From paid mooring to rough mooring on the Thames

Tuesday, 27 September 2011 08:09

It was time to move from Windsor - we did not want to pay for another day! 

But first we had a couple of things to do ......

We had seen on the net that the Semi-State apartments were open at Windsor Castle. As we had a ticket that allows us to return for a year, we "popped" over to have a look. We went early as we had some shopping to do and wanted to be away by 12.00 as the mooring charges run from 12 noon to 12 noon the next day. 

The Semi-State apartments are the private rooms of George IV and are richly decorated in reds, greens and gold. Photography is not allowed in the State apartments so you will just have to visit yourself! Take it from us - the rooms are magnificent. 

Private entrance to State Apartments at Windsor castle

We were back at Epiphany in good time after our top-up shop in Waitrose and so we left Windsor feeling that we had just about done everything we wanted to.

Barry's Cafe at the Alexandra Gardens moorings opposite the Brocas

We wound our way under the Railway Bridge and the Bypass Bridge and on past the race course. There was a River Thames trip boat behind us - but they were not nearly so busy as they had been over the weekend.

Trip boat passing the race course landing staithe

Boveney Lock was our target - there is a sani-station and rubbish bins below on the right and water on the lock island to the left - both of which we made use of. The water point is very slow and we chatted to another boater whilst filling up. He was enjoying a bit of single handing before his wife returns and they make their way down the K and A to the new marina at Foxhangers below Devizes.

Water point below Boveney Lock

Then we had to wait for the lock - it was on self service as it was lunch time. A dutch barge was coming down and they couldn't understand why it was taking so long to fill. John immediately spotted the problem - they had left the bottom sluices open! Even though the lock was empty they insisted on filling it rather than letting us come on up. Hey ho! Saving water could be a serious proposition soon though, as the Thames is very low on water. 

It wasn't long before we spotted a good mooring, so we stopped! 

Moored at Boveney, just beside St Mary's Church

River Thames, Windsor to Bovney
1 hour 53 minutes, 1.9 miles, 1 lock