The Thames, Windsor to Reading, Part 3

Onwards to Maidenhead....

Monday 3rd June 2013

Towards Bray and Maidenhead there was some amazing houses and hotels, beautiful gardens back on to the river. 

 This was a stunning place, to posh to stop here for lunch I think!

 Our summer residence!

 Our spring residence

 ...and a spare if any visitors want to stay!

Under the beautiful bridge of Maidenhead, and through Boulters Lock and we were in the beautiful 300 year old forest of Cliveden

The wooded banks dominate the river here, islands spring up around several corners, covered in trees, not really sure which way to go!

It was 11.30am and had just got through Cookham lock. Its much quieter at the locks today, thank goodness, and the sun was amazing today. 

Cookham lunch stop

We pulled over on the 24 hr moorings and had lunch and another brilliant meadowed walk for Jack. The mooring was free between 10.00pm & 2.00pm, so by 1.30pm we were off on our way again. 

 We see some amazing sights, look at the pink house in the woods here!

 Placcy boats line up on an overnight mooring... no narrow boats!

Mr Softy..... on the river 

Three hours later we'd gone through Marlow lock, Temple lock and Hurley lock and we wanted to stop before Henley as the moorings in Henley were £8 a night and not very nice!

There was a lovely meadow, £6 a night, so we found a great spot and set up camp. Sheep grazed the meadow, all public right of way, Jack was great ignoring the sheep, only having sneaky little glances now and again! We ate pizza on the meadow in the sunshine and walked for ages in the evening.

Tuesday we were keen to get going again, mainly cos its a beautiful day, but also to get away before the farmer comes to collect his £6! We give Jack another great walk and by 8.30 were off, bit windy again today. 

 Beautiful houses on the approach to Henley wides

 Huge wavey river on our way into Henley

Through one lock with no lock keeper ( first so far) and on our way up the wide open straight section that takes you to Henley. Lots of huge houses, big placcy white and blue boats, the channel I have to take is coned off, power boats to the right, rowers on the left. under the biggest arch of Henley Bridge and out to the next two locks close together. the rivers still huge, wind making small waves on the surface. 

 Going under Henley Bridge, with Tesco truck for a taste of reality!

Leaving Henley Bridge, its a rare empty river. 

Probably because its a week day, and its early! 

We decide to stop in Sonning even tho we went past the first moorings, it was £20 a night!
We go under the bridge and into Sonning Lock, again with huge placcy boats!

Approaching Sonning Bridge

We get to the 24 hr moorings there above the lock and were free! And there was space!

My lovely friend Amanda came to see us with Wilson, her faithful friend. We had a great catch up and went for a lovely walk over the Thames Valley meadows with the dogs. 

 Stopping for a rest

After a crap decision to move the boat and find what looked like a better mooring, unfortunately it turned out to be too shallow so we headed back to our original spot in Sonning for the night.
The next day was Wednesday, and we headed for Tescos in Reading to stock up with goodies. This was another of my old moorings, the Thames & Kennet Marina and outside Tescos. We pulled up at the tree lined towpath, and within an hour we were back on the boat, looking at the view out the side hatch!

View from the side hatch outside Tescos in Reading

After shopping we headed off to the entrance of the Kennet & Avon canal which is right by Tescos. 

So we turned in, off the flowing wide river and back onto the canal, or so we thought ........

Leaving the Thames, onward up the Kennet & Avon Canal!!