A cold but dry, bright day ...

8am Friday (20 Oct) and we're moving on from Shepperton

... 40 minutes later we were ready to go through Chertsey Lock

... where this rather smart PLA (Port of London Authority) tug was moored above the gates

The riot of colour still from these begonias is a pleasure

Penton Hook Lock next and although we can see that it's on self-service we can see someone operating the lock so there must be a  boat coming down.  The lady sees us and returns to her boat and I will take over the controls for our transit up the lock.

First boat out was the Magna Carta Hotel Boat and then this little cruiser.  By this time I'm at the lock control and the steerer of the cruiser was heading for the lock landing in front of Still Rockin'.  I don't know what they were thinking but as they got close to the landing she was just about to step off with a rope when she looked back and shouted 'are you going to close the gates?' Of course I said 'yes' and pointed to our boat which George was already pulling away wondering if they were going to moor up or go!  A quick swerve (cruisers can do that) and off they go!

I was feeling really cold when I go back onto Still Rockin' for the first time this summer/autumn, and  went straight inside to put on a couple more layers.  I didn't really feel warm afterwards until we'd moored up with a cosy fire lit.

For only £4,000 pcm you could rent this pretty riverside property downstream of Staines

This building site was cleared earlier this year and although we couldn't see any work going on today we could see that foundations have been laid.  I wonder what we'll see on it when we pass again in 2018.

Taking his parakeet/cockatoo and his dogs for a walk along the river path.

... to the accompanying roar of the banking planes

Next stop is fuel boat Merchant from Chris's base in Staines

... and the lovely Stanley come onboard for his custard creams, in fact he didn't want to leave when Chris called him after we'd taken on coal and diesel!

Chris is expanding his business too.  Moored behind his fuel boat is 90 year old Atlas (previously William) which is permanently moored at the wharf Timsway, Staines, TW18 3 JY from where by the end of 2017 boaters will be able to take on diesel and coal and have their boat pumped-out - a service not readily or easily available along the River Thames. We wish him well in his new venture.  Chris can be contacted on 07921 694287 or 07902 851915 or use the contact form on his web page.

Looking back as leave Staines

Definitely Autumn

Bell Weir Lock next fortunately on self service

Six Cormorants swinging in the breeze!

The scaffolding we saw around the Airforces Memorial when we passed here on October 9th has now been removed

By 11:30 we're once again moored in one of our very favourite

places with great views around us

... at Runnymede of course where we shall stay over the weekend