London Calling Week 9 - Windsor to Woolhampton

Monday 29th July - Windsor to Cookham

We set off from Windsor in brilliant sunshine, lovely cruise ahead!

The waterfront at Bray, beautiful houses with lovely gardens and river launches moored at the end of the gardens.

Maidenhead Bridge, where Dave worked at Desborough Boys School for several years.

This stunning sculpture in the grounds of Cliveden House is by Anthony Caro and is called 'Double Tent'.  Sir Anthony Caro, (born March 8, 1924, died October 23, 2013), English sculptor of abstract, loosely geometrical metal constructions.

We came under Cookham Bridge and moored up for the night opposite the Care Home!  Very quiet and pleasant spot.  We met up with Jenny and David from N/B Dulwich 3  at one of the many pubs.  They were on their way to the River Wey!

Sir Stanley Spencer, was an English painter. Shortly after leaving the Slade School of Art, Spencer became well known for his paintings depicting Biblical scenes occurring as if in Cookham, the small village beside the River Thames where he was born and spent much of his life. The Wesleyan Chapel in Cookham High Street was built in 1846. In 2006/7 the building was completely refurbished at a cost of over £800,000 thanks to the Heritage Lottery Fund and was reopened on 29 September 2007, creating a modern, light space which displays Spencer’s works to their best advantage.

Our peaceful mooring.

I was very excited to spot this bird in the early evening, I think it is a great crested grebe.  The great crested grebe is a delightfully elegant waterbird with ornate head plumes which led to its being hunted for its feathers, almost leading to its extermination from the UK. They dive to feed and also to escape, preferring this to flying. On land they are clumsy because their feet are placed so far back on their bodies. 

9 miles, 4 locks, 4 hrs 6 mins cruising time.

Tuesday 30th July - Cookham

Today we have decided to stay in Cookham for an extra day as the weather is meant to be wet and windy!  We have also arranged to meet friends Elaine and Steve for lunch at a different pub, and very pleasant it was too!  Thanks to them for coming to see us!

Wednesday 31st July - Cookham to Marlow

Jenny and David set out much earlier than we did, a better day than yesterday but still a little on the chilly side.

A rather imposing house which has crenellated towers, a mini castle in effect, on the way to Marlow Lock.

The only lock of the day, with a pretty lock keeper's cottage.  Many of the cottages are being refurbished and the resident lock keepers are moving in to live in them.  This one has already been done up and looks very attractive,

We moored below Marlow Bridge and had a lovely walk along the river to Temple Lock and back before leaving Toby on the boat and walking into the town to do some shopping.  This is Bisham Church next door to Bisham Abbey which  was once home to Henry VIII and Elizabeth I and is now  one of Sport England's National Sports Centres and is home to a number of National Governing Bodies of Sport. Bisham Abbey provides excellent facilities to Britain's leading sports men and women, and aims to provide a world class experience. 

3.25 miles, 1 lock, 1 hour 54 mins cruising time.

Thursday 1st August - Marlow to Sonning-on-Thames

We left Marlow and headed towards Hurley Lock, I spotted this ornate building as we approached the lock.  Harleyford Estate is one of the most beautiful private country estates in the South of England. The 18th Century Grade 1 Listed Georgian Manor House was restored in 1989.

Culham Court is a large country house in a landscaped park overlooking the River Thames. It was built in 1771 for Robert Mitchell. 

Temple Island is situated a mile and a half downstream of the picturesque market town of Henley-on-Thames, on one of the most beautiful stretches of the River Thames.  Located amidst rolling water meadows and surrounded by wooded hills, it marks the start of the famous Henley Royal Regatta Course.

This is Phyllis Court where Dave's Mum used to go for special lunches, a beautiful view of the River Thames and the Henley Regatta.

A picture of Henley including the bridge, church and The Angel on the Bridge.

This is the St.George and Dragon in Wargrave, we hired a little boat from here to celebrate Granny's 70th birthday.  It has all changed now, I couldn't see any little boats for hire!

Here we are, moored up in Sonning, the Sonning Bridge is in the distance and the church is to the left but hidden by the trees.  Dave and I were married there in February 1982 and Laura was christened there in 1986.  We visited the church and The Bull, and in the evening we were treated to bell ringing practice, lovely!

14.5 miles, 5 locks, 5 hrs cruising time.

Friday 2nd August - Sonning-on-Thames to Burghfield, Kennet and Avon Canal

This morning we headed up through Sonning Lock and towards Reading.  This is Sonning Bridge with one way traffic through the clearly marked bridge hole.  The road bridge is also one way traffic.

This is Reading Canoe Centre, we spent many hours accompanying our girls when they were Sea Cadets and used this part of the river to take part in rowing competitions.

Here we are taking the left turn onto the Kennet and Avon Canal, we went through Blake's Lock which resembles a Thames Lock and is manned and then we went through the middle of Reading.

This is the end of Cholmeley Road, Dave used to share a house here with friends long before I met him, a real trip down memory lane!

 Huntley & Palmers started life in 1822 as a small bakery in London Street, Reading. In 1846 the firm opened a large factory on Kings Road in Reading and by 1900 this business was the largest biscuit manufacturer in the world, employing over 5,000 people. The firm merged with other biscuit makers including Peek Frean to become Associated Biscuit Manufacturers Ltd in 1969.  The Reading factory closed in 1972.

The centre of Reading is worked on a traffic light system, as we approached and Dave pressed the button it changed to green immediately and we continued through the town centre.

The Oracle was a fairly recent development when we used to live in Thatcham and it was our preferred choice for major shopping expeditions over Newbury.

Having passed through Reading we headed for Burghfield where we were going to spend the night.  The Kennet & Avon Canal is actually made up of three historic waterways, the Kennet Navigation, the Avon Navigation and the Kennet & Avon Canal.  At the moment the navigation swaps between the canal and the River Kennet, with weirs and smaller rivers flowing into the waterway.

6.5 miles, 5 locks, 4 hrs cruising time.

Saturday 3rd August - Burghfield to Woolhampton

We set out from Burghfield ahead of a boat coming through Burghfield Bridge, this meant that we would have a boat to share the wide locks with.  One of our first locks was Garston Lock.  This lock has now been preserved along with the one at Monkey Lock.

Garston turf-sided Lock is a particularly good example of a canal turf lock.

 Garston Turf-sided Lock is totally surrounded by trees, wildflowers, reeds and so on. Also at Garston turf lock there are two World War 2 pillboxes (which are now under preservation) and both of which fit in beautifully with the immediate area. 

This is Ufton Swing Bridge and Ufton Lock which is no longer used.

The canal here runs parallel to the railway line and the A4 which is on the other side of the railway line, three modes of transport.

This boat has 'One Life - Live It' written on the side of the boat, our sentiment exactly!

During WW2 the Kennet and Avon was used as a second line of defence against possible invasion and pill boxes were placed strategically along the canal.  Today has been a long day!

8.25 miles, 8 locks, 7 movable bridges, 7 hrs cruising time. 

Sunday 4th August - Woolhampton

Today we have decided to have a rest day, explore the area and treat ourselves to lunch at The Rowbarge.

This photo was taken at 10am, the hire boat had spent the night moored on the lock landing and the crew were enjoying their Sunday breakfast.  However it was causing all sorts of problems for other boaters wanting to tie up to operate the lock.  Not a good start to a Sunday morning for some!

We enjoyed a pleasant walk through the Berkshire countryside and a relax on the towpath.