Cruising over the May bank holiday

7 miles: 2 locks: 3.5 hours
Although the work on Hallmark was not complete arrangements were made to slip away from the Harris Boatyard at Laleham for a short bank holiday weekend cruise.
Hallmark headed off for old Windsor with an overnight stop planned at the Bells of  Ouzeley.
The Saturday weather was initially better than forecast by the time we set off.   Showers later and sun first!
Before too long we passed Laleham Boatyard which specialises in wood classic cruisers and then on to Penton Hook lock .
















We ended up in a lock full of large motor cruisers who seemed determined to use their bow thrusters rather than steer properly in the limited confines of the lock.
After a bit of cruising pasted banks lined with houses we arrived in Staines with its rail and road bridges.



















Soon after Staines Bridge you come to Church Island and moored there is Merganser V, a narrow boat that moored just down from Hallmark at East Molesey. What a great new home she has. Its a good straight cruise to Bell Weir lock and the M25 crossing at Runnymede. (Photos of that on the way back).



















Then the river begins a sharp bend in its approach to the memorials on Runnymede hill and Magna Carta island.  It is still a stunning sight despite the A308 running alongside the Thames. 


















Here is Hallmark as she turns round Magna Carta island. 
Rain begins to threaten on the last but short leg to the Bells of Ouzeley now a Harvester (a good one at that).  I’ll go for a drink after my chicken curry supper!

And so the first day’s designation is reached and below Hallmark is tied up before a real downpour of bank holiday rain.