Cookham, Life After Work

We were quite pleased to leave Windsor this morning. The mooring was OK but we have had better. It was also quite windy, busy with foreigners and the Thames path was just full of litter. We were not impressed with the river at Windsor. Town was lovely, but please do something to smarten up the riverbanks!
Filled with water and did Elsan at Boveney Lock. before cruising passed the Oakley Court Hotel, apparently the scenario for many a Hammer House of Horrors film. Nearby were Bray film studios where they were made .It looks very regal today. 

Oakley Court Hotel

We also caught a glimpse of Clivedon House NT in the trees but mooring was full so did not visit,  add on list for next time.


Seen a lot of cruisers with the name Le Boat. Worked out they are hire boats, some are very nice indeed. We may need to investigate these!

Le Boat

Very busy at the locks today and had to wait over 40 mins queueing at one stage. The lock keeper at Boulters Lock was very unhelpful and just walked off to his office and left all us boaters to sort our own ropes. This was not easy as the depth is 7' 10", the one time you needed help it wasn't there! After a few minutes he came back to operate the lock, with no apology and proceeded to fill the lock quite fast. We were not impressed. On the reverse there was a lovely lady lockkeeper at Cookham lock 4'3" who could not have been more helpful and filled the lock very slowly. We thanked her most kindly and even she said she was not like the men who rush the fill.

We were just approaching Cookham when we were hailed by a narrowboat moored on the left bank. At first we did not recognise the boat , but then realised it was our friends from South Africa, Cecilia and Brian. We had first met them many years ago at Aquaduct Marina where they first moored when starting out boating. They have retired and come to live in England on the boat. Anyway they have been doing the Kennet and Avon and were on their way to Brentford (doing the reverse trip to us) and then on up the Grand Union to find new moorings for the winter at Bartons Turn. As it happens they were leaving just as we pulled up to chat and therefore we took their mooring. Thanks Brian and Cecilia, hope to catch up with you again in the winter!


Brian and Cecilia - n.b. Life After Work