Today an even early start. It is 7.35 as the engine roars into action. Sorry neighbouring boats!
Cookham and all its boating residents were probably asleep as Hallmark edged into the glasslike river. Looking back Marsh Meadow looked so peaceful.
Just like Cookham itself. Some wonderful old buildings and a Norman church, three pubs (the Kings Arms is worth a visit) but no real shop for provisions. The garage sells a small amount of food but no bread!
The Cookham reach suddenly ends with a railway bridge carrying the ‘branch line’ to Bourne End. The bridge also carries the Thames Path which is sort of hung on the side of the original bridge.
Bourne End is home of the famous Upper Thames Sailing Club. One of the two places in the world that race Thames Raters, these are crewed by three people and have very tall masts.
Marlow is a delightful town with an outstanding and elegant suspension bridge built in 1832 and alongside the spire of All Saints church.
Marlow lock was the first one of the day and here Hallmark hit it first problem.
A kind person offered to do the gates and the sluices but decided to start the upper sluices before Hallmark for safely tied up! All was sorted and the bubbling, foaming water was halted in time!
As Hallmark’s early morning cruise continues the reflections are amazing. Here are some photos.
It is then Henley. This was to be day 3’s overnight. But I decided to press on after a another lunch on soup. The town was still clearing up after its recent regatta with the last few tents and river piles and booms being removed. Nonetheless Henley sitting on the Oxfordshire bank still had its attractive and charming waterfront.
Suddenly the grand house of Buckingham and Berkshire are gone. Large meadows are on both sides. I see some birds of prey. They seem to be worrying young sheep
At times the river gets really remote.
Not what one would expect so near to the local towns. There are lots of willows, reed beads and low lying pastures.
The are also a good few small islands and a lack of channel markers means you sometimes go the ‘long way round’ but what peace there is to be found.
Sonning Bridge is the jewel of the many bridges passed so far. I counted it has 11 arches and only the central one is navigable
Loads of people were swimming around the arches area having recently jumped off. So Hallmark was reduced to ‘snail pace’
Just in time I spied two gin places approaching from up river and my brass horn was snatched into action. A crash of plastic and steel was averted!
The long day is nearly over. Reading approaches.
Two goals to be accomplished. The first is fuel and water at the very large Thames and Kennet Marina.
It takes an hours and hand hauling a broken down narrow boat.
Hallmark’s visit here is more successful than its last (was it 12 years ago) when the throttle jammed and Hallmark raced across the newly opened and luckily almost empty marina and ran up a sandy shore!
The second was the Caversham Tesco, which is right on the river and so I combined shopping and a night’s stay.
Looks great Dave. Fantastic pictures and glad you made it safely through the lock inspite of the drama!!!
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