It could not last....

Tuesday 29^th August 2017

Medmenham to Bourne End

6.25 miles, 3 locks

We woke to another wonderful sunny morning.  About an hour after George and Carol left we pulled pins and headed off in the opposite direction.  Before we left, however, Monty had to have his walk around the meadow.  I guess this notice is a sign of the times we live in.

What a wonderful spot to stop

and there at the far end of the above picture is Tentatrice

By the time we got back to the boat the sheep had returned and I am delighted to say that Monty took very little notice of them

Then we were off with cruisers dashing past us

and plenty of wonderful properties to admire

 

This was RAF Medmenham during the last world war - I am sure they had fewer trees and therefore a much enhanced view

And as for the speedy cruisers - they did not get far as we all ended up sharing the first lock

What a difference a day makes - no queues now the bank holiday is over

Marlow is another really scenic town with this wonderful church as you approach

Just enjoy the views

There was another narrow boat behind us and we were very glad when the canoeists suggested we went in first!

 Is this what they mean by 'open plan living'?

Bourne End was our target for the day and sure enough there was a narrow boat sized hole which we took - the neighbours today were a lot noisier and messier than the sheep last night and this morning.

Yes we know we should moor with our bow upstream, but the flow is minimal at present and when it is hot we really need the side hatch facing the water, not only so we can enjoy the view across the Thames, but more importantly we needed it open to keep us cool.

The view the other side left a lot to be desired.

Wednesday 30^th August 2017

Bourne End to below Boveney Lock

8.75 miles, 4 locks

I woke early thanks to these two Egyptian geese who made so much noise that Chris thought there was a whole flock of them!

As I said in the title - it could not last....  

We woke today to grey damp weather and by the time we pulled pins at 08:00 it was spitting which is continued to do on and off, but always more 'on' each time we got to a lock.

These are the moorings on the island opposite Cliveden - the seen of the loss of our tunnel light two years ago - the tree won the day as we moored up!

More properties to wonder at - lots of '0's' with big numbers in front of them!

These very fit young men from Maidenhead Rowing Club overtook us, turned around and went back again.

What was Bray film studios is looking very sad

Oakley Court Hotel with moorings for patrons.  Chris and I did stay here for one night many years ago - only because in those days you could get free overnight stays with dinner as Barclaycard deals. The wine required a mortgage, however the waiter knocked it over (it was nearly empty), so they did not charge us for it!

 We had intended going to Windsor, however when we stopped at Boveney lock for water the rain was incessant and the mooring looked so inviting that we decided to stop.

The rain did stop mid afternoon so we were able to walk almost all the way to Windsor with Monty.

This is something we would never have seen from the boat

An amazing mural created in 2012

and despite being there 5 years there is only one very small piece of graffiti.

Having gone to good old Mr Google we have discovered that it was created for the Olympics and is interactive - not sure that, had we known, either of us would have been able to work out how to do it, but here is the link if you want more information.

Back to the boat and a non rainy view of Windsor marina across the other side of the racecourse.