Problems at Old Windsor Lock and we nearly get squeezed

Friday, 15 July 2011 22:00

So we "did" Windsor in one day! Perhaps we will go back on our way upstream.

Leaving our mooring at Windsor's Alexandra Gardens

Little did we know that the glorious hot day would have problems .....

We progressed (as Royalty does) downstream, through Romney Lock and down past Windsor Castle's Home Park. What a lovely wide River Thames and lovely views across the park, in between the trees.

Windsor Castle over Home Park

Victoria Bridge, with its companion, Albert Bridge, begin and end the long stretch of Royal bank-side. There is no mooring and the signs say "The Crown Estate, No Landing or Mooring" and more sinisterly "This is a protected site under section 128 of the Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005. Trespass on this site is a criminal offence". OK -  we get the message.

Looking upstream from what I think was Queen Victoria's Boat House and cottage

We called in at Kris Cruisers, Dachet as we had a dud battery (the back cabin stank of bad eggs this morning - a clue to this problem) and had the others checked. All fine, but we will need to get a new battery. Fortunately they are still under warranty.

I took the opportunity to hop off and go and collect my prescription from the excellent Dachet Village Pharmacy.

Arriving at Old Windsor Lock, we joined a queue of boats - there were divers inspecting the lock so we all had to wait. It was very hot and some had the wine bottles out, but I made a cuppa! It's surprising how many boaters still drink and drive.

Old Windsor Lock from below

Just over an hour later, we were in the second lock-full to go down. The Lock Keeper said he would try and "squeeze us in". You can see what he meant in this photo below.

In Old Windsor Lock

For the final bit of our cruise we passed through arguably the most important site in the UK's history, Runnymede. It is most likely that King John signed the Magna Carta in 1215 at Runnymede - the basis for our democracy, laws, equality and freedom. The exact place is up for dispute. A stone in Magna Carta Cottage on Magna Carta Island may have been the actual place, but the memorial is on the other side of the River Thames and where all the tourists go to soak up the history.

Magna Carta Cottage

Runnymede is also home to the Air Forces Memorial and the John F Kennedy Memorial.

Runnymede riverside

We found a mooring just below Runnymede, above Bell Weir Lock. It is free for the first 24 hours and then £5/night up to 72 hours (then £50). How sensible, we would not mind paying £5, if we choose to stay longer.

River Thames, Windsor to above Bell Weir Lock
1 hour 57 minutes, 5,88 miles, 2 locks