Tuesday, 15 September 2015

The beautiful Thames

12.09.15

From a glorious mooring just upstream of Cookham on a field in the sun which cost us the grand sum of £6 to stay on, we moved on through Cliveden's beautiful high banks thick with trees and Boulters Lock with its scented angel trumpet bushes, through Maidenhead towards Windsor, but stopped short to be on another quiet mooring opposite grand houses by Dorney Reach: the Olympic rowing and canoeing venue. Far from the madding crowd once again.

A sponsored walk/jog/run of 100km was taking place at Cookham, it appeared to be for lots of different charities, probably of each individual's choice and it seemed to go on through the night. Brave people. Pete kept commented on them as they trudged past; "that chap was 18stone when he started" (of a slim whippet of a bloke) and "she had her hair done this morning" (of a woman with a wild windswept barnet)! A triathlon was happening at Dorney Reach, more sporty fit people. Us meanwhile, sit in the bow in the sunshine reading the paper! Oh, I should say, Pete paddles his canoe, I, meanwhile, do nothing!!!

If the sun shines (and it has been) this is a perfect time of year to be cruising these parts of the Thames. The trees are just beginning to change colour, the river is peaceful and not too full of boat traffic: the odd sailing club's boats floating back and forth in Cookham on a Saturday afternoon managed very adeptly by 10-12 year old kids and rowers and canoeists training. Everyone is happy and smiley and slow.





Alaska letting off steam in Marlow Lock





Taking a punt


Pretty little duck who was very shy


The view from our bow on Cookham mooring


Swan family by night


Mural celebrating Magna Carta at Bell Weir Lock, Runnymede

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