Day 5: Windsor to Teddington

We had just stayed overnight in our swankiest hotel of the trip (a mansion estate on the outskirts of Windsor) and were charged and ready for our final day of kayaking. We took our equipment down to the Thames Path near Runnymede and were prepping our kayaks when we get a shout from a nearby house from a middle aged woman who claims we were on her property and that we were trespassing when we were actually on a public footpath.

Our morning got worse when Thom forgot his prized Colorado Rockies Cap and had to go back to the hotel only to get asked to enter the security office of the hotel and watch back footage of us malarking around the night before seeing how many sofas we could sit on in a time limit (see video below...). We were let off with a warning and got on our way heading towards Staines.

Then the rain started. We were happy to continue until Thunder and Lightning struck and then saftey Couch said we must evacuate the water to avoid being a target for London. So we got out water and went for the shelter under the second nearest tree (the nearest wasn't that great for shelter). The storm got worse and while we were busy feeling sorry for our situation we heard a massive bang and turned round to see the tree next to us had been hit by lightning (it was like an airstrike!) We took the sensible situation of waiting out the storm outside a pub (it was too early to get a cheeky beverage), however the Devize to Westminster Racers had caught up with us again and they were not so sensible and got back straight on the water even though they were prime targets for lighting #pushyparent.

After a rain delay we were back on the water but cold and damp so we pushed on with no breaks. We passed Walton on Thames, Sunbury on Thames and Shepperton, taking it in turns to walk alongside the two remaining kayaks. It turns out our kayaking had improved from the start of the trip where we were slower than walking pace to a fast paced jog which meant that the walkers by the side of the river had huge trouble to keep up with the remaining kayaks. 

The rain continued but our spirits were lifted by a quick cake and tea from the Bromley Clan at Kingston. We arrived into Teddington to complete the non tidal Thames at 5pm and were welcomed by friends and family and a live band played in our honour at the pub. Thanks to everyone who supported our journey. We can safely say that we will not be getting in an inflatable kayak anytime soon. Well done to Thom Watts who won the final day kayaker of the day award for perseverance and providing us with much needed would you rather questions and songs.