be out by 1700 when they lock the gates.....

If we run into difficulties with timing we may have to cancel the pub, so a sandwiches as emergency rations may be a good idea!

Weather looks to be better than expected, though not the heat wave we had last year! i shal have the brolly aboard. got 4 or five on board, butcould make room for another 1 or 2 if anyone else fancies a ride out!

don't forget, enough fuel, lifejackets and wet weather gear, mooring lines for use in locks and towing Charles back . Well behaved dogs welcome of course!

Fee £15.00 a boat. SOS will pay the launch fee.

See you on the Canal Sunday.

regards,
John
SOS

[John@sos]

Warning!!!!

The River Chelmer is in flood. The Event must be cancelled!!!!

Due to last nights heavy rain the locks have been closed and navigation restricted. The flow between locks is now too fast and as the heavy overnight rain did not finish till 0500 this morning the rain water from the upper reaches will not get to Paper Mill till tonight and tomorrow.

At this stage I feel it is safer and better to cancel. I do not want people towing boats miles only to find the place is flooded. Sadly when we have the amount of rain that we have had recently, and especialy last night, it often is flooded, even the roads impassable.

If you know of anyone coming to the event that may not read this can you please contact them.

sorry this will be a disapointment to many. not least Darian and the grandchildren, who have all been looking forward to it....

contact me if you need more info.. 01621 778859

Regards,
john
SOS