Socialising!

One of our big goals for this autumn cruise on the Thames was to catch up with friends and family and over the past few days we have certainly managed to catch up with family, having done some of the friends in Oxford.

No sooner had we let  Jenny's sister,  Rosie,  know that we were in Runneymede than she was making making her way to see us.  We had a lovely evening of laughter and some tears as she comes to terms with loosing her dear husband, Steve,  in the summer. We rarely see Hunters Moon at night and it was great to see her lit up with her solar lights when we returned after a very good steak and a few pints in The Bells of Ouzeley in Old Windsor.

Around Runneymede 

The next evening we visited Graeme, Annette and Molly in their new home in Staines. Once again we enjoyed some excellent food, good wine and beer and great company.  We also saw our pretty lights again.

Staines Town Hall

and

The Swan Master

Then, on our arrival at a lovely mooring in Shepperton Rosie joined us for lunch. We had a pleasant afternoon sitting in the warm, autumn sunshine  on the bank.  Our intention was to start our journey back up river in the afternoon but it was so good relaxing in the sunshine that we decided to stay put.  Rosie then joined us again in the evening, which was great fun and certainly good for Rosie.

We departed early the next morning, with a chill wind blowing but also with glorious sunshine. We made very good progress upstream made all the better for the continued warm sun and the wind abated a bit. Also, only 3 of today's 8 locks were self service, Result!

Along the river