We Say Goodbye to the Queen

When we walked the dogs before going to bed last night, there were a few people about and there was a bit of shouting which soon stopped, and we thought nothing of it. We took the dogs out for a walk this morning after an undisturbed night, and came across a crime scene. A policeman was patrolling an area in the park where we were moored, which was cordoned off. All we could see was some rubbish on the ground next to a picnic table. After breakfast and defrosting the fridge, we took the dogs out again and found that a forensics person had turned up and the scene had been marked out with yellow markers with numbers on. No idea what had happened, but whatever it was it was a bit too close for comfort!

What happened here?

We called a taxi to take us the couple of miles to the nearest big supermarket, and armed with our shopping bag on wheels, we set off in search of provisions and a chair to replace the one which had collapsed the other day. By the time we called the taxi to take us back again, we had amassed quite a lot of provisions (but no chair) and started to wonder where on earth we would put it all on the boat. The taxi had dropped us off, and we dragged everything back to the boat and then filled every available bit of storage space. We then went into Windsor to look for a chair and then to meet Dan and Harriet who were on their way from Ramsgate. We found another Monsoon - great joy for Angela and slightly less so for me! While Angela rummaged through the sale items, I failed to find a chair in the neighbouring department store. After re-uniting with Angela (and a Monsoon carrier bag!), we walked further down the street and found a shop with a chair - another quest completed.

Angela about to tip off the Queen about the Monsoon sale

We met Dan and Harriet off the train and walked back along the river to the boat, passing masses of swans along the way.

Two swans with their cute ugly ducklings

Once we were all on board we set off again past the well known "No motor boats beyond this point" sign and back onto the Thames, heading downstream. We had an uneventful but very pleasant trip past the castle grounds, Runnymede, and Stains, finally mooring a little downstream of Penton Hook Lock.

Today's fine property

Dan, Harriet and Lola en-route

Tonight's mooring beneath a willow

D&H enjoying a cup of tea in the late afternoon sunshine

We have called the lock keeper to check the tides out of Teddington on Friday - it looks like we will depart at 06:15 - gulp. So, tomorrow we will set off early, heading for Kingston and then on to Teddington for an early night!