No Problem on the only town mooring at Windsor
Sunbury to Windsor, River Thames, 16 miles 7 locks
I couldn’t believe it after we came out of the lock cutting to see the one and only free 24hr mooring empty at Windsor Bridge..
So close to the town.. how lucky is that.
It was Saturday when we left Sunbury, a final goodbye to Richard the lock keeper before making our way to Sheperton..
You can see by the sign that Desborough Cut was closed, but we had already planned on going the scenic route, although the Nicholson’s Guide suggests that it is shallow. It certainly is not, and a much better route. There is also a fantastic 24hr mooring around there too on some lovely parkland. Unfortunately, being a Saturday, it was chocker block full. Hopefully next time we pass we can moor.
Unusually for us we continued on Sunday from Sheperton passing Mo and Ness.. we nearly moored up with them for coffee and no doubt the night, but Sir had itchy feet after our long stay at Sunbury..
Farewells and happy cruisings exchanged it wasn’t long until Staines was passed..
Nice area this for houses too.. but this one is rather odd..
Rather them than me.. how odd!
I was pleased the visitor moorings at Runnymede were only half full. Well it is a lovely area for walking the girls you see. Bless them, they have put up with a lot what with travelling through the heart of London, at last they could stretch out and relax on the National Trust land.. and for sure they did, scampering and charging about all over the place.
Off again this morning then making for Windsor..
Old Windsor Lock and I told Vic there was a small boat coming out!.. I was lucky not to get a smack from Sir.. I had looked in the bins on the approach and saw this one arriving high up in the lock to come down! There are plenty of ferries along here, but there is no wash unlike the Thames Clippers on the Thames in the inner London area..
Lots of cygnets around today, but not an opportunity to snap them.. I love this river, lots of wildlife and some of them really make me smile..
Oh really??.. Well this cormorant does look a bit scary I suppose..
On to Windsor Great Park then.. no mooring along this bit, Queen’s rules and all that.. this bridge heralds the rules..
A lovely gate/guard house which is duplicated at the following bridge as we move out of the banned area..
And so to Windsor, one of my favourite places, and the Queen is in!
We had a wander into the town this afternoon.. hooray the Poundshop.. bits and bobs in there then off to find a new pair of trainers for me. Sir keeps moaning about how untidy my comfy trainers are so I said I would try find another pair.. Went into a shoe shop.. not overly, but there was a half decent pair.. looked at the label.. £95.. Ah hem! Went to Boots for smelling salts! My trusty trainers will have to last a bit longer!
Gosh, how so yummy are those cakes! Probably a lot.. I didn’t try!
We been out tonight.. dining posh.. It was lovely too then we went to the pub.. now I am going to bed! G’night 
Oh I have a lovely tale to tell you tomorrow too!
Sue
Updated 24th April 2012
May 17th, 2011 at 7:35 am
Hi Sue, Yes, I must say those cakes look fantastic. We’re on vacation right now in Wisconsin and had a delicious piece of poppy seed cake after dinner tonight. Later this week we drive on to Chicago for a doll show. As you can see some things never change. Loved seeing the pictures of NP in this post. She looks beautiful. Are you ever going to assemble all of these posts and beautiful pictures into a book?
May 17th, 2011 at 7:37 am
sorry, didn’t sign off on that post. Hope all four of you are well. Best wishes, Mark and Sharlene
May 17th, 2011 at 8:21 am
George say – get yourself a pair of bl**dy trainers!
May 17th, 2011 at 9:14 am
Hi Sue,
I’d hate you to go barefoot so have you looked at the deichmann.com web site (pick the UK pages) they seem to do reasonable prices for trainers, and brand names too, just in case you’re a ‘label queen’ LOL I bought some sandals from one of their shops recently for only £20, yes I know that’s cheap, but they suit my pocket and lifestyle, I NEVER pay for a name.. LOL
Kevin
May 17th, 2011 at 1:34 pm
That’s exactly where we moored on arriving in Windsor. Perfect spot. Handy, safe and quiet. I bet it won’t be so easy to get in when the summer holidays get under way. When are you passing through Reading? We might come and wave at you, as it’s only a few minutes drive from home if we’re in.
Neil
NbHerbie
May 17th, 2011 at 4:33 pm
I was going to tell you about that spot Sue, but I thought you would prefer to moor further down where there is grass for the girls. It is a great spot though, and very secure, pity it’s only 24 hours.
Kath
(nb Herbie)
May 17th, 2011 at 7:14 pm
Hi Sue
The weather is treating you well for your Thames trip, the photos look great.
I know your Gold Licence includes EA waterways but as the River Wey is owned by The National Trust, I thought I’d try to find some information about licence fees and mooring periods. The NT website was no help, so after about an hour on the Internet I gave up!
Do you know where I can find the details and what are the rules regarding cc’ers?
Malcolm
May 17th, 2011 at 9:19 pm
You and Vic sure do live right! It’s been lovely following along on this journey with you. Great posts and wonderfu lpics per usual.
May 17th, 2011 at 10:44 pm
Mark and Sharlene,
Nice to hear from you again.. I see you are still very busy with the dolls, do you ever stop you two?!
I did think about putting it all in a book, but I think there is too much of it now you know..
‘Tis all on the internet anyway, so hopefully that won’t blow up!
Carol,
Tell George “I will, I will.. but not in Windsor and the Queen’s prices”!
Kevin,
Thanks I will look at that.. But ordering on the internet and getting them to deliver somewhere doesn’t work on a boat and the family aren’t due up for a while.. I’m happy with my tatty ones for now I think!
Neil and Kath,
Yeah great mooring for the night.. The girls were OK just for one night, hey they got used to London moorings now, and anyway they got a doggy bag when we got back last night, that well compensated for the non grass mooring!
Today we have moved upstream to just by the railway bridge on the towpath side.. It is free here and Lucy and Meg have their own lawn!
Not sure when we will be in Reading, I really must do a plan of where we will be before the family start wanting to know when we will be where!
Malcolm,
The River Wey is owned by the National Trust and they charge a licence fee.. You can buy 3day, 7day and 3 week licences. I think the same rules apply to CC as BW,
Mooring periods are the same as BW, but you wouldn’t want to stay 14 days anywhere at the cost of the licence. If you are a NT Member you can get 10% off.
Don’t know the cost of the licence off the top of my head.. Carol and George of NB Rock n Roll do, they are there now, maybe leave a comment on their blog and ask the question?
Jac,
Now this is one place Dear Sir will have to bring you for sure. But I keep saying that to you wherever I am!
May 26th, 2011 at 5:42 am
The odd riverside houses are part of the charm of the Thames – they’re all over the place – I think the architects get overexcited by the sight of money
Sue, nb Indigo Dream
ps. It is my favourite waterway by a long mile so I’m enjoying your posts immensely!
May 28th, 2011 at 12:09 am
Sue,
Yes there does seem to be competition as to who can build the most obscure building, but then that keeps my eyes peeling!
Good luck today!