[OSS Oxon] Finalised 'exploratory' swim on the River Thame - Sat 10th July

Bob Bradley rdb at hardybee.com
Thu Jul 8 22:13:18 BST 2010


Hi James

I'm pretty definitely in, and hopefully Wendy will be driving / walking too
but don't wait for us if we're not there - it just means some crisis has
come up with the family!

Would prefer 10 but ahppy with 11 too.

Bob

Bob Bradley
+44 (0) 1993 880 651
+44 (0) 7968 267 658



On 8 July 2010 17:57, Claire Tuckett <clairetuckett at hotmail.com> wrote:

>  Hi James
>
> I've been thinking about coming along, but I have a few things to do in the
> morning and I'm not sure I'm going to make it. Hopefully see you at the pub
> at 11am for a bit of car shuffling, if I'm not there DON'T wait for me cos I
> may have got stuck somewhere.  Hope it goes well, and maybe see you there.
>
> Claire
>
> > Date: Thu, 8 Jul 2010 12:24:02 +0100
>
> > From: james.lowe at datacore.com
> > To: ossoxon at earth.li
> > Subject: Re: [OSS Oxon] Finalised 'exploratory' swim on the River Thame -
> Sat 10th July
>
> >
> > Hello,
> >
> > Had no confirmations from anyone.
> >
> > Did I manage to put you all off!?
> >
> > James
> >
> >
> >
> > On 04/07/2010 10:22, James Lowe wrote:
> > > Hello,
> > >
> > > I went for a second look yesterday.
> > >
> > > I think we should aim for starting at Cuddesdon Mill:
> > >
> > > http://www.multimap.com/s/Mf9UyOf9
> > >
> > > and finish near the pub in Chiselhampton
> > >
> > > http://www.multimap.com/s/Mf8cyBX9
> > >
> > > We can meet at the Pub get changed and then one or more of us can drive
> > > you to the start point, leaving cars in the Pub car park for when you
> > > get back.
> > >
> > > The Pub starts serving at 12:00 so if we start at 10:00 we may get
> there
> > > too early if anyone wants a drink, so perhaps an 11:00 start might be
> > > more preferable to some?
> > >
> > > I'll leave that open - I can do any time but I think earliest at 10:00
> > > gives people a chance to get to the start that want to come.
> > >
> > > I'll say it again, that this is more than likely not going to be a
> > > 'proper' swim, inasmuch as the start point (and finish points) are
> about
> > > a foot deep. Now there is an angling club that fish along its banks
> > > (according to the signs) but that is no guarantee of depth, I didn't do
> > > any swim yesterday and could only see the first and last 50 yards of
> the
> > > route at each end.
> > >
> > > Maybe it gets much deeper, but maybe not.
> > >
> > > I am expecting that large parts of this 'swim' are going to be in a
> > > 'couple of feet' of water (i.e. mainly floating or pulling yourself
> > > along the bottom) which may not appeal to some. I could be wrong, but I
> > > don't want to set any expectation. This is an 'exploratory' swim in the
> > > truest sense, so if the possibility of walking a lot in the water
> > > doesn't appeal or you are looking for a gentle breastroke (or head-down
> > > crawl) swim all the way, this is probably not for you.
> > >
> > > If you are looking for some adventure and a chance to 'trek' about in
> > > the river in the middle of the Oxfordshire Countryside then this is
> > > could be the swim you want.
> > >
> > > So bring footwear that has a reasonably tough sole - swim socks maybe
> > > ok, but they may get ripped if the river bed is particularly
> > > stoney-sharp - as I do expect to be dragging myself out of the water
> and
> > > walking along the river (there will be no real opportunities to get out
> > > on the bank as it is private land along most of the route). If this is
> > > the case you will be getting in and out of the water quite a lot, so
> > > depending on the weather you may want to bring a suit of some kind if
> > > you get cold easily - and again for protection against rubbing your
> body
> > > against a shallow riverbed.
> > >
> > > Finally I also expect that those landowners who own either side of the
> > > river probably don't get much boat traffic (let alone rubber-clad
> > > individuals) in 'their' river so we may also get shouted at, quizzed,
> > > maybe just ignored or we may not meet a soul. So be prepared for minor
> > > confrontation (it has happened to us in the past - usually just being
> > > polite and explaining the 'adventure' or the 'trying to swim as many
> > > rivers in Oxfordshire as we can' has help people at least understand
> > > what we are doing there even if they are still uncomfortable.
> > >
> > > We all know that the legalities of river swimming is a very grey area
> in
> > > England and while I am not intending to do any kind of trespass, people
> > > can be rather defensively aggressive if they think you are 'on their
> > > land' when you are just passing through on the river, so if this makes
> > > you uncomfortable, again, this might not be the swim for you. I don't
> > > expect trouble but you just never know.
> > >
> > > Oh, if I haven't put you off already (or maybe I have whetted your
> > > appetite even more?) I need to just re-iterate that you swim at your
> own
> > > risk. I (or anyone else) will take no responsibility for any bad things
> > > that may happen to you. Swimming in rivers is hazardous and we provide
> > > no safety guarantees. If you do elect to come along you are doing so
> > > based on just that you happen to be joining me for a swim nothing more.
> > > If you are in any doubt, don't get in the river.
> > >
> > > I will post a message here probably Friday just to confirm. If the
> > > weather is really (really) bad I may not go, but a little rain is not
> > > going to stop me. I can pick people up from (and drop back to Didcot or
> > > Culham stations if needed.
> > >
> > > if you have any other questions, don't hesitate to ask.
> > >
> > > James
> > >
> > >
> > > On 30 Jun 2010, at 00:46, davebowen47 at tiscali.co.uk wrote:
> > >
> > >> Am keen to come along, never done anything like this but confident.
> > >> 18th is better for me.
> > >> For future oxon events am able to provide a safety boat on the thames.
> > >> Dave
> > >> Sent from my BlackBerry® smartphone
> > >>
> > >> -----Original Message-----
> > >> From: James Lowe <james.lowe at datacore.com>
> > >> Sender: ossoxon-bounces at earth.li
> > >> Date: Tue, 29 Jun 2010 21:50:04
> > >> To: <ossoxon at earth.li>
> > >> Subject: Re: [OSS Oxon] Proposed 'exploratory' swim on the River Thame
> > >>
> > >> Hello,
> > >>
> > >> Ok let's try to nail this down in terms of dates.
> > >>
> > >> I'd like to do either 10th or the 18th July and then if no one can
> > >> make it 24th. Sooner than later (11th is Big Jump day and 17th is
> > >> another swim for me).
> > >>
> > >> Morning start (say 10am) after another recon this weekend I'll firm up
> > >> where we start and finish.
> > >>
> > >> Probably start here
> > >>
> > >> I know Carl doesn't like it ;) but can we reply-all so those that are
> > >> interested can see what dates the others are preferring?
> > >>
> > >> Remember this will be the first time for all of us so I have no ideas
> > >> about in and out spots, how far/short/fast/deep/shallow/hazardy this
> > >> river is, so if you are in any doubts give this one a miss until 'next
> > >> time' as if it proves fun then no doubt we'll do it again or we'll be
> > >> able to give hints and tips to those that want them.
> > >>
> > >> James
> > >>
> > >>
> > >> On 29 Jun 2010, at 20:34, Jaime Tinker wrote:
> > >>
> > >>> Hi there,
> > >>>
> > >>> Not new to outdoor swimming but am to swimming in Oxfordshire. The
> > >>> exploratory swim sounds right up my alley and I've driven past it
> > >>> numerous times and considered it. I'm central Oxford and can provide
> > >>> transport for 3 others if needed.
> > >>>
> > >>> I have a fairly flexible few weekends except 17th/18th July. Were
> > >>> you thinking of any dates in particular?
> > >>>
> > >>> Cheers,
> > >>> Jaime
> > >>>
> > >>>> Date: Mon, 28 Jun 2010 18:56:16 +0100
> > >>>> From: james.lowe at datacore.com
> > >>>> To: ossoxon at earth.li
> > >>>> Subject: [OSS Oxon] Proposed 'exploratory' swim on the River Thame
> > >>>>
> > >>>> Hello,
> > >>>>
> > >>>> I have done some scouting about and around the Thame between Great
> > >>>> Milton and where it eventually joins the Thames proper at Dorchester
> > >>>> looking for a new and interesting swim.
> > >>>>
> > >>>> I have come up with a speculative route (it could be done 'in one'
> > >>> or
> > >>>> split into two parts) which I'll list below, however I have no
> > >>> idea if
> > >>>> the river in the proposed part is
> > >>>>
> > >>>> i. Deep enough to swim on all the way down
> > >>>> ii. What the hazards are (if any)
> > >>>>
> > >>>> There is no foot path that runs along side all the way like the
> > >>> Thames,
> > >>>> but there are some parts where a foot path does come along side.
> > >>>>
> > >>>> So this isn't really something I'd be comfortable doing with 'new
> > >>>> comers' or those that don't know their own limits - so if you need
> > >>> to
> > >>>> get out, how far you are from 'civilization' in case of cold or if
> > >>> you
> > >>>> are nervous and would only want to swim part of it as there are no
> > >>> foot
> > >>>> paths etc.
> > >>>>
> > >>>> It isn't that long in terms of distance (no longer say than many
> > >>> of the
> > >>>> swims we have done in the past - Buscot - Kelmscott for example)
> > >>> but as
> > >>>> I simply cannot walk this swim prior to attempting it, I just am not
> > >>>> sure how long it will take.
> > >>>>
> > >>>> Hopefully I haven't scared you all off and wondered if any of you
> > >>> would
> > >>>> be interested in having a go, with me on this. We would need a
> > >>> couple of
> > >>>> cars (I have one) for the start/finish as walking back would be
> > >>> along a
> > >>>> busy road and because of the lack of paths quite long.
> > >>>>
> > >>>> One spot does finish at the pub so it isn't all bleak.
> > >>>>
> > >>>> I wanted to try to get in the lesser known rivers of Oxofordshire
> > >>> this
> > >>>> year and having done a big chunk of the River Windrush already in
> > >>> stages
> > >>>> (which has been a 'hoot-an-a-half' so far) thought this might be a
> > >>> good
> > >>>> one too.
> > >>>>
> > >>>> I didn't want to advertise this as an OSS Social because I don't
> > >>> think
> > >>>> this is really one for those that want to get head down and hammer
> > >>> along
> > >>>> nor for those that just want a gentle plod (at least not until it
> > >>> has
> > >>>> been swam once and then we will all have a better idea).
> > >>>>
> > >>>> Here is are the proposed spots:
> > >>>>
> > >>>> Here is a good start point
> > >>>>
> > >>>> http://www.multimap.com/s/Mf9UyOf9
> > >>>>
> > >>>> You can park the car about 20 yards in a lay-by and get in at the
> > >>>> bridge. Maybe two cars max, it is a bit remote.
> > >>>>
> > >>>> http://www.multimap.com/s/OZ5Q0JSB is a possible in/out point
> > >>> although
> > >>>> Parking here is awkward as the river is in the grounds of the
> > >>> manor and
> > >>>> although the foot path goes through it, there is a 'no parking'
> > >>> rule in
> > >>>> force, it might be tricky to leave a car here, you could leave it
> > >>> at the
> > >>>> end of the lane but even that is awkward and quite far away.
> > >>>>
> > >>>> So we could swim on then to here:
> > >>>>
> > >>>> http://www.multimap.com/s/Mf8cyBX9
> > >>>>
> > >>>> A nice easy pub-by-the-river in/out point.
> > >>>>
> > >>>> A bit further up is another easy in/out and park in lay-by here:
> > >>>> http://www.multimap.com/s/Mb4T5CRC
> > >>>>
> > >>>> then finally get out at the bottom of a lane here:
> > >>>>
> > >>>> http://www.multimap.com/s/Na5f3JTD
> > >>>>
> > >>>> You can park the car easily here - maybe a 2 minute walk.
> > >>>>
> > >>>> The river is quite high at the moment, but it is a smallish one
> > >>> (about
> > >>>> the size of the windrush at its largest) and I am not sure about
> > >>> depth
> > >>>> all the way down, but it is a nice 'in the open and away from it
> > >>> all' swim.
> > >>>>
> > >>>> There are a variety of paths that run alongside some of it and criss
> > >>>> cross in places, so at a push we can get out legally.
> > >>>>
> > >>>> Any one up for this?
> > >>>>
> > >>>> James (aka Adam Smith)
> > >>>>
> > >>>> _______________________________________________
> > >>>> OSS Oxon mailing list
> > >>>> OSSOxon at earth.li
> > >>>> http://www.earth.li/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/ossoxon
> > >>>>
> > >>>> Please note that OSS Oxon exists to put swimmers in touch with
> > >>> other swimmers, not to organise swim events or in any way suggest
> > >>> that outdoor swimming is a safe activity or that you should go
> > >>> swimming. If you choose to swim you do so entirely at your own risk
> > >>> and on your own initiative, and any plans you make are your own
> > >>> responsibility.
> > >>>
> > >>> Get a free e-mail account with Hotmail. Sign-up now.
> > >>
> > >>
> > >> _______________________________________________
> > >> OSS Oxon mailing list
> > >> OSSOxon at earth.li
> > >> http://www.earth.li/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/ossoxon
> > >>
> > >> Please note that OSS Oxon exists to put swimmers in touch with other
> > >> swimmers, not to organise swim events or in any way suggest that
> > >> outdoor swimming is a safe activity or that you should go swimming. If
> > >> you choose to swim you do so entirely at your own risk and on your own
> > >> initiative, and any plans you make are your own responsibility.
> > >
> > >
> > > _______________________________________________
> > > OSS Oxon mailing list
> > > OSSOxon at earth.li
> > > http://www.earth.li/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/ossoxon
> > >
> > > Please note that OSS Oxon exists to put swimmers in touch with other
> > > swimmers, not to organise swim events or in any way suggest that
> outdoor
> > > swimming is a safe activity or that you should go swimming. If you
> > > choose to swim you do so entirely at your own risk and on your own
> > > initiative, and any plans you make are your own responsibility.
> > >
> >
> > _______________________________________________
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> > OSSOxon at earth.li
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> >
> > Please note that OSS Oxon exists to put swimmers in touch with other
> swimmers, not to organise swim events or in any way suggest that outdoor
> swimming is a safe activity or that you should go swimming. If you choose to
> swim you do so entirely at your own risk and on your own initiative, and any
> plans you make are your own responsibility.
>
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> Please note that OSS Oxon exists to put swimmers in touch with other
> swimmers, not to organise swim events or in any way suggest that outdoor
> swimming is a safe activity or that you should go swimming. If you choose to
> swim you do so entirely at your own risk and on your own initiative, and any
> plans you make are your own responsibility.
>
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