Rural Thames Path section 4 - Henley-on-Thames to Reading (Sept 14th 2013)

Unfortunatley, after looking through my emails last night, I've discovered that I need to get back home before Monday, as I have a couple of interviews booked! The plan today was to go as far as perhaps Streatley or Goring before catching the train back to Reading for the night. But I've changed the plan so that I stop at Reading, just a short 12 mile hike. 

After a hearty breakfast, I set off down to the Thames from my hotel and head on upstream towards Shiplake.

Henley

Henley on Thames bridge

Soon we come along to Marsh Lock with its fabulous long wooden causeway stretching out into the middle of the river and then back onto land, and we continue through to Park Place, on ever muddier fields! The track is narrow and very difficult in negotiate in places! 

There are impressive houses on the riverbank as always and upon entering Shiplake's environs, I see one house has a very large miniature railway set up in the gardens! Past through Shiplake without event and soon back in the mud, trudging along! We come across Shiplake lock, then the College with its cute little boathouse.

this is part of a railway set, it's bigger than me! 

Pear trees

Shiplake College

Shiplake Boathouse

We carry on through ever more slippery fields, until we come to Sonning, with its quaint little bridge, and which has a postbox in the middle of it! Over the river! Cross over the bridge and then down past Sonning Lock and onwards to Reading.

Damsons?

Sonning Lock

Gates near the Reading Blue Coat School

Soon I see some familiar buildings in the distance like the ORACLE building which I recall from many years ago. I head through the park then turn off from the Thames Path and head into town where I am staying at the Ibis Hotel. 

View from the window at the Ibis

I check in and have a shower, clean myself up before sitting down and gathering my thoughts and notes of the past few days. Since Worcester Park, I have done 117.1km, 73.2 miles, and my feet are shouting at me for being so inconsiderate! If it wasn't for the interviews, I'd have carried on towards Abingdon and Oxford before returning home, but this will have to be arranged for another day.

The other thing on my mind is should I be aiming more north than the meandering course I've taken so far? It's all very well wanting to complete certain trails but really, at the end of the day, I'm supposed to be trying to get to Cape Wrath. I suppose the next section after Oxford will be the Oxford to Coventry Canal Walk...

Rural Thames Path Section 3 - Maidenhead to Henley-on- Thames (Sept 13th 2013)

After a reasonable night's sleep, given the room, I feel a lot more refreshed than yesterday morning and ready to tackle the walk to Henley-on-Thames! I leave the hotel bright and early and head on over to the other side of Maidenhead to rejoin the Thames Path. As I do so, I catch a glimpse of a bridge, one designed by one of my heroes of the Victorian Age, Isambard Kingdom Brunel. 

Maidenhead Rail Bridge

Fountain in Maidenhead

We then head on up a path by the river towards Cookham. It's begun to steadily drizzle over the course of the morning, but given it's still warm, I'm getting drenched both inside and outside my jacket which is distinctly uncomfortable! Eventually we come to Boulter's lock. 

Boulter's lock

After we pass the lock, the path becomes a trail and gets greener, surrounded by trees and valley slopes. We are like this until we glimpse Cliveden up in the hills and then we turn off to Cookham. Cookham is a nice little village with a cracking church, the Holy Trinity. Apparently, my wife was bridesmaid there twice for her cousins as her Aunt and Uncle lived in Cookham! 

Cliveden

The Kings Arms, Cookham

Holy Trinity, Cookham

We pass through the graveyard and see the Thames appear back in front of us. Now the trail gets muddier with no gravel/tarmac paths for the first time on this walk, and with the constant drizzle, it becomes a little treacherous! Cross over a pretty green railway bridge, well, it would be pretty if it wasn't covered in plastic tarpaulin for repainting! The sheer size of the houses on the riverside leave me gobsmacked as we plod on through to Marlow.

Old Father Thames watching me go by...

Eventually I see Marlow lock and a large steeple announcing the town itself. I know that there is a Pugin church in Marlow and I hunt for it. Unfortunately, St Peter's RC Church is considered one of Pugin's least inspired designs and I'm left feeling underwhelmed. The All Saints Church by the river though, is a fine looking church! 

Marlow Suspension Bridge and All Saints Church

St Peter's RC Church

As much as I wanted to like Marlow with its fashionable shops and boutiques, there was a distinct air of snobbery, especially with the likes of a sweaty, dusty, muddy hiker strolling down the high street! It especially came to the fore as I was trying to find the path out and onwards to Henley-on Thames, but these oiks in SUITS, yes, SUITS, not a school uniform as we know it, tried to not see me coming towards them. I'm sorry to say, you're never going to knock down an 18 stone adult with a hefty backpack and an attitude!

By this time, I've lost the path and was heading up the A4155, which is a very busy road with no paths! Fortunately, after braving it for a few miles, a kindly old lady who took pity on me, stopped and gave me a lift to the outskirts of Henley-on-Thames and I walk the rest of the way to the Catherine Wheel, my billet for the night.

(As a footnote, I have to mention the excellent Brewhouse where I had some lovely local ales and a nice conversation with a deaf-aware barmaid who could sign a little! Do look it up if ever you're there! http://thehenleybrewhouse.co.uk)