Boat Trip - Day 4: Windsor Day Vis

I have a bad sleep. A drip landed on my forehead at 3:30 and I lay awake for 1-2hrs. Paranoia kicks in and I Imagine that we were drifting off our mooring. Check Google maps, still where we should be. Wake again at 7am and get up. We discussed leaving early because if we don't we'll cause chaos at the lock. Rob M is up and by 8am we're heading down river; just after we leave we see a boat heading towards lock so we timed it just right. 

Rob M says he sees smoke on the water. We then can't get the tune out of our heads. The Thames is peaceful and clear. A kingfisher flies close to the river surface, early morning sun lighting up his blue plumage. Unlike yesterday we see a few mooring spots that have now been vacated. 

We passed the mooring spot that we abandoned. Bastards.

The plan today is to get to Windsor and moor up there. We were told that on day 3 or 4 we'd need to find a marina and empty the poop tank and fill up the water supply. We passed Bourne End Marina yesterday (twice) and this has a space right where we need it so Rob parks it perfectly. The place is not officially open until 9am so we have to hang about. We're there 2 hours in the end. The guy that does the emptying is very nice and takes our rubbish away too. 

Onwards to Cookham Lock, which is halfway past Odney. Past the filming spot where we were denied a berth. From chatting to someone later in the day I find out they were filming The Marlow Murder Club starring Samantha Bond, whoever that is. Lock is a doddle.

Wind picks up on way to Maidenhead and Boulters Lock. There's a bit more of a crowd there so a little more pressure. It doesn't go too badly tbh. This stretch of river runs alongside the main road and Lisa recognises it from when we went for a walk with her cousin. 

Bray lock goes ok too. After that we pass Oakley Court, which is setting up for a wedding. Lisa is showering and misses it. No picture either, soz. There's a film studio, and more big houses with immaculate gardens. Some are for sale. 

Boveney Lock proves to be tricky - crosswinds, traffic, awkward mooring spot and missed attempt at tying up the back hives us problems. A guy in a little green canal boat in front of us gives a bit of help. He's soon moaning at his Mrs for trying to rope up too soon or something. He's also stressing in the lock because lock keeper has us move up too far and he's had his boat damaged by a Le Boat before. His Mrs is the one that tells me about the filming in Cookham. We're all heading for Windsor and she says just don't take their mooring spot. I can't promise that, I say. After the lock we overtake and in Windsor we try a mooring spot, fail, move to another at Baths Island. The little green boat takes the original spot we tried, so we inadvertently tried to nick their spot. They must have been cursing us. I imagine the guy going apeshit. Chill out mofo.

Mooring charge (£10) is paid to Bailiff; we wait 30 mins, no-one appears so we sod off into town. Shops then Wetherspoons. Then girls insist on Cocktails which we have at Banana Tree in Windsor. Pina Coladas pass the Lisa test. We get 2 mojito's for free due to some mix up, happy days. So in total 6 cocktails for £60. All a bit smashed.

Back to boat and there's a little drizzle in the air. Wine is poured and I set up a film to watch: Lisa Frankenstein. It's about a girl who accidentally brings a dead guy back to life but he needs some body parts replacing. It's not bad. Halfway through I smell weed and some bloke has decided to get blazed on the bench right next to the boat. The smell reminds me of home. He goes, since other random people turn up but there's no trouble. A kayak club and French Brother ferries are continually operating in the water. 

The evening finishes with gin rummy, during which Rob M randomly burps out loud "Uri Geller". You had to be there.