Quiet Day and then First Cycling Day

May 2 and 3:  Yesterday was a catchup day (Betsy wrote up the Wallingford Regatta), rest day (to let the blisters heal), fix-it day (I needed to get my sunglasses repaired) and shopping day (another run to Marks and Spencer for groceries).  We were successful on all fronts, but Betsy's blisters on her pinky toes are slow to relent.  We had dinner in of pizza and salad, and beer/wine.  We have been enjoying the  flat amenities and have had excellent breakfasts and adequate dinners.  The only possible complaint is the washer-dryer in a single unit.  The washer works fine, but the dryer (in the same drum/tub) is a concept that has not arrived.  We suspect that there is no way to have the drum both water-tight and able to move air through it for drying.  It seems to merely heat the wet clothes, which allows for faster drying when they are hung over the radiators in the flat.  Based on our radio, we have pretty much figured out "digital audio broadcasting" or DAB.  England, as well as 20+ other countries, broadcast a variety of radio programs in digital format, sort of like of what the US did for TV broadcasting.  The programs run 24-7, and the radio itself has a display that identifies the music currently playing.  The closest the US has to this system is XM-Sirius satellite radio and various internet streaming stations.

Today, we "reentered" Windsor Castle in time to watch the changing of the guard.  The choreography was a bit strange - lots of stomping around by guards in bright red uniforms and "bearskin hats," officers or senior NCOs who marched back and forth while the rest stood at parade rest with their rifles.  After about 15 minutes or more of this, a second contingent of guards marched in, preceded by 10 bagpipers and 10 drummers.  The band sounded great.  They marched over to one side and stood around waiting for something.  Then they played a piece, marched to the other side of the grounds and stood at rest again.  Meanwhile, a small of guards walked  to the upper portions of the castle grounds, followed by presumably a different group marching back down.  They went into the Guards Room.  The band departed, followed by the relieved guards, and all but one of the new guards filed into the Guard Room.  That concluded the ceremony.  It was scenic, but mystifying.

We went down the pedestrian mall for a coffee and a Cornish pasty.

Then we strolled along the Thames waterfront watching the antics of swans, geese, and ducks.

After arriving home, we searched for nearby bike rental shops, knowing there were none in Windsor.  I first discovered a place in Ascot, but a phone call revealed that they had moved to a Nottingham and never updated their website.  I found another rental place in Slough (rhymes with "cow") that seemed perfect, so  I called and reserved 2 hybrid bikes for 2 days.  We caught a bus mid-afternoon and arrived in Slough in no time.  It is the next major city north of the Windsor/Eton by about 2 miles.  We paid our money and got out-fitted with 2 decent bikes.

We were given a map that described a route to Maidenhead along the Jubilee River.  After cycling along the city sidewalk about 5 blocks, we joined the cycle path, number 61, a part of the National Cycle Network.  It was quiet, level and nearly free of people.  We sped along a chipped path, though there were gates/barriers at crossing roads which required dismounting.  We arrived in Maidenhead, crossing the Thames River and the Thames Path that we walked a few days prior.  We had to go along a couple of busy streets, which was fine when there is a sidewalk, an act of valor  at rush hour when there was not.  We reached Cycle Path 4 which took us back to Windsor by way of Bray, Dorney Lake, and Eton.  We will be doing more of this path over the next couple of days.  We rode through the Windsor city center, uphill past the castle and on to our flat.  It was a great first ride of a modest 15 miles distance.