Forum Topic

Very low tides imminent? Chance to walk across the Thames?

There's a big Moon this week and there's chat around saying that the tides will be "high" on the one hand...and "very low" on the other.Sometimes near the London Apprentice pub in Old Isleworth the River Thames tide level looks so low it looks possible to cross. Is this the year in 20 that it could be done?

Jim Lawes ● 4014d34 Comments

When I had a small open boat, I used to launch it from the hard near The London Apprentice Jim and explore the Thames to Chelsea and Richmond the other way. But I've never seen the Thames at Brentford so low - great photos Jim, thanks for posting. Yes a lot used to go on around Brentford - happy days.

Gerry Tan ● 4011d

Isleworth Ait... goodbye for now.

Jim Lawes ● 4011d

Thanks both for your jollity!  Why I got excited by that challenge I'll never know..but one recalls that some 9 years ago Thames21 and Forum members helped clean up the Brentford Embankment so that old Father Thames could have an easier time. Memories on being down on the muddy shores of the River Thames are easy to recall..well the nicer bits. I recall Nigel Moore was the ring-leader.You mentioned the attractive Summerhouse facing the river Susan...well I believe that property together with Riverside House was occupied by the late Lord (Ian) Gilmore and his wife. He was once our Foreign Secretary.They had a surprise when Corcorde came along Park Avenue on roller skates some time back on it's journey by barge to Scotland...and then there was the convoy of redundant Guinness Beer Vats that were on their way to Africa.Lot's happens around these Brentford, Ealing and Chiswick parts!

Jim Lawes ● 4011d

Some great stuff, Jim. God, I love that house by the river there at Isleworth, and the summer house that appears in your photo. If ever I win the lottery ...

Susan Kelly ● 4012d

Gosh Jim, you had us all in suspense - on tenterhooks! We waitwed for you to cross the dreaded stream! Not for a laugh, but to applaud your bravery!

Gerry Tan ● 4012d

After an hour's wait for the river to drain as far as it could.... at 3.05pm the tide started to rise again and,at the time, it would have become an underwater challenge.I wasn't dressed for that! Nonetheless I enjoyed the hour on the riverbank and feel sorry for the spectators who were wanting to have a good laugh!

Jim Lawes ● 4012d

Even riverside climbed the wall to get a better view!

Jim Lawes ● 4012d

More spectators assembled on my car...

Jim Lawes ● 4012d

Now buzz off..I don't want anyone to laugh at me!

Jim Lawes ● 4012d

A crowd began to gather to watch the spectacle...

Jim Lawes ● 4012d

The tide is still going downstream towards Kew Bridge... the muddy walk could still be on!

Jim Lawes ● 4012d

Notwithstanding another raincloud burst and my own shortcomings Susan....the muddy trek to the Isleworth Ait looked quite promising.

Jim Lawes ● 4012d

It'll be fine. I can confirm that Jim is at least a metre tall.

Susan Kelly ● 4012d

Thankfully the downpour has stopped.Thames emptyind fast I can see the Surrey bank.Lots of birds have come to wafch.

Jim Lawes ● 4012d

One metre higher, Richard.?I'm on the case!

Jim Lawes ● 4012d

"So it'll be a foot shallower at 2am ish tonight than at 2pm tomorrow (Thursday)"Yes, that's the prediction for London Bridge, and the Richmond prediction is similar.However, the Richmond gauge recorded the actual low tide last night as up to a metre higher than the prediction.

Richard Jennings ● 4012d

The Brentford Dock Residents have just posted this in cyberspace. Perhaps I should take heed.  Anyway I'm walking not swimming!

Jim Lawes ● 4012d

Thanks for that low tide data Richard.thamestides.org.uk/todaybSo it'll be a foot shallower at 2am ish tonight than at 2pm tomorrow (Thursday)(in the daylight!)

Jim Lawes ● 4012d

You won't scare me off with those photos Tim....stakes protruding from the Mogden Mudbed I ask you. And Guy taking the mickey!You've been so supportive Susan and you're invited to any celebratory party!So I'm gearing myself up for the big walk.Hang on... have they moved that whale yet?

Jim Lawes ● 4012d

"And Thursday 02:30 at Brentford is -(minus)0.03metres !!"The time is that of low tide at Brentford, but as explained on the site, the heights are the predictions at London Bridge relative to chart datum there.Today's/tomorrow's tide predictions for Brentford are at thamestides.org.uk/todaybThe water level at Brentford will be influenced by that at Richmond Lock, which has been persistently higher than predicted recently.  The low tide that Susan mentioned was about a metre higher than predicted at Richmond this morning.The current real-time river situation is summarised (with raw data for those who want the nitty-gritty) at thamestides.org.uk/now

Richard Jennings ● 4012d

The Romans forded the Thames somewhere when they invaded, didn't they?

Susan Kelly ● 4012d

Am I wrong or does the third picture down show a fossilised pike just waiting for Jim to walk by so it can wake up from its slumbers?

Guy Lambert ● 4013d

Some good snaps in the set athttp://www.fluidr.com/photos/thamesdiscovery/sets/72157624383577918It seems to be that the fish trap stakes have been radiocarbon dated to 700 AD or thereabouts !

Tim Henderson ● 4013d

I remember a few years ago when tides were low that people were commenting that there were sharp stakes visible and there was speculation that it was either remains from a fish trap or deterrents to stop the Legions fording the river !!Watch out on your journey, Jim.

Tim Henderson ● 4013d

Bless you Gerry!And thanks for all the thread's information and encouragement.Now, I was hoping to activate interest from others (not just me!)to step over the large puddles and wade onto the Surrey Bank...but no-one has come forward so far!It's an opportunity of a lifetime surely :)A minus depth?Wellies might get stuck in the mud...and so walking boots should be fine. However, the tide will no doubt be so low that rescue boats couldn't sail to your aid...they'd be grounded too.Let's mull it over!  Dutch courage required?  I'll phone theLifeboat at Chiswick!

Jim Lawes ● 4013d

Having met Jim quite a few times, I think he could walk on water sometimes!

Gerry Tan ● 4013d

"And Thursday 02:30 at Brentford is -(minus)0.03metres !!"A perfect opportunity for Jim to don his jockstrap and sea boots, take a skinful at the Apprentice and go for a midnight stroll to South Kew (Brentford now being North Kew).But who will take the pictures. A video could go viral, a bit like whatever Mogden delicacy Jim picks up through the crack in his sea boots.

Guy Lambert ● 4013d

And Thursday 02:30 at Brentford is -(minus)0.03metres !!http://rjen.me.uk/tides/dailytides2.php?statcode=BRE&startdate=1407884400

Tim Henderson ● 4013d

Richard Jennings' website shows a tide of .01 metres at 1am today.

Susan Kelly ● 4013d

http://www.tidetimes.org.uk/kew-bridge-tide-times#axzz3AEEgpFluAnd look at this picture by the Forum's Jim Linwood of a recent low tide at Brentford.

Jim Lawes ● 4013d

...and just think of the sludge coming down from Mogdon.Our simple pleasures might be thwarted by health and safety!

Jim Lawes ● 4014d

Perhaps a visit to the Apprentice first, for Dutch courage?

Susan Kelly ● 4014d

Maybe I should think again!

Jim Lawes ● 4014d

After you Jim!

Steve Bullman ● 4014d