Windy trip to Windsor

Some rain overnight and until about 6.30 or so but dry by the time we set off for Windsor.   In some ways we were sorry to leave as it had been an ideal mooring........but all good things come to an end...
The rain had certainly cleared the air and it was a much more acceptable temperature.  However what it had left behind was a pretty stiff breeze........so much so that extra layers of clothes were required...Hooray!!!!

This is but one example of the lovely houses lining the river on this stretch

The breeze certainly made the trip interesting in places.  We needed to water etc at Boveney Lock and inconveniently the watering point is a 180 degree turn as you come out of the lock back towards the weir.   Not difficult normally but challenging in a strong blustery wind as you come alongside.   Luckily there was no one there so we didn't have to hang around.  Then to empty the loo it is back on the other side on the approach to the lock...another interesting mooring exercise

However all achieved without mishap although I do prefer a quieter life!

That was the last lock before Windsor and so we now began to wonder what space would be available.

Our luck was in and there was a space more than big enough for us on the island and whats more it was in the shade and in a nice secluded spot.  So, once the washing was put out, it was chairs and table on the shore and settling down for the quiet life............except I had itchy feet after lunch and decided to have a wander up to the town.   Over lunch we had a phone call from friends Mike and Mary to see if we were free for a meet up for lunch tomorrow, so that gave me incentive to go on a recce for a good place to eat.   Mike had met us here last year so I looked up on my blog to see where we had eaten and discovered that it was the Watermans Arms on the Eton side of the river and that we had not though much of the lunch there.....so somewhere new had to be found.

The town was just a seething mass of tourists and in parts just walking on the pavement was almost impossible.   I looked inside several likely looking places but were hot and noisy and not what I was looking for.   I decided I would have go across the bridge and try the Eton side but luckily just before the bridge I found a more promising looking place so fingers crossed.........

Total distance:9.32 miles Elapsed time:4h12m52s
Locks:4Bridges:6 
Average speed:2.21 mph (3.16 lock/mph)