A bunch of bloggers and Royal Windsor.

We set off earlier than normal to get to Windsor early. it was lovely and quiet as we left our mooring. 'Festina Lente' and 'Ferndale' had set off much earlier than us as usual.

Apparently there had been plans to replace this bridge with a 'better' concrete modern one in the 1960's. The locals wont the aurgument and so it still graces the Thames at Marlow.

On approaching the weir at Marlow lock it appears to be quite fearsome, and so it must be when the river is in spate, but not a problem today. Our plan for a quick passage through locks was dashed at the first as a work boat with a barge muscled in and so everything was quite slow.

The next navigational hazard we came across was a raft of boats across the river at Spade Oak! We had found a posse of bloggers and they obviously had their magnet activated as 'Holderness' made a sharp turn to st'bd. The cruiser moored astern of the raft new when he was outnumbered and sped off leaving us to hang onto the mooring astern of the others. We were soon sat on the stern of 'Still Rockin'' and there was plenty of room for eleven of us. It was great to meet the the crew of 'No Problem XL' for the first time and 'Still Rockin'' for this first time since our first year out. The tea and tabnabs were great but we were off again after an hour or so.

Whilst visiting with the posse of Bloggers Carol told us that there was to be a stoppage at Penton Hook Lock which could cause problems for us to get to the Wey. I asked at Cookham lock but they knew nothing of it. There are lovely woods down the following reach and a lovely view of Cliveden that was built by Charles Barry in 1851 for the Duke of Sutherland. Nancy, Lady Astor lived there but now it is owned by the National Trust. Maybe next time down this way we will get to make a visit.

We were travelling down now with three other boats and it took time cramming them all in so we weren't rushing through. The brisge above is at the foot of Boulter's Lock and was filled with watchers, but just Mum and toddler waited to see us safely out.

This great little hideaway looked great near Maidenhead. The slipper launch looked beautiful and the rioom above was a great man cave.

We passed Bray Film Studios that looked boarded up. It was the home of Hammer Horror films until the late 1960's. The company also owned this house that is Oakley Court. It was built in 1859 for Sir Richard Hall-Say who had inherited great wealth. It was subsequently sold on and finally to Hammer Films in 1949. When the studios were built close by Oakley Court was still used for occasional exterior shots. It is an hotel now.

The Lock Keeper at Boveney Lock had heard of the stoppage but assured us that it was an overnight job so all should be fine. I will check when I have finished this to make sure. We walked into Windsor that was heaving. That is the trouble after the peace of the river it is quite abrupt coming across teeming hoards. We therefore decided to walk over the river to have a look at Eton that would be quieter. This is the Library of Eaton College. It looks like the College is getting a new playground as the quad was being dug up.

The cannon was captured during the Crimean War 1855.

We saw this Anthony Gormley Statue that was stuck up a wall and horizontal to the pavement. It looked bronze so it must have had some heavy duty anchoring in the wall.

The library and chapel.

The view of the castle from Windsor Bridge.

This Hawker Hurricane is on a roundabout at Alexandra Gardens as the designer was from Windsor.

We were a little disappointed that we didn't have enough time to 'do' the castle but we will stop tomorrow morning to see the changing of the guard.