cloud cover, tiny amount of drizzle, mild. 17.4 miles.
The last day of 2011 started dark but as soon as i stepped outside it was obviously mild as forecast. The trains worked out fine and it was daylight time i started at Henley-on-Thames, Today i really came against the problem of how many photo’s to take big time, there was just so much to see, (the only problem with photo’s is they make the blog slow to load, so have only posted a selection).
immediately i started along the river bank i came upon an imitation paddle steamer.
Then it’s a bridge over the river as the path swaps banks once again, this area is famous for the wind in the willows story book and i wonder what christmas at toad hall was like.
Must have been quite a few going there for it to have a road sign put up giving directions. I set of along the path which had plenty of dog walkers and again a lot of rowing boats (boy they are fast at passing me), with a fine view back of the fine bridge i had crossed.
Not far along the path appears temple island which is more stunning than my poor image captured.
As ever the path becomes open fields, lots of great properties to ogle, locks, weirs and a few barges moving along their watery path. At Aston the path diverts inland for a small loop past a pub called “The flower pot” this stood out as there was a real white peacock on it’s brick parapet staring down at me like he really was king of his castle. Soon back on the river bank and more fields to enjoy (with yes the occasional green parakeet flying around) and then approaching Hurley there was a llama in a paddock with a bunch of goats as company, the goats were only concerned with butting each other as goats do. I also passed the remains of a tree where some one had been showing of their skills with a chain saw.
Hurley was rather interesting with first a small wooden bridge to cross onto an island that housed a tea shop not open and the lock keepers cottage.
Now more interesting for summer hikers a bridge from this island led to a camping island (a board said see lock keeper for casual camping permit) of a summer evening i should think it would be great there was even a barbecue for use, i had already become hungry and enjoyed cheese and biscuits as well as the view for a while. Another small wooden bridge like the one onto the island got me off the island then a short distance along a much bigger structure is used to change banks once again. Soon i came to what is so far this most muddy slippery section of the Thames path i have found, but i navigated the half mile or so without going horizontal, nearing Marlow there is a splendid church on the opposite bank.
Then Marlow bridge comes into view (i didn’t have to cross this one).
The path here leaves the river bank for a short while behind the church in the photo, luckily there was a tea shop here (note Marlow prices aint low), so when i regained the river bank i could enjoy the view and a tea which was cooling nicely, back on the path soon passing under a major road bridge (modern concrete) and a lovely trundle to Bourne End where an old railway bridge hoves into view, this is still in use and there is a foot section alongside the rail track which is handy as you have guessed right it’s time to change river banks again.
The path becomes open countryside again for the stroll to Cookham where once again the path diverts inland to see another village containing some fine architecture and the path passes through the church yard.
The path follows some minor roads/tracks before regaining the river bank and they are perfectly pleasant. It gets a bit different hear, as rather than the normal open fields opposite, there is a steep limestone cliff covered in trees, as i approached Maidenhead i expected over developed modern housing but was wrong and what some fine old properties there are so i had to photograph one.
There was also a very realistic dummy enjoying watching the world go by in a garden across one stream.
Upon reaching Maidenhead bridge it was turn for the town centre to find the rail station about a mile from the path, once i got of the (A) road it was quiet streets lined with shops and quite nice really. All in all a terrific day, there were stations available that could have made the day shorter, and anyone could take a picnic on a summers day and loose hours exploring a little of the path and small towns villages which i walked through but not around.
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