On the move to Dorney

After six days moored at Windsor, meeting up with friends (expected and unexpected), paying a visit to the dentist (George) and my final hand therapy session both at Hemel Hempsted, it’s time to leave ...

 We’d arranged for Chris on fuel boat Merchant this morning as we were starting to fret about refuelling, the tank was down to just a quarter full

 Stanley, the fuel boat dog

… by half nine he’d put 255 ltrs into the tank and reversed behind us to provide diesel to two more boats, he then winded (turned) and headed back towards his base in Staines but five minutes later returned to refuel yet another narrowboat, so he’d had quite a lucrative morning, well worth the trip I’d say.  He left us with some delicious fruit scones - thanks Chris.

George then took the hire car back to Enterprise and we moved up to the water point where we saw these MOD personnel.  I wondered if they were going to patrol the river side of the Crown Property below Romney Lock

 Trip boat Windsor Monarch has reversed out of their mooring and is winding (turning) under Windsor Bridge to start his day ferrying passengers up and down the river

 Here comes the duck to the slipway

… not much of a splash as it enters the water

 Passing Windsor Racecourse

 … and Windsor Monarch passing us

 Seen quite a few Kingfishers whilst we’ve been on the Thames but this is the first time this year that one has been still long enough for me to catch on camera

 Moored below Boveney Lock using the services

… when the MOD guys approach us - now I do wonder where they’re going and why?

 Another French Brothers trip boat Windsor Sovereign leaving the lock

 … and it’s our turn to ascend

It takes just a few minutes from the lock to our destination at Dorney Lake where the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic rowing events took place.  We just happened to be passing this way at the time that gold medal winners Heather Stanning and Helen Glover were celebrating their victories, for pictures and a short video click here

Views from the visitor moorings - from the stern looking downstream

… looking directly opposite looks interesting

 … and from the bow … peaceful!

 … and over the side from the stern deck!

There are a couple of events here at Dorney over the weekend, tomorrow it’s the Windsor 5k Pretty Muddy in aid of cancer research and on Sunday a Human Triathlon race will take place so plenty to keep us entertained until it’s time to move on.