Windsor - Amerden Caravan Park, Taplow

 Saturday, 24th June 2023

Today we head for  Windsor. Leisurely start, on the road by about 10:00.

Easy going, although, instead of taking us straight down A1 to M25, which I would usually expect, Sat-Nav detours us onto A421 and takes us to M1, then M25.

Hindsight makes me guess that the Sat-nav took into account the state of the M25, and avoided putting us on to it for as long as possible.

The M25 is seldom a pleasure to drive on, no idea why, perhaps Royal Ascot, or, Glastonbury, but the traffic was horrendous traffic on M25, not much above walking pace for mile after mile.

A quick stop at Gary's, to drop off a "spare" bicycle, which I am donating to Gary or Gabriel, unto them to draw lots for it.

First surprise, Gary is not there, he has jetted off to Norway, to do a quick ship inspection job, due back tomorrow.

Then on to Amerden Caravan Site, Taplow.

Seems pleasant enough, not crowded, friendly enough greeting from the Owner/Warden, approach not difficult, but quite a long single track stretch, which thankfully, seems quiet.

In the evening, a short explore on the bicycles, to try and find our route to Gary's, by bicycle, initially not very successful, we end up in someone's garden, near Bray Lock, on the River Thames. 

The owner is initially rather aggressive, but, when he realised we we two harmless pensioners, who had genuinely taken a wrong turn, he was actually quite helpful in pointing us in the right direction.

We find the pedestrian/cycle bridge over the Thames, into the oddly named Monkey Island Lane, and then to Maidenhead Road, once you know where you are going, it is only about 1.5 miles to Maidenhead Road.

I suppose, the moral of the story is, thank goodness it is not America, we may have been shot!.

Sunday, 25th June 2023

Kathleen is going to attend Church at 11:00, in Windsor (St Edward's), with Susana, and Salma. Initially, we believe Gabriel is at Basketball, but, in the event, he turns up at Church, and, sits with his Granny (ie Kathleen), which pleases her very much.

We cycle to Windsor, on the bicycles, 6.22 miles to the church, and, then, on to Gary's.

A quick snack, after which I rope Gabriel into painting the garden fence.

There is a bit of a back story. It is supposed to be Gabriel's chore, but, IMHO, it is a bit intimidating for a 13 year old, it is a pretty big fence! A bit of encouragement is needed.

My technique is simply get the paint and a brush and make. start. It takes about five minutes before Gabriel appears, paint brush in hand and starts helping.

We do a couple of hours, me employing my usual technique of suggesting "why not just do a little more" to get keep Gabriel going, and, get quite a few metres done.

As we paint, we also manage to have a pleasant chat, about various things, but, not least about his recent Presentation at school on the subject of "Competitiveness", which, under the circumstances, turns out to be quite appropriate!

After Gabriel's motivation falters and dies, Kathleen takes over as my fellow painter.

Competitve as ever, Kathleen has to ensure we get at least as much done as the Gabriel/Ken partnership.

We reach the beginning of Salma's play area, at which point, a truce is called and we stop.

I didn't measure it, but, I would estimate 12 linear metres painted, which is about two thirds of one side.

After a brief rest and relaxation, we head off for an evening meal at GoGo's restaurant, in a rather smart Marina, near Windsor Race Course, I doubt many of the clientele here have spent the afternoon painting the garden fence.

After meal, at GoGo's Restaurant, iwe cycle back to the van.

Leaving Gabriel to admire the Lamborghini parked near our bicycles, we were definitely the only customers who arrived on bicycles!

This was not as pleasurable as the ride there. Spitting on to rain, although it never actually rained, and, getting dark.

We do have good lights, but a bit intimidating all the same.

Don't think we will be doing that again.