24th August (cloudy, sunny, mild) 29 km

Windsor township looking very festive with strings of
Union Jacks lining the streets.

Woken in the night by two, what sounded like Polish guys, presumably coming back from the pub. Either that, or they were just naturally inconsiderate, without having to be inebriated to be so. Fortunately, their volume didn’t last too long.

We were surprised when our noisy neighbours were up shortly after us – still just as noisy I might add.  Not a word spoken between them but every noise a body can make without actually talking emanated from their tent as they prepared themselves for work I assume.  Must be a grubby pair as there is no shower on site, and they took off in their van about 7.30am to leave the rest of the campground in peace.

One of the many attractive pubs we have passed.

Up and off by 8am along country lanes and then a very busy B road, taking folk into work. Headed into Windsor to visit a couple of friends who live on yet another hill. Their house is quite spectacular as it’s got turrets on it. Anyway, rocked on up. A fella with a furry hat and a rifle met us on the gate. “Is she up yet” I ask

“Oh aye” he replies

Knocked on the door and this yappy little mutt is snapping around our ankles as it opens.

“Hello there luv…just in time fer bacon and egg butties”

“Smashin” I say….Don’t forget the kettle”

“Calm down..calm down…it”s brewin as we speak”

Windsor Castle

Windsor was bustling with tourists, including ourselves, all trying to take that perfect shot. On the way in, we’d stopped for an early morning coffee at a small Starbucks on the High Street, flags still hanging over the roadway from Harry and Meghans wedding, looked very quaint. From our position in the coffee shop, we could once again see our bikes, but we figured that if anyone were to nick them from this town, Her Majesty would not be best pleased and it would be “Off with the perpetrators head”. Once more, the coffee was of a good standard and we rode into the masses feeling satisfied.

Trying to arrange your photo opportunities whilst balancing a thirty kilo bike amongst so many people does get easier the more you do it, but today was particularly busy and everyone seemed eager to nudge you out of place….well, that wasn’t going to happen. After some good shots in town, we moved out and around the perimeter coming to a big park, not The Long Mile (we’d taken a couple of shots from there on the way in) Here, Julia rode across this great expanse of brown grass to take a full view of the castle, as it’s hard to get it all in from closer.

Then a ride to Wraysbury to meet up with Chris Laiolo and his wife Julie. I knew Chris from my days in Newton in the 70’s. The riding to get there was a combination of B roads and smaller suburban streets, with some very nice homes and your normal run of the mill houses. Arrived at their six bedroom place….always need room for overseas visitors to be met by Julie, who unfortunately wasn’t well, she was losing her voice. Just what she would have needed…. Two Kiwis she hasn’t met before turning up. She was an exceptional host for a good while, as Chris was at a business meeting in London.

It was great to see him again when he finally arrived, by which time we had both showered, aired the tent and packed it away again and hung a stack of washing on Julie’s line. My God, the washing builds quickly. We were served up a delicious lunch and the next ten hours flew by, talking and drinking and learning about each other’s lives from the last thirty seven years. They both have great jobs and we met two of their three kids, James, the youngest and Jessica, the oldest. Didn’t get to meet Nick this time. Julia retired to bed at 10.30pm, followed shortly after by Julie, whilst Chris and I sat reminiscing about our lives. Turned in for a good night’s sleep ready for another catch up with Steve in Ealing, London tomorrow.