Off we go… But coffee first… I’m guessing there are no minus 30°C days here. It’s a good thing they painted this tiny traffic circle (roundabout) at the intersection to manage the traffic. Actually, I did not see one vehicle actually use it. It’s as if it doesn’t exist. By this time we had walked just over 3 km (1 km to the train, then 2 km to the trailhead. Ken’s knee began acting up and he was debating whether he could walk the remaining 12 km into Windsor. As soon as the boys sat, the geese and ducks came running…but we had nothing for them.Joseph kindly helped us across 4 lanes of busy traffic when we were blocked by construction. Maidenhead Bridge, designed by Brunel, I believe (he of Clifton Suspension Bridge fame). Ken still sitting on the bench. Walking? Or not walking? The knee was quite troublesome for most of the day. At one point I had decided to hobble to a taxi but while I was talking about it to Terry and working out logistics, it smartened up and with caution I did make it to end of the day. However from now on we have to stratigize how to minimize wear and tear on that old joint. It’s a good thing the trail is pretty level and largely flat. A fence of pink petunias. This whole stretch is millionaires row, according to a local we met. These are ultralight sun umbrellas, black on the inside and reflective silver outside. They work amazingly well at reducing the temperature and there were a couple of days in France when they saved our lives…heatwave and nothing open to get a drink. Except you can get potable water in cemeteries in France. I wish I could have gotten closer to these dahlias but they were on the other side of the lock. Ken takes on lock keeper duty yet again. Don’t press all the buttons at once, Ken, hoping one of them might work. You remember what happened the last time. Went well. This ivy has completely taken over. A magnificent ash. Magnificent enough that he’s been given an identification number. 0022I thought this was aan empty derelict old building. But it’s a very old Church of St Mary of Magdalene (Boveney) that is very slowly being restored by a charity group called “Friends of Friendless Churches”. I had to donate. This was bordering the path on both sides and smells almost like jasmine. Old man’s beard, a type of clematis.Ken wondered if he could drag this chair with him so he would always have a place to sit. This bench looks…um…comfortable. But how can you sit on such a happy face? Happy pup chasing sticks in the stream. Stunning portraits. Is this really graffiti? We had been walking in trees almost the entirety of the day when we suddenly popped out into an open field and saw this. Windsor Castle. Wow. Castle schmastle. Ken’s heading for the pub. The Waterman’s Arms. Been here since 1670. We spent quite a bit of time talking with Paul about… History, politics, you name it. You learn so much chatting with friendly locals. Luna–MaeIt wasn’t won by Ken.Bulbous body and a tiny Brain. Sort of happens the end of every day. (Note that Ken wrote this, not Terry) I have no words. Please don’t ask. Crossing the Thames from Eton to get to our accommodation.An old Ferrari parked across the narrow street. It’s a 1980s vintage Dino 308gt4 that the guys uses on nice days, according to the neighbour owner. Hard to conceive of a guy who owns one of these that doesn’t have a garage but maybe it’s close enough to the guards to scare people off!
We are quite close to Heathrow so there are planes constantly taking off. They finally stopped after midnight for several hours – maybe Charles needs his sleep? But then at 2:00 am I am woken by guys yelling and I thought it was some team or some such from Eton blowing off steam (the McDonald’s across the street is open until 3:00 am – in case Charles gets the midnight munchies?) but it turns out it was the King’s Guard, practicing their match. Apparently they do it in the middle of the night when there are no tourists about…except perhaps the ones they wake up.
Let’s go find food. Really? A McDonald’s right across the street from the castle.?These look like the stupid shiny ball art (Talus Dome) in Edmonton on the Whitemud. Although the Edmonton is huge in comparison. By this time I was pretty cranky as we’d walked in circles looking for the Waitrose grocery. It was in the middle of a shopping area but Google maps assumed everything was on one level when there were probably four. At one point it told me to walk through a train.I finally met some Scouts along here and of course it was the one time I did not have my Lac La Biche Scout badges on me. Sigh. I really really wanted one of these guys! Ken said no. He is mean. There were elephants everywhere. Some of them were being auctioned off for charity. Arrow slit.Amphibious bus…cruise the city then cruise the Thames. Can you ever have too many swans? Yes, yes, you can. Plus one Canadian for good measure. Firethorn bush
Today was a lazy day. Spent a bit of time wandering the outskirts of the castle. Apparently the king was in residence. But I wasn’t invited for high tea. I just knew I should have bought a hat!
It really is disconcerting when you’ve been walking through sheep fields and cow pastures and wooded areas to all of a sudden being in a crowded tourist town like Oxford or Windsor. I think I prefer the quiet trails.
Back to walking tomorrow, last day with full packs and then we have a base in London that we’ll travel back and forth too.
