We have had some fabulous moorings on the Thames but hand on heart this was one of the quietest. No owls, sheep, cows, planes, geese, ducks or birds of any kind making noises, in fact, the only sound heard this morning was of the sculls teams blades cutting through the water. And that wasn't until about 7.30 am.
T'was a late getaway then, but still got to Brays lock before the lock keeper. He turned up as we descended and then had to go back to the house for the keys to unlock the hut.
Plenty of boats about and nearly all hire boats. Half term week has certainly increased the traffic. All the lock keepers were manning the locks, maybe because of the holidays? Plane traffic was also very noticeable now. Heathrow as the crow flies is probably a couple of miles away and the roar as those planes take off was quite deafening.
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| No not on fire but condensation forming as the plane takes off |
Windsor had plenty of moorings to be had but today we had other plans so stopping wasn't an option.
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| First glimpse of Windsor Castle and one of the big trip boats |
Crown Estate with the avenue of trees looking immaculate. Leaves littered the ground but were swept up by this natty machine.
Runnymede was where we wanted to stop and not a single boat to be seen so we had the pick of the spots. Then a walk to look at the new Writ in Water celebrating the global significance of the Magna Carter.
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| The shallow pool which reflects the sentiment of Magna Carter's clause 39. No free man shall be seized or imprisoned, or stripped of his rights or possessions, or outlawed or exiled, or deprived of his standing in any way, nor will we proceed with force against him, or send others to do so, except by the lawful judgment of his equals or by the law of the land. |
On top of the hill was the Commonwealth Air Forces Memorial. Bit of a trek but worth it. Dedicated to some 20,456 men and women from air forces of the British Empire who were lost in the air and other operations during World War 11. A spiral staircase takes you to the top. Here the views were staggering.
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| That's FS in the centre. |
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| Smog over London |
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| Another view of Windsor Castle. No flag flying so the Queen was not in residence. |
Back at FS and within 30 minutes a knock on the boat. It was the NT Baliff asking for money. We thought as NT members we would get the mooring free, you do if you park a car in their carparks at the houses, but no. Not mooring a boat! So lighter now by £7, does this mean our luck has changed?
On the journey,
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| This under the road bridge in Windsor |
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| Old Windsor Lock. The small boat shows the size of this lock |
And seen on route,
1 comment:
You will pass us tomorrow!
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