There and Back

Another beautiful morning greeted us after a quiet night. The music and drumming had stopped around midnight and all was peaceful. As we walked the dogs, there was no sign of the previous night's celebrations - the group had just left green grass behind. We set about a bit of tidying up on Banjo because today we were expecting to meet up with Colin and Jennie who were over from Spain. We set off with the dogs to meet C&J at the station at around 11. The waterfront in Windsor was very busy with crowds waiting to board trip boats. Lola restricted her barking to only those swans that hissed at her, which was fair enough. C&J arrived on time off a packed train, and we set off back to the boat. After a cuppa, we headed on down the backwater we had moored in, passing the "No motor boats beyond this point" sign! The reason for the sign is that there are loads of low strings across the water outside a canoe centre, presumably to support slalom gates. We managed to pass beneath them and then headed out onto the Thames, turning to head back through Windsor towards Runnymead.

A cute grebe on her nest near our mooring

The river through the centre of Windsor was full of boats of all types, including small hired motor boats. One of these suddenly spun round and headed straight across in front of us and in spite of reversing at full revs, we still hit them a glancing blow. They shouted sorry and indicated that their helmsman was not in control of where they were going! No harm done, but we could have easily mown them down which would been a shame...

Busy river in Windsor shortly before our collision

We went through the 2 locks between Windsor and Runnymead in the company of quite a few other boats, enjoying catching up on what has been happening with C&J in the 7 years since we last met. Arriving in Runnymead, we hoped to stop for something to eat, but there was nowhere free to moor, and so we turned round and returned to a spot we had seen earlier, and moored up. We managed to get a tv signal and so were able to watch Murray take the first 2 sets. We then set off again, with Colin shouting up latest scores and developments in Murray's quest for the crown. We arrived at Old Windsor lock as Murray had 3 Championship points

Lola barking at nothing in particular as we wait at the lock

Today's parakeet in a tree by the lock

As the lock started to fill, cries of delight from C&J and the lady on the neighboring boat who was watching the game on an iPad - Murray had won!

Boats waiting for the lock including one captained by a Mexican!

The trip back to Windsor was uneventful but delightful with the sun shining non-stop. 



Cruising in the sunshine

 We arrrived back at the backwater we had started from, and managed to moor up at the same spot. We had tea and cake and then C&J had to leave to catch their train back into London. We had a lovely day with them and are looking forward to visiting them again in Spain before too long.

Farewell C&J

After C&J had left we took the dogs out for a walk and then sat on the back deck with a beer enjoying the evening sunshine. Loads of people stopped to talk to us asking questions about the boat and wanting to discuss the dogs. Lola restricted her barking mainly to small dogs and small children! As the mossies came out we retreated inside behind the mosquito nets. There are not quite so many boats around tonight so we were expecting a quiet night but no! Tonight we have a lairy group of eastern europeans who seem intend on making as much noise as possible, mainly shouting with a bit of nationalistic sounding singing thown in, although we cannot make out what they are saying. Whatever they are shouting, it doesn't sound particularly good to sleep to. Having said that, it has just gone quiet..........