On to Windsor in the Sunshine.

Saturday 2nd September 2017 in Windsor.
Another magical early morning, we certainly have been blessed with the weather on this trip.

Yesterday, we met a group in canoes doing their Duke of Edinburgh trip. Today we met up with them again in one of the locks. It seems that they are doing a three day trip down to Windsor and, apart from being a bit chilly when camping overnight, they seem to be having a great time and were in good spirits.

Soo decided to spend some time in the bow of MM practising her singing. She certainly seemed to be enjoying herself.

We passed a little cabin cruiser "Marinella" that had run firmly aground, so we offered to help. R managed to get a rope to them and tried pulling them off forwards but they were stuck fast and, as the mooring cleat on their bow was very high, it was threatening to roll them over. The river was also drifting MM down past them, so R threw them another rope, which they tied on to the stern low down, and MM was able to pull them off sideways stern first. They were VERY grateful!

At Cookham, there was a pageant with dragon boat racing just like we saw in Worcester. We stopped to watch the finish of this race.

Passing Cliveden, R and Soo enjoyed their lunch on the move.

At Boulter's Lock, Soo treated us to very welcome Magnums ("Magna" said M!).

A jazz band was entertaining this happy crowd on the steam boat "Streatley".

Soon after, we passed a beautiful paddle steamer. You really do see all sorts of craft on the River Thames. There is a marvellous camaraderie among all the boaters, from huge trip boats and expensive gin palaces to the smallest canoe or paddle-board. Everyone was happy and smiling in the sunshine.

We rounded off the day with G&Ts before dinner, sitting on an old willow next to our mooring in Windsor.

As darkness fell, we were entertained by a cavalcade of illuminated boats, one of which was playing "Land of Hope and Glory" at full volume! Brilliant!

Today:20 miles, 8 locks and 7.9 hours.
Trip: 301 miles, 284 locks and 195.2 hours.