We left Sunbury at about 10h00, heading to Windsor and I mentally prepared for at least 7 locks. We were getting quite slick at this now and a lot of the locks are manned, with a lock keeper opening and closing for us, so that was a relief. The challenge for me, almost every time, is the last minute indication/decision as to whether we (or I) would be tying up port or starboard once in the lock. The locks almost always have bollards port side and starboard side. The challenge is when you are coming into a lock behind a boat or two, as they tie up first and we need to fit in the available space, so we only get to make the decision as we enter, albeit very slowly. So I usually stand on the bow with rope in hand and have the aft line lying at the back ready for me. As soon as we can identify which side to go, I quickly get the ropes attached to the cleats, if possible both forward and aft and then lasso the bow line onto a bollard. Patrick will then come out and sort out the aft line. We have discussed having ropes ready on cleats both sides, but that's a lot of rope lying around getting underfoot, and so far we have managed with the last minute scramble.
Our first lock of the day was open as we approached, and we slowed down to let a boat ahead of us get into the lock and tie up. As we got closer, we saw the state of the boat. I was certain it was either going to break down in the lock or sink (in the lock!). Then we saw the owner. I wasn’t sure which was going to come to grinding halt first. The boat or the owner. He was so old and bedraggled. He also couldn’t get his rope onto the bollard so he was drifting sideways across the lock, jamming his dingy behind him. He eventually got this front line on, but was stuck sideways. The lock keeper helped him and we then got to go into the lock. Once the lock was filled with water and the gates opened this old boat wouldn't start and so we had to patiently wait. Finally we were through. Patrick quickly overtook him as we had 6 more locks ahead and this was likely to be a recurring situation.
We stopped and tied up at Chertsey Bridge as I needed to return an old work laptop, which meant a quick walk into town. Patrick stayed on the boat rather than lock it all up.
As I crossed the bridge, I looked down at Deux Poissons, in the sunshine and I thought to myself how wonderful that we have finally started to enjoy her full time. As I stood there, an old dilapidated boat, with an old dilapidated dingy, driven by an old dilapidated man passed under the bridge and slowly made its way past Deux Poissons. It was the old man from earlier. So his boat hadn't sunk, he was still very much alive and headed in the same direction we were. I looked forward to meeting up with him in the next 5 or 6 locks!
Once I had delivered my laptop, I returned to the boat and we set off. This was such a beautiful part of the river, the houses just got bigger and more beautiful.
At lock Romney, the second last lock before our destination – Windsor Marina - we were told that we probably couldn’t get to Windsor as the river had been closed by the police because there was something sinking in the river! I wouldn’t have been surprised if it was an old dilapidated boat that had sunk and I hoped the old man was ok.
We set off anyway, checking out possible moorings on the banks in case. The lock keeper was correct. As we approached the A332 bridge we saw a lot of blue flashing lights and police on the bank of the river. The told us to stop and turn around – there were divers in the water. There was a CAR in the river. It had probably driven down the slip on the side of the bridge, went too far and couldn’t get back out. The car then seemed to have drifted a little in the river and then started to sink. There was no indication that there was anyone in the car, but we still couldn’t go past. So we obeyed the law, turned around and tied up on moorings on Baths Island. There were already a few other boats tied up who were also planning to get to Windsor, so we had a chat about all the possible explanations for the sunken car. Then we cooked hamburgers on the back deck, using the gas stove and enjoyed the evening. We were certain we would be allowed through tomorrow. I did wonder what had happened to the old man and the dilapidated boat…..
