When we tried the taps this morning the pump was groaning and the tap spitting at us letting us know we were very low on water. The gauge was showing two and must have stuck so this made our mind up to move today. We first set off up to the water point at Shiplake lock, it was nice to be cruising again.
As we were filling with water two other boats turned up to do the same. Derwent6 has a 500 litre tank and takes a while to fill. Al had a solution of offering them our old magazines to read while they waited, and it worked. We had planned to have a pumpout here as well but it wasn't working. We then made our way back to Reading, and through Sonning Lock, to fill up with diesel as we were getting very low on that as well.
We pulled up on the pontoon at the marina, and yep you guessed it, they had run out of diesel over the weekend. They were due a delivery at 3.00pm, so we made our way over to Tesco's to pass the time, and top up the cupboards.
Better boating is one of the cheapest marina's for diesel on the Thames, so it was worth waiting for. We also had our pumpout there as well.
It was now getting late so we made our way back to Sonning and were lucky enough to get on our mooring when we got there.
With our tanks all sorted we relaxed in the evening watching the birds writing MUM in the sky, wonder what that means.
We got up quite early as it was another beautiful day. We were going to see the changing of the guard, but the weather was so good we decided to go for a little cruise. After bacon butties we set off all be it a bit on the cold side, still you can wrap up can't you.
We took a steady speed through the locks back to Bray.
We had a good look at all the posh houses and then made our way back again. Bernie took the helm on the way back and it was nice for Del and Al to sit out on the bow with the peace and quiet of no engine noise. 
Five hours later we were back on our mooring in Windsor. We soon lit the fire as it was getting very cold and it had started to rain, can you believe it! Al cooked a nice chili to warm us all up. 
So with full tummy's Bernie and Sarah left at about 6.30pm and we said our goodbyes. It was nice to see them again. We then walked over to the pub to watch the Arsenal in the champions league football.
We all had a few beers when they arrived. We then set off back into Windsor where we went to the King and Queen pub, where we had a few more beers. We then went to Bella Pasta, because we had a two for ten pound voucher. We had a lovely meal and walked back across the field to Derwent6... 
After another night cap we all crashed out into bed, sozzled!!!!!
The weather was just fantastic for the time of year and they had a good day Saturday after watching F1 and the rugby.
We had a fantastic time and it was lovely to catch up with their side of the family and all their friends. We stayed the night at Steve and Erica's who looked after us with food and drink and oh so much chocolate! On Sunday we were up early to see the F1 race and more rugby before we made our way back to Derwent6. We arrived home at 3.30pm and relaxed in the sunshine in the cratch. After something to eat we got in an early night after that early start.
The locks here are still so pretty with flowers, it must be all the good weather we've had. 
The trees are just trying to change and are putting a small blanket on the Thames. We soon got into Windsor with the low planes on their approach to Heathrow. It was so quiet compared to the last time we were here. 
We had the pick of the moorings at four pounds a day but we moved on to our freebie round the corner. On our arrival we were pleased to see that the fishing club had put some lovely steps in for us to get up the bank. We settled in and Del went out on his bike to suss things out while Al sorted out Derwent6. On his return a fisherman called telling us we couldn't moor here. Hmm funny that, its marked in the Nicholson's guide as a mooring and there are no signs saying "No mooring" He wanted us to move for a fishing match they have over the weekend, and we don't move weekends. With twenty four bays and only ten fishermen playing we couldn't see a problem. Anyway, we exchanged phone numbers. Fair play, he called us back and said it was no problem, but it looks like we will be losing this mooring in the future, as the signs were being made for next year. Still you can't get a telly signal here anyway!
We had enjoyed our time at Sonning and will miss our mooring here, but we wanted to move closer to London. We set off early and got to the water point at Shiplake so we were Ship shape.
It was great to be moving again. 
We made our way through Wargrave, Henley and then Maidenhead, before we stopped at another nice mooring of ours at Bray. We could have kept going but it was 3 0'clock and the weather wasn't brilliant, also a break was needed. It is now getting dark so much earlier and we didn't want to get caught out. This guy was keeping watch for us......... 
As for Derwent6 we have had a mouse on board, and he took a bit of catching. We made the mistake of putting some rubbish out in the cratch and it sneaked in to investigate. You can see from this picture he wasn't happy at being caught. 
We have fitted a new fire glass, serviced the engine and filters, and antifreezed up ready for this hard winter we are going to have. We have resealed all the side hatches and portholes to stop the draughts. 
It stopped us getting out but we didn't mind as we wanted to watch England in the rugby anyway. In the afternoon we got out the keyboard and guitar and had a bit of a jamming session.
We enjoyed it so much we ended using most of the day up doing it. It's a good job were in the middle of nowhere.
It soon got hot and humid and it made us feel like doing nothing, but Del still went out on his bike again for a couple of hours. Al chilled out with a book on the bow of Derwent6.
The wind had dropped and the waters here were calming down again, so it was cratch covers up and legs stretched out with a cup of tea. Nice.. Then it was on to those little jobs you keep meaning to do but never get round to...lol.
If we were on pins it would have pulled them out by now as the levels on the river can change very quickly. The wind has been bashing us against the bank as fenders don't do anything here. We spent the best part of the morning watching the wind and being rocked about like a tin can. We did manage to go for a short walk to get some fresh air but never ventured too far. We did have a problem with the runners on the sliding cupboard and it turned out to be a runner which had broken. Del managed to make a temporary repair and we will have to get a source from Fernwood our boat builder.
It was great to see one of the nearby schools had all turned out for him all in their blue school uniforms. He then got back in the water and swam past Derwent6 with the sounds of Queen's "We will Rock You" and "We are the Champions" blasting out and echoing down the Thames.
The banks were filled with supporters following him and his trainer, along the way. He has already raised nearly half a million. It was so inspirational, it made you feel good to be British... well done mate!!!!
It all felt a bit of an anti climax after he had gone through and we ended up doing nothing really for the rest of the day.
We said our goodbyes and then walked back to Derwent6 in the dark (your eyes soon get used to it!), falling into bed at 1.00am.
We had the feeling that we were free again, just like the swans, as we turned onto the Thames.
We were surprised how calm it felt on the big river. We made our way over to Tesco's at Reading and managed to get a spot very near by. 
Al got the shopping for the next couple of weeks while Del attacked the brasses. We were soon loaded with food and drink, and Derwent6 was sparkling again as we turned round and headed to one of our favourite moorings at Sonning. 
We managed to find it alright as it was very overgrown from when we were last on it. After cutting back a bit of foliage we settled in and we were surprised to see our logs we had left, to lighten the load, back in June. 
So it was rude not to load them back on, as we might be needing them if this weather keeps up. 
The rain started again late in the afternoon so we snuggled down with the telly. (Yep, we must have picked up a few bad habits while we have been away!)
Here you can see Jack playing his drums (without his seat and Samuel helping with one hand after breaking his arm falling off his scooter). 
We also went to Alex's 12th birthday where we were treated to a nice meal by Richard and Lisa. 
Then it was Zak's 18th birthday where we went to an American Diner and took over the place. We had great fun and thanks Steve for paying for the meal.