Thames - Windsor

Having sheltered at lovely moorings for the weekend at Runnymede,  deciding to stay clear while the weekenders  showboated up and down the river in their huge 'Gin palaces', and boy, was it busy with them. We woke to yet another glorious sunny and warm morning, and set off for Windsor.

After being surprised at how quiet the Thames was last week, we found ourselves in a convoy of narrowboats this morning, so much so that when we reached 'Old Windsor Lock' some were denied access as the chamber was full.

Some of these locks are catching us out with such strong flow forcing the boat out from the chamber side, while others give a very gentle rise with little or no effort to contain the boat with forward and aft ropes. Never mind, it is still a novelty to have all the operation taken care of by lockkeepers.

Having arrived at Windsor we struggled to see where the official visitor moorings actually were. Its all very well having guide books that say where they are, but some of them are very hard to spot. Thank goodness I have got my binoculars handy to look at the small signs as we cruise by, most of which seem to say 'No Mooring'. Finally we moored outside a café by 'deadwater ait', there were no signs to say it was public mooring but we tied up anyway. After having a coffee, we walked further along the mooring and found a small sign stating that it was the leisure centre mooring and we should pay the attendant on request, or go to the leisure centre and make payment of £8. Well no attendant has come so far, and it is now 18:50hr so its looking good.

We enjoyed the sites of Windsor and explored the town centre. A very vibrant town full of various eateries and shops, including a large 'Waitrose'

The Watts at Windsor