DREAMER NARROWBOAT: Laleham to Windsor

23rd June 2014

We have had a lovely time in Laleham over the weekend but it is now time to move and carry on with our adventure.

Our first lock of the day is Penton Hook which is after the island. It is very peaceful and serene here. Hardly believable that the island was once a burial ground during the Great Plague in 1665.....

Penton Hook Island

There are many stunning houses backing onto the Thames river along this whole stretch. Susan wonders how they earn their money to be able to afford it. They also have boats moored at the end of their gardens. In some there are as many as three boats moored to one house. Last night Susan and Pete commented on a large boat which went by, it was named Branson II. Both think it might belong to Richard Branson's family.

There are a few narrowboats moving around today in the opposite direction to us.

Once through Stains we go under a busy M25 bridge.

Busy M25....

After completing Bell Weir Lock, where the lock keeper was miserable, we travel past Runnymead and Magna Carter Island. I cruise past a beautiful paddle boat.

There are quite a few moorings available here and Susan notices that Branson II is moored here too.

Bell Weir Lock

Runnymead moorings - Branson II on the right

As we progress toward Old Windsor Lock, Susan notices a small boat which has come loose. Pete slows me down and Susan grabs the front. As she does this, the owner has managed to get into another small boat, and comes to rescue it. He and his wife thanked Susan and Pete for helping him to retrieve the runaway boat!!!

Rescued Boat

Windsor Lock is, once again, very pretty with well kept gardens. The lock keeper is helpful and friendly. We travel under Victoria Bridge and see a gatehouse on the edge of the royal gardens. There are now signs everywhere saying "The Crown - No moorings"...... Susan gets excited as she and Pete spot Windsor Castle through the trees.

Gatehouse - Royal Park

View of Windsor Castle from the Thames

The downside to this peaceful, tranquil, serene journey is the noise from the airplanes taking off and landing at Heathrow. So noisy.

Susan also spots Egyptian Geese as well as many dragonflies. The geese are strange looking, she says.

Egyptian Geese

We go through our last lock of the day - Romney Lock. The lock keeper ensures we all wrap our ropes twice around the mooring posts and then tells Susan that she must stand inside the well-deck and not on top of it. She said she was happy to do so and quickly stepped into the well-deck!!

Pete in Romney Lock

As Pete hunts around for a place to moor for the night. He decides that the Brocas moorings were too high for Susan and Mazey to climb in and out, so we carry on. After going through the centre of Windsor, and past the trillions of swans, Pete notices moorings near the Leisure Centre and decides to moor here for the night.

There are many pleasure passenger boats going past us quickly........ means I keep banging my hull on the side... Susan and Pete think we will stay here for one night only!!

After mooring, the family leave me and go into Windsor. They wander around and find a Waitrose and Susan gets more food shopping. They also have a cheeky pint in the King and Castle (Weatherspoon pub) overlooking Windsor Castle.