Service at St. Stephen's is at 10 am. Jane probably does it in 5 minutes but James, Stephen and I allow 15 minutes because I am a bit slow. It's lovely that we can walk anywhere here and really don't need a car but most of the sidewalks are slanted somehow towards the street which makes it difficult for me.
Long time friend of the family Peter is a priest, retired now and took the service. We had a long chat with him and his wife ... afterwards. They do have a coffee hour afterwards which is actually also a sherry hour.
Because we chatted so long Bec showed up because she could not get into Jane's house.
Yes, Bec (one of Kate's children) came for the day to visit. She lives near the east coast and has a 2 hour drive each way. Back from church we chatted a little in the garden and then went to the Bexley Arms for a 1 pm lunch. It's right around the corner too.
I noticed that we were sitting at the original table 13 but somebody had decided to make a table 73 out of it. Much better luck.
I was told that the beer glass had not faced to the front.
It was a very nice lunch. 3 of us had the roasted lamb and 2 the roasted beef. All was very nice. Roasted potatoes and all sorts of perfectly cooked (not mushy) veggies came in bowls separately family style. You know what broccoli, carrots, peas and cabbage look like. No photos, ha-ha.
Pudding! (dessert) Why resist?
I had the above mentioned cherry Bakewell steamed pudding and choose custard.
James had the new toffee taffee steamed pudding and Bec the cheesecake. She is famous for the cheesecake she makes. I got her recipe.
Back to the house for more chatting. Of course Bec had to leave because the drive back might even take her longer during Sunday evening traffic around London. You never know. We were so happy that we could see her and that she had made the effort.
James wanted to get some more steps. We had been pretty sedentary today. I wanted to go too. Jane first had said she needed to take care of something but changed her mind (it could wait) and Stephen changed his mind too and we all 4 went.
A new way. Back to the River Thames though.
On the other side supposedly are houses owned by famous people.
An eight with cox boat was rowing passed. Training for Henley?
https://www.hungouttodry.co.uk/wild-swimming-history-eton-windsor
We came across a bench and this stone. The inscription reads: "This bathing place of Athens was presented to Eton College by Hiatt c. Baker in memory of his son John Lionel Baker a brilliant swimmer who spent here many of the happiest hours of his boyhood." He was killed in a flying accident in August 1917 while still a member of the school.
On the side of the stone facing the river the inscription reads: "Bathing regulations at Athens - Fifth Form Nants in First Hundred and Upper and Middle Divisions may bathe at Athens. No bathing at Athens on Sundays after 8.30 a.m. At Athens, boys who are undressed must either get at once into the water or get behind screens when boats containing ladies come in sight. Boys when bathing are not allowed to land on the Windsor Bank or to swim out to launches and barges or to hang onto, or interfere with, boats of any kind. Any boy breaking this rule will be severely punished. From 'School Rules of the River.' 1921"
Finally we came to the lock. The Boveney Lock is upstream from Windsor. It was a lot of fun to watch the action. Once in a while we could even sit on one of the benches. Very entertaining.
On the way back Stephen noticed this fixed to a post. We had just talked about whether or not you should/could give bread to ducks. We have always done it with children and grandchildren and lately I heard that it is not good for the ducks at all. Stephen knows a lot about chickens, ducks etc. He explained to me that it is not something which kills them but if they overeat on it on it, it is harmful.
I am in awe about all the flowers in the gardens here but also about all the wildflowers. So much fun to have a good look at everything.
Suddenly I found that we were at this bridge again. Have I already posted a photo of it? I quite like it.
When I googled on the name of the mural artist Cosmo Sarson I learned about something really interesting. It is an interactive mural. Never heard of something like it. Click on his name and take a look. Wondering whether we should try it?
On the way back we were very thirsty. It was a hot day. We decided to stop at the Vansittart Arms and sat in the garden. Jane knows the owner Helen who came out and went with a basket from table to table and asked "give me your deads" which means "empty glasses".
Great day.
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