An exploration of the River Quaggy...

[TopCat]

My gf's house in Hither Green has a charming stretch of the river Quaggy backing onto her garden and this summer I intend to explore the river and get a better feel for it and make a documentry type film.

The plan is to walk many areas of the river at low water and juxtapose this tranquil little wander with footage to be gained from a head cam whilst shooting down the river into the river ravensbourne then into the Thames via Deptford Creek in a very small boat during an Autumnal storm.

The river Quaggy itself is beautiful and has been restored at great cost and with much imagination. The flow goes from 3 inches deep to 5 feet deep and raging (during a storm).

To carry out this project (which will be made into a shortish film) I need;

• A head cam
• Crew (must be able to swim and have little appreciation of extreeme danger).

I have a suitable boat and will be able to get the lifejackets or ring your mum and apologise if you drown.

If you don't fancy getting wet or being spat into the Thames like a cork out of a bottle then perhaps you could be stationed along the river at strategic points to film my progress and no doubt yell sardonic comments at me?

This is going to be a right laugh...

Applicants for position of first mate please indicate below.

 

[zenie]

I'm not sure I trust you in charge of a boat - I do have some info from the Environment Agency on the river quaggy if you want it though

 

[zoltan]

Do you need any Pirates ?

aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaarrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

 

[TopCat]

It's a very small boat. But perfectly formed. The only really exciting bit wil be Deptford Creek into the Thames. The cross currents can be dodgy but with care and planning (or just a few spliffs and four cans of Holsten) it should be possible to catch an ebb tide and get out at Greenwich at the Trafalgar pub. That's the plan anyroad.

I'm getting excited....

 

[TopCat]

A cheap headcam is a must and it has to be waterproof, no point doing this without lots of first person footage.

I do not need priates per see, but will consider draping a Jolly Roger around my head...

 

[hipipol]

Suspect you haven't surveyed the Quagy properly
Where it meets the Ravensbourne, just by Lewisham Sataion there are large numbers of lumpy metal things - shopping trolleys, beds, whole car and truck wheels - even in a storm not sure about the likely survival rate
As for Deptford Creek watch out for all the rotting hulks and even more of the lumpy metal stuff.
Sounds interesting though
I am happy to be part of the on Bank crew that follow you down!!!

 

[TopCat]

Suspect you haven't surveyed the Quagy properly
Where it meets the Ravensbourne, just by Lewisham Sataion there are large numbers of lumpy metal things - shopping trolleys, beds, whole car and truck wheels - even in a storm not sure about the likely survival rate
As for Deptford Creek watch out for all the rotting hulks and even more of the lumpy metal stuff.
Sounds interesting though
I am happy to be part of the on Bank crew that follow you down!!!

My step dada begged me to do more research. He envisioned me getting stuck in a under bridge grate and coming to a watery demise. That said he is now a pensioner and very risk adverse, not like when he was younger and he was scrapping with a water balliff whilst encouraging me to leg it!

I will walk as much of the river as possible to check for underwater obstructiondnand will do the same in Lewisham on the Ravensbourne and as much of Deptford creek as I can reach by foot.

I think the obstructions in Lewisham in the Ravensbourne have all been removed now?

Oh if gloworm noticies this thread it's dead safe this project, honest injun.

 

[littlebabyjesus]

My step dada begged me to do more research. He envisioned me getting stuck in a under bridge grate and coming to a watery demise. That said he is now a pensioner and very risk adverse, not like when he was younger and he was scrapping with a water balliff whilst encouraging me to leg it!

I will walk as much of the river as possible to check for underwater obstructiondnand will do the same in Lewisham on the Ravensbourne and as much of Deptford creek as I can reach by foot.

I think the obstructions in Lewisham in the Ravensbourne have all been removed now?

Oh if gloworm noticies this thread it's dead safe this project, honest injun.

Don't know what it's like now, but the last time I was at Elverson Road dlr station (over a year ago now, mind you), the river was indeed full of detritus including several shopping trolleys from the nearby Tesco.

But they've been doing up the park there so, maybe it's been cleaned out.

 

[TopCat]

It's a good idea innit though? Like you could recommened to gloworm that she allows me access and should not worry too much?

 

[littlebabyjesus]

It's a good idea innit though? Like you could recommened to gloworm that she allows me access and should not worry too much?

It's a mad idea, but it could just work. I'd want a look at every inch of the way before doing it.

Are you planning to wear a buoyancy aid in case you fall in? When I was at school, I went canoeing down some rapids in the River Wye. Not being very proficient canoeists, a bunch of us gave up on the idea of paddling down and just launched ourselves into the current in our buoyancy aids. We were spewed down the rapids and flung into the calm water below. We could then swim to the shore and walk back up to do it again.

Great fun.

Dunno if I'm helping you with the missis, though.

 

[TopCat]

I'm going to do lots more research, much more than a quick glimpse over a bridge by a pub and away.

 

[DeadManWalking]

I have explored Deptford creek, not on purpose mind.

 

[TopCat]

I have explored Deptford creek, not on purpose mind.

Please elucidate.

 

[DeadManWalking]

I fell in!

 

[TopCat]

Blimey! Did you get swept out to Greenwich or just got a bit muddy?

 

[littlebabyjesus]

Blimey! Did you get swept out to Greenwich or just got a bit muddy?

For some, a terrible story of human folly and loose paving stones.

For Top Cat, an invaluable test case.

 

[TopCat]

For some, a terrible story of human folly and loose paving stones.

For Top Cat, an invaluable test case.

It's important in life to learn from others experiences....

The more I consider this whole idea the more excited I become. Growing old disgracefully or something.

 

[DeadManWalking]

I just got a bit wet, luckily the tide was in otherwise I could have been badly injured.

Your plan sounds like fun though.

 

[TopCat]

Your plan sounds like fun though.

<I smell crew>

Fancy meeting up in Lee for a couple of bevvies this Autumn?

 

[newbie]

this sounds great, I'll stand on the bank and get the long shot of intrepid hero meets shopping trolley.


there was a prog on R4 recently with a very enthusiastic EA bloke going on about what a wonder the Quaggy is.

 

[TopCat]

When a storm happens, the flow goes from 3 inches deep to five foot and raging in 20 mins flat. I think I will be above all obstructions in the dinghy but will walk the route completely at low tide to be sure their are no under tunnel/bridge grates that could prove tricky.

 

[DeadManWalking]

<I smell crew>

Fancy meeting up in Lee for a couple of bevvies this Autumn?

Definitely be up for it, let me know when, as I have almost drowned in the creek I think I have the experience.

 

[Andy the Don]

This may be of help, the Quaggy (great name for a river BTW) starts out in Sundridge & follows the A2212 through Grove Park, Lee, Hither Green & then via Lewisham town centre out to Deptford Creek. Goes through two parks (Manor House Gardens & Manor Park)..

To help you find your way...

 

[TopCat]

Ladies and Gentlemen...

Definitely be up for it, let me know when, as I have almost drowned in the creek I think I have the experience.

<Bangs Deadmanwalking on the head and lowers him into dinghy>.

We have crew!!!

I will make it as safe as is possible. Pity you are a big fella, we will fit one way or another though....

 

[zoltan]

http://www.qwag.org.uk/home/?PHPSESSID=24ebadb4a30076611571bddbc1c9c005

 

[DeadManWalking]

<Bangs Deadmanwalking on the head and lowers him into dinghy>.

We have crew!!!

I will make it as safe as is possible. Pity you are a big fella, we will fit one way or another though....

Is it a boat you have or an inflatable dingy?

 

[TopCat]

Is it a boat you have or an inflatable dingy?

I have a dinghy but it is a bit old and after looking at the relatively cheap cost of a bit bigger one that is like, new, I think I will get another. Then we can both fit easily.

The real issue is the head cam. I have found one but it costs a bit. I don't want to eat into the necessary budget for charles and so on.

 

[Moggy]

How many crew are you after anyways?

 

[TopCat]

If you fancy it Moggy then we could one of these and all squeeze in....

Moggy is in the middle!

Then does that make me or DMW the bird on the left?

 

[DeadManWalking]

I have a dinghy but it is a bit old and after looking at the relatively cheap cost of a bit bigger one that is like, new, I think I will get another. Then we can both fit easily.

The real issue is the head cam. I have found one but it costs a bit. I don't want to eat into the necessary budget for charles and so on.

A headcam could be a problem, can't think of anyone I know to ask at the moment.