Windsor

Here I am Rune

Distance 8.1 miles

Total 2081 Locks  90 Tunnels

Running total mileage 2918.2 miles

Whilst I’m not in any rush to get anywhere, today’s efforts did seem a bit pedestrian.  It started well enough at Bell Weir Lock (despite the Lockie initially closing the gates as we approached, then re-opening them as he saw us!). The next lock (Old Windsor) was a bit more problematic since, due to cutbacks, it is on Self Service so crews have to operate them. It is all automated so all that you have to do is push buttons but it appeared that those who were operating it today weren’t entirely sure what they were doing. Speaking to another boater he claimed that they had opened the bottom paddles without shutting the top gate paddles. From my point of view this seems unlikely since I didn’t see any water coming out of the bottom gate paddles whilst we were initially waiting. What I suspect happened was that they probably tried to open the bottom gate paddles with the top gate paddles still open, and the system prevented them from doing so. Whatever the cause there was a lot of waiting around before they got themselves sorted out.

The trip around Windsor Great Park was pleasant, despite the warning notices telling you that landing or mooring is a criminal offence under the Serious Crime and Policing Act. Not sure what you’re supposed to do if you break down on that section!

Moored for the night here in Windsor at our second choice of mooring. The first one was on the Eton meadows (The Brocas) which looked ideal but was a lot shallower than it looked and our stern was sticking out into the river. After speaking with the Warden (who came to collect money for this less than ideal mooring) he directed us to better moorings above the Windsor Railway Bridge which is where we now are. 

Windsor Castle from our first mooring