All became clear.

Remember that boat on Molesey lock landing that I moaned about in last nights post? Today there was another one on the landing. It was the same boat I had seen yesterday as I waited for Ian to get the lock ready before descending. It was having ropes attached and a small work boat at the bow. Then the penny dropped. Both those boats had been removed because EA needed the moorings and the landing stage above lock for their workboats. I wonder what will happen to those boats once the stoppage has finished?

Both boats now below Molesey lock

 Sunrise this morning with the mist rising from the river.

 It was surprising how busy Hampton Court was even though the school half term had finished (well it has down South anyway. Midlands and North its only just started.) We went early enough not to get caught up in the crowds although by late morning trying to get a cup of coffee at the cafe with the queue stretching out of the door was enough to make the decision to walk away. Toward the end of the visit we went looking for the maze through the gardens and found yet another cafe. This time no queue so it was straight in for veg soup and bread followed by coffee. Most satisfying.

Got ridiculously lost in the maze. Not huge by any means but most disorientating with the twists and turns and those awful dead ends. 40 minutes it took us to get to the centre and then back out again.

Made it to the centre but now to find our way out!

 Back to FS and still the only boat on the moorings. We couldn't stay though, as these were free moorings for 24 hours only and the vessel has to be registered on arrival. After that, a fee of £8 a day would be payable to Historic Palaces run by the District Enforcement agency. Do they come round to check? It's not worth the risk of finding out as a fine of £100 would be issued for not registering.

So mid-afternoon we headed off toward Kingston. Found a spot near to Horsefair bridge which we thought were EA free moorings. Turns out the same rules apply here as does at Hampton Court. Hmmm, what to do tomorrow then. Not leaving Teddington to do the tidal bit of the Thames to Brentford until Thursday am. Do we pay the £8 for another night or do we pull pins to look for another mooring?  Decisions, decisions!

What is it about boats cutting across FS's bow?

Horsefair bridge and the moorings on the left.

And seen today,