Chertsey

Lat/Long N51.38537 W000.46951

Map Reference TQ 06598 66264

Distance 12.8 miles

Total 368 Locks 8 Tunnels

Running total mileage 530.9 miles

Now made it as far as Chertsey, between Chertsey Lock and Shepperton Lock, so we only have a couple more days on the Thames. Tomorrow as far as Kingston, and then on Wednesday a short hop down the tidal stretch to the entrance of the Grand Union Canal. High tide on Wednesday will be at 3.22pm which is the time that we need to be at the entrance to the canal so will need careful timing from Kingston.

The weather held out pretty well today, no rain (at least until we had moored!) although still a little bit windy. Lunch was at Staines alongside the replica of one of the London Stones after which the town was named. Although it looks like the real thing, the original has been removed to a local museum and a replica put in its place (photo).

Only small hiccup was that for some reason the engine stop switch (stop solenoid) decided not to work at Old Windsor Lock so we had to leave the engine running whilst in the lock. Gave the switch a knock when we got out of the lock and seem to have cured the problem (I hope!!). Suspect it was a bit of muck in the fuel which caused the solenoid to stick as it switched off OK at the other lock on the way.