The boat had set off from Uxbridge after a rendevous at the General Elliott, I joined it at Hanwell

On the Hanwell flight ,,,

... where Andy is learning the delights of operating broad locks.

Ed, rather pointlessly, is detrermined to use at least one of the side ponds.

The happy/motley crew.

We stopped for the evening in the rapidly changing Brentford basin.

The next morning saw us through the gauging lock, below which we passed one of the new barges for the soon to start aggregate traffic from Denham to West Drayton.

Thames lock, last one before the tideway.

On the tideway at last. We had sent Marcus to the bow to look after the anchor.

Passing Richmond half tide lock ...

... and the Star And Garter home. It rained all the time we were on the tideway.

Teddington lock with NB Zavala with which we shared locks with on the Rochdale Canal last year.

Just to prove that it is Teddington.

Molesey lock where we watered and emptied a very full bog (The sanitary station at Brentfoed being out of commission)

Sunbury lock where the Gin Palaces literally dominate ...

... but don't frighten our intrepid captain.

The Nauticalia ferry, Shepperton.

We finally let Marcus steer (he did get very wet on the tideway)

Waiting to enter Shepperton Lock, the only one of the day where we had to queue and then only for one lockful.

Shepperton lock where we heard "Darling, could you put an umbrella over the gin and tonic", honest.

We stoped for a pint or two at the Kingfisher at Chrertsey whilst we waited for Sally who eventually turned up in a taxi having been dumped at Weybridge station.

Chertsey lock.

Just having passed under the M3 ...

... then the M25 where a trip boat chased us into Bell Wier Lock.

Sally was made to polish the brass for being late!

After a damp start theweather for the rest of the day was fairly pleasant...

except for a time it got a bit chilly so the Girlies wrapped up!

Finally got to Datchett ...

... where Sal was made to walk the plank as a second penance for being late and making us wait in the pub.

Passing through Romney lock ...

... and mooring up at Windsor, this being the day after a comedian had gatecrashed Prince William's 21st birthday party, no sign of a national emergency though!

Tim Lewis