Journey's End

All remained quiet last night after the crowd of shouting revellers had left, and we awoke to bright sunshine again. After dog walking, breakfast and getting dressed (not necessarily in that order!), we edged our way round the backwater, passing the "No motor boats beyond this point" sign again, and pulled out onto the Thames. It was busy again, and we had a minor altercation with a large fast moving cruiser who obviously felt aggrieved that we disturbed his smooth run into Windsor! We re-fuelled at a marina and bought a reasonably priced rope to enable us to pass through locks without having to move any ropes about.

Anushka made herself a nest out of rope

It was hot once again and the dogs were constantly in and out, torn between staying with us and escaping the sun. We cruised past a seemingly endless array of amazing houses and some beautiful scenery as we headed upstream away from Windsor in the general direction of Marlow.

Sigh!

We stopped in Maidenhead to empty the dogs and have a sandwich. As we watched the world go by, (and loads of rowing pairs and fours), Angela spotted something a bit special  - Gloriana, the Royal Barge, came past, moving swiftly downstream. She was gone before we managed to get cameras, and so we only managed a parting shot.

Gloriana

We rescued this cute beetle from the river!

After lunch, we set off again, weaving between school rowing boats and their suicidal coaches in their small speed boats. While we were ascending a lock, I spoke to the captain of a beautiful slipper sterned boat which was behind us in the lock. The boat was being moved by the boatyard who maintained it for the owner, and the captain explained that she had been completely restored from a wreck which would not float to her current beautiful condition. Once owned by Diana Dors, the boat was the only craft of its type. Suddenly realising that the lock gates were open, we said farewell and set off again, being passed almost immediately by the lovely boat moving at some speed.

Does anyone know what this imposing building is?

It was getting quite late as we neared Marlow, and we started searching for somewhere to moor for the night, and where we might meet up with Karenna and Zivani. We couldn't find anything anywhere between Bourne End and Marlow lock, about an hours travelling. By the time we were through the lock, we were getting tired and starting to get desperate for somewhere to stop. At the far end of the moorings in Marlow, there was a possibility. There was enough space for half the boat between another narrow boat and a bridge, so we manoeuvred ourselves in and tied up to the bridge. Angela than went to speak to the crew of the narrowboat to ask them if they wouldn't mind moving forward about 10 feet into the space in front of them, so that we could get onto the mooring properly. Alas the owner of the boat declared that he didn't want to move because the river bed in front of him made bubbling noises!! So, we are moored in a strange way, but have made ourselves pretty secure.

Mr Unhelpful's boat with gap in front

Mind the Gap! Banjo tied to a bridge

Angela called Karenna to explain where we were, and then walked the dogs, Meanwhile loads of swans started to gather, and Lola was delighted!?

Lola and a swan eye-balling each other

Feed me!

Karenna arrived with Zivani who was clutching some flowers he had brought from home for Angela. We had a lovely time chatting and Zivani loved feeding the swans.

Karenna and Zivani

Happy times

After K&Z left, we had a bite to eat and watched a bit of TV before taking the dogs for a walk at about midnight. Then a funny thing happened - a group of young people turned up and started jumping into the river immediately in front of Mr Unhelpful's boat, in the gap that would not have been there if they had moved up! All the more amusing because the boat was in darkness and they had obviously gone to bed! A little later, and Angela spotted a number of the group were running about along the bank naked, with lots of laughing and shouting. I do hope Mr Unhelpful heard it all!

Tomorrow we turn around and start to wend our way back towards London.