Before we set off, Andrew walked to a nearby corner shop for a paper. It was a much better day, with a clear blue sky and some warmth in the sun. It did not last and from mid-afternoon onwards it was rather wet.
Rowers were out already as we crossed over to the lock. The flow on the river together with the complex currents made it an interesting short trip!
The locks at the stage are still quite large - some of them can pack a lots of boats in the season but most today we were on our own. The keeper at a later lock suggested that it took over a million gallons to fill. Looking at the weirs, however, showed that we were in no danger of draining the river this time!
All day we passed a succession of small islands, some little more than enough for a single house and only separated by a narrow stream. Just had to take care that we did not head up an unnavigable backwater by mistake.
After seeing some fairly ill-kempt houseboats earlier on this trip, this one was rather high spec.
Although we have recognised some former lifeboats before, Christine decided that the colour of this one justified awarding it the Unusual Boats accolade.
Most of the bridges across the Thames are quite elegant - especially on a sunny morning.
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| Chertsey Lock |
The level in our fuel tank is at the stage when we really ought to find a top up and at Penton Hook we thought about finding the marina but it is some distance up a side arm. The lock keeper suggested we would find it easier to call at Windsor marina where the pump is alongside the river.
Just above Penton Hook lock a work boat was clearing debris from the barrier protecting the top of the weir - some substantial items there!
Houses built along the river are lifted off the ground level to give some protection against floods. Of course, this winter tested many of these assumptions but it seems that new builds have to make even greater provision.
Above Staines, this boat seems to have not yet made it back into the water after its flood-driven trip ashore.
On Bell Weir, above the lock, someone's fridge is looking for a rescue.
Steamboat Willie?
At Runneymede will pulled in to moor up for lunch, just opposite the Magna Carta Memorial.
By the time we we off again, the sky had clouded over and before long light rain arrived which eventually graduated to a continuous drizzle. Old Windsor Lock has three lock cottages. In the 1920's and 30's, most of the older cottages - one here was dated to 1871 - were replaced with a standard design. Only recently have the Environment Agency started to sell these off as automation reduces the need for prmanent on-site staff to control the weirs which have to be adjusted as the levels go up and down.
As we passed through Windsor we were right below the flight path of planes coming in to Heathrow - a continuous stream from all over the world, this one from Quatar.
As we passed the edge of the Windsor Castle estate, signs display dire warnings about what would happen to any who was so presuming as to land on the Crown Estate! A day late for birthday greetings, however.
All day we had struggled against the current of water coming down the river. Our speed over the ground was often around 2.5 - 2.7 mph, little different from progress on some of the shallower canals. Just before Romney Lock we came under a railway bridge where it was especially slow progress. The force of the water against the bridge pillars could be seen.
Windsor Food bank for swans? All day breakfast for swans?
Just after the centre of Windsor is the best view of the castle - which shows just how much it dominates the town.
The next bridge is having work done on it which reduces the headroom. Not a problem for us but an on-coming trip boat had to care very considerable care to ensure that, with the current, it lined up with the narrow section that allowed it to pass underneath, with not a lot to spare.
A Malaysia Airline A380 lined up to approach for its landing, dwarfing all the others which were flying overhead.
From here on we had a lot of rowers to contend with, mostly wearing Eton Blue (more like green) even though we did not get a good view of the college from the river.
At Boveney Lock, the keeper set the lock but then went off duty so it was on to self service from here.
This lock also has very prominent boat rollers rather than the simpler portages elsewhere - no doubt much appreciated in last week's DW race.
We had another boat rescue: we could see a hire holiday cruiser in difficulties and then a man in the water near the bank opposite the footpath. We enquired and he very much wanted to be rescued. the boat had lost power and steering and he had volunteered to go into the water the push it away from the bank. But then he lost all contact with the boat - we could not see how he could have climbed aboard anyway - as it drifted across to the other side. It was with some difficulty that we eventually picked him up and then nudged the boat the side. By then they discovered that whatever problem they had had was now resolved and we left them to carry on with their cruise. They were grateful for the assistance and even handed over a bottle of Bucks Fizz, which we later enjoyed with our meal. Thanks guys!
We were now keen to make as much progress as possible, having worked out that we have a tight schedule ahead of us if we are to reach Caversham by mid day on Friday. we continued into the wet and gathering gloom, failing a couple of times to find a fuel point which was open.
Not all riverside house are as elegant as others! this one looked decidedly unloved.
We eventually moored, close on 7 o'clock, just below Maidenhead Railway Bridge. We did not know beforehand that this is supposed to be at £8 a night so we will just have to see if anyone comes to collect before we leave in the morning.
19.8 miles - 8 locks
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