Oldies On Tour

Wednesday 28th September

We woke up to clear skies, (that’s a bonus) just outside Bourne End moored at an old wharf. This mooring is owned by the Bourne End Spade Oak Trust who have bought up this small area between the railway and the Thames.   The plot of land has been cleared and cleaned up for locals to enjoy a peaceful relax by the river and also the wharf part has been renovated for moorings up to 48 hours.  The charge for an overnight stop is £5 which is obviously a contribution to the upkeep of this area of land.  What we did find strange that 100metres down river is the Bourne End Marina and their overnight charge is £25:  most other moorings along the Thames charge £8 per night.  Perhaps Bourne End Marina don’t want over nighters!!!!!

We stayed here for 2 nights as we had arranged to meet Liz (my sister in law) at Costa Coffee in the Bourne End at 11.00 and after the customary coffee and cake, we walked her to the boat for a drinky-poo or two before walking up the lane to the Spade Oak Pub for lunch.

We were a bit sceptical about going to the Spade Oak as though we had been there before and enjoyed it, Liz had heard several disturbing reports about it: I looked at a number of reports on trip advisor and on the whole the “likes” outnumbered the “dislikes” by about 60/40 so we went.  I have to say we thoroughly enjoyed the excellent food and the service was first class.  I don’t think Liz will listen to other people’s comments again!!!!!

We walked Liz back to Bourne end and when back on board put our feet up: we didn’t eat anything again before retiring for an early night.  We were glad we had paid for the extra night.

Thursday 29th September

We woke up after a superb nights sleep, (must have been all the booze we had enjoyed at the Spade Oak yesterday) to a miserable morning, pouring with rain, dark and just plain ‘orable so we were very leisurely about everything, including breakfast.  We caught up with some reading when suddenly the rain stopped and the sky seemed to brighten up so we slipped away.

Our first port of call was going to be Marlow Lock where we could top up with water.  We have been very good at managing the water on board: we look ahead to where the next water point is and then en route, put the washing machine on. When we get to the tap, we start filling but at the same time take a shower or two.  The river isn’t that busy this time of year so we don’t hold anyone up.  When we leave the water point we have a full tank, we have both had showers and the washing is done;  win win all round.

Coming out of Temple lock, the last one before we arrived at our planned destination, Henley on Thames, we were told that there was an attempt to break the world distance record for a pedalo, yes one of those things you see on a local pond or off the beach, by a team raising money for charity.  We thought we were slow traveling along but the pedalo put our speed into prospective!!!

We arrived at Henley for a very late lunch, approx 1500 hrs, moored up and walked into town.  I have “interesting” memories of Henley cos when I was around 16/17 yrs old, one of my pals who had passed his driving test first, had a van and three of us used to drive to Henley from Ealing ( where I lived at the time) to a monthly Rock n roll evening at the Henley town hall.  We saw many famous names of that era rocking the night away, and one, that most notable, unfortunate politician, Screaming Lord Such,  “They were the days” as the song goes!!!!! Anyway we walked into the town, did a little food shopping, Christine bought several books she had been looking for from a market stall and then from a charity shop before heading slowly back, via a hostelry, naturally.

You may recall in a previous post I mentioned I fancied a Ploughman’s lunch some time and was told that was very “60/70s” well at the pub we stopped at they had one on the menu: lunch tomorrow I think.  To brighten up my day even more, this pub also sold “Abbot Ale” , wonderful, I haven’t enjoyed a pint of abbot since I lived in Cambridgeshire, late 70’s.

The weather this afternoon was mainly sunny though there was a chill in the wind but we still managed to sit outside at another pub right on the river, very nice.

Back on board we read for a bit as we couldn’t get TV,  we don’t seem to be awfully lucky picking up TV, I have even bought an app to find which direction to point the ariel, still we struggle so have to rely on “Filmon” though this does eat into my data allowance on my mobile.  I think it was a good job we bought several books.

Christine cooked a scrummy pasta stir fry using chopped up pork chops, lovely followed by some reading and bed, weather forecast for tomorrow not so good.

26-27th September 2016

Having had a lovely time in Windsor, we decided to start heading towards Oxford, which is 70 miles away, as we only manage to travel about 8 miles a day, it will take sometime.

First we had to find a post office as I found Mia’s shoes on the floor this morning, and she needs them.  The post office was quite a walk away, but as we needed groceries, we went to Waitrose at the same time.

Back on the boat, quick cup of coffee, then we were off, it was a lovely day, the washing was on, and we stopped to empty out the black water, and fill up with fresh water.  I took a shower again, means you can keep the water running, and not worry how much you use.

The Thames is lovely, so much to see, so much going on, beautiful houses, and some unusual boats, we passed a magnificent Hotel, but didn’t get its name, bet it’s expensive!

Into the Boveney Lock, and back to our free mooring, for the night, where we stayed last week.

Excellent nights sleep, then up and away, we have eight miles to do,  we approached the first lock at Bray, and realised it was unmanned, so I had to work the locks, bit confusing at first, but I got there, someone had left the sluice gates opened!

We travelled onto Maidenhead, Boulters Lock, we waited outside, for what seemed ages, so Geoff went to see what was happening, well the lock keeper was hiding in his little house, he apologised, and we went into the lock.  Lovely man, we had a little chat with him, and I took some photos of how the lock works, and his house.

Next lock was at Cookham, there again we waited, this time I went to chat to the guys, they hadn’t seen us arrive, trouble is they are not busy at present, so not many boats around.  Left the lock, and filled up with water again, as I have done some more washing, and this time Geoff had a long shower.

We meandered onto Bourne End, where we found a nice little spot, parked, had lunch, then went for a walk along the river, and into Bourne End, decided we could meet Liz in Costa Coffee tomorrow morning.

Back to the boat, dinner and bed.

Up early, Jane and Mia are coming for the day, and arrived at 8.30am in time for breakfast. Scramble eggs on toast, then a long walk around the park, along the riverbank so Dougal and Oreo could have some exercise.

Mia was fascinated with the ducks and swans, and enjoyed watching them being fed, and playing on the river. We then decided to walk into town, Geoff was in need of his coffee!  We found a cafe which sold  Cinnabons, so in we went, they were lovely,

After coffee we went shopping, for socks for Mia, and a birthday present for Kate’s daughter, then walked around the streets of  Windsor up to the castle, around the little lanes, stopped for a pint in one of the pubs, the cobble stones made Mia laugh as I pushed her over the bumps she was giggling.

Mia was getting bored, so we went back to the park, where she could run around chasing the dogs, feeding the swans, ducks and geese.

Later we went for dinner at an Italian, and then Jane took us to Creams for pudding, I have never seen so many choices of ice creams,
and puddings, very good.

After dinner we walked back to the boat, changed Mia ready for bed, and they were off back home. Another lovely day.

Saturday 24th September 2016

Our day started with chores, Geoff checked the engine oil, weed box, and diesel, whilst I did the washing and hoovering, checked the water, and then we motored through the first lock, and onto the water point, then went to the rubbish dump.  Jobs completed we can start enjoying again.

We only had a little way to go, before we arrived in Windsor, it’s a bustling place, with boats on hire, river cruises, and lots of other craft going up and down the river.  We wanted to park near the grass, as the dogs will be with us tomorrow for the day, but the ground was higher than the boat, and the water was very shallow, so we decided to go on the rings by the bridge, not so good for getting on and off, but very good for the town.

Groceries were the first order of the day, so went looking for Waitrose, we did the tourist bit first, and meandered up to the castle, the town is very busy, with long queues to get in the castle, so we decided to go on Monday morning early.   All the best shops and restaurants are here, what a lovely Town.

Having been to shops, we bought the shopping back, before returning to the same pub as yesterday, Geoff wanted fish and chips again, so we sat in the garden and enjoyed a nice lunch. I had liver and bacon.

After lunch we went for a wander around the park and down stream, the children were feeding the ducks and swans, it was lovely to watch everything that was going on.   There were queues waiting to hire river boats, and canoes, children eating ice creams, playing on the round-abouts, and crazy golf, and like us, everyone seemed to be enjoying a lovely sunny day.

Back to the boat, we relaxed, watched Strictly, and then played crib.  What a nice day.

By Geoff

Woke up at a leisurely pace on our free, but excellent morning, after a cup of tea in bed, naturally.  We both had showers before our usual skimpy breakfast: dieting is not all it is cracked to be

Christine caught up with the ironing while I looked on in wonderment at this skilful task, after which we prepared to go out.

We had decided to stay an additional night, this was going to cost us £5 (it’s only free for 1 night) payable at the local lock.  Heading towards Windsor and Eton paying the lock keeper as we passed, we did a detour via Eaton Wick looking for a pint and a ploughman’s lunch, you know how it is, if you really fancy something to eat, you will go anywhere to find it.  We did find a pub in Eton Wick but the chef was off, menu was limited and no ploughman’s, well you can no doubt sense my disappointment.

1 quick drink and we were off, heading for Eton.  We arrived in time to see, many of the boys, dressed in their white tie and tails heading to the refectory for their lunch; quite a site as we walked round to the school entrance for more pictures.

We walked down the pretty high street passing several “gentlemen outfitters” specialising in selling the correct attire for the young gentlemen that attend Eton and eventually found a pub, the George; would I get my ploughman’s I wonder.

Alas no, ploughman’s were not on the menu so I had to start believing Christine when she told me (on numerous occasions) ploughman’s was so 60’s and old fashioned.  We both settled for small portions of fish and chips and for me two pints of the local Windsor brew.

After lunch we went looking for suitable moorings as Jane is visiting us with Mia for the day whilst Dave is off climbing,  we sussed out a car park for her and a convenient mooring for us close by, so tomorrow we are off there,

Having accomplished everything we (bar a ploughman’s) had set out to do we started the trek back.  Going didn’t seem so bad, probably with the detour it was around 3 miles but coming back, about 2 1/2 miles, it seemed to go on for ever and when we did get back, my feet were throbbing, much to the amusement of Christine.

A cup of tea with a biscuit helped, followed Christine fiddling with the aerial trying to get a picture:  I am told it is not easy to get terrestrial TV in the Thames Valley.

My turn to cook tonight, “bangers & Mash”, it was OK, well I would say so!  I was going to do the maintenance today as well, checking engine oil, pipes, weed box etc, etc., but it will now get done tomorrow before we leave.   Everything had to be sorted in time tonight for the opening programme of “Strictly”   By and large the TV signal held up so managed the see the whole programme.

The weather has been excellent today, sun most of the day and generally quite warm, what’s happened???

Off to bed for another good nights sleep

Today is Tyla’s 19th birthday, and we had a long conversation with her, it was good to catch up with all the news.

We left Marlow, and went through the first lock, we have found a mooring place on the way back, to enable us to catch up with Liz at Bourne End, hopefully it will be free. We travelled onto Cookham lock, where we filled up with water, the washing machine has been working since we left , so good time to fill up. After Cookham we headed to Maidenhead, another lock, the houses are fantastic, I am really enjoying the Thames. One more lock, when we decided to stop, we are next door to Windsor Rowing Club.

We sat outside on the chairs, and watched the children being put through their paces in their skiffs and skulls, lovely sight.

Ideal mooring tonight, firstly it is free, last night it was £12.00, tonight will be very peaceful and idyllic.