Day 4 - 8 miles - 98 to go

Runnymede to Windsor

A more difficult day in many ways. Started well in decent sunlight and pushed through Old Windsor Lock in good time. Thanks to Sai for appearing with ice cream soon after. Then Datchet passed gently with lovely views of Windsor Castle. Then Romney Lock and into Windsor where there was a sudden change into a quite scary mix of strong winds, fast current and every type of boat possible milling around on a Saturday afternoon; the very worst time to arrive! So used my 'full power' option to plough through all this.

But soon after the starboard (right hand!) battery faded and I was left to limp through to the next lock and just got home on the port engine alone. I am not sure I could have done another 100 yards!. Lessons from this are that the full power option is only a last resort! But it also proves my choice of 2 parallel systems.

I have decided to take a whole day for a pit stop. The transom (the back part of the boat which supports the two outboards) is showing some small cracks and so I need to strengthen the supports. But most importantly I need the promised sun on Sunday afternoon to put some charge back into the batteries and the forecast also promises lighter winds on Monday. The prevailing wind has been a major challenge over the last few days. In addition passing through the locks at the weekend has been fraught, with two near misses from the large plastic objects that charge around the river at this time of year.

Just out of Old Windsor Lock



A welcome visitor with ice cream



Windsor in sight

Day 3 - 8 miles - 106 to go

A cluoudy day which has drained the batteries and I could see myself slowing down towards my final destination at Runnymead. But some bright sun this morning has cheered me up and batteries are cheered also.

Fish and Chips with H and friends made all the difference to my inner batteries.


Amazing what a difference the angle of the solar panels makes in respect to the inclination of the sun. Leaning on the boat, or my patent cushion system as illustrated can add precious amps.

Forecast is fair for next few days, so hope to make home in Windsor this afternoon.

Day 2 - 9 miles - 114 to go

Plenty of sun and made fair speed to Walton on Thames in time for a not so healthy dinner at 'The Ship'. The flow of the river is not too strong - about 1 knot or less near the bank - but the prevailing westerly winds are proving tedious. Still I am on track for a pit stop at Windsor at the weekend; a shower and a shave would be marvellous.

Slept well in spite of rain and winds overnight. In fact a call from Hilary at 0730 caught me still in my sleeping bag, whereas she had expected me to have been up and about for 3 hours already!

Worried that the batteries have not gained much charge over the day, so may have to stop early today. But aiming for Runnymead.

D Day

Nearly a crisis when one of my engines came off when trying to get to the jetty prior to the launch party.

But the long haul up to Teddington went pretty well according to plan apart from some strong winds which made the going very hard at times and I was hoping the roof would stay put.

Wonderful to have a picnic laid on by Lucy from APF and her family on arrival. First night reasonable, but not really organised yet. Sunny this morning, so hoping to get batteries back to full charge.

D Day - 1 Tuesday 24th June

First serious trials went well with a transit from Isle of Dogs to Battersea taking around 3 hours. Plenty of sun and Corvelia stood up well to the choppy waters arising from passing ferries and barges. Thanks to Alan Lindfield for sharing the risk.

Corvelia looking rather small against Tower Bridge

And here is the video




And passing the Houses of Parliament:-

Success of Trials

CORVELIA spotted undertaking trials at a secret location in Berkshire