Ken started out before us as I took Peter back to see the Lego triceratops but it was already gone. Back on the trail, walking through parks, along the Thames past derelict boats piled with trash (another man’s treasure?), through fields and woods – a huge diversity of tracks today. Peter trailed behind collecting empty snail shells for diorama idea that he has.
Kens thoughts: pretty good start to a day with well timed food breaks. however, not all of it stayed with me. Must have been the peppers. Kind of took the omph out of me so s
I sort of staggered to the finish. We’ll see if the old bod bounces back again tomorrow. Otherwise just like Terry describes it, getting more urban as we go especially with the aquatic tent towns and the overflowing bins in Reading not to mention the pretty much constant drone from Heathrow. Those who can afford it have riverfront property and I would imagine the public trail is a chronic annoyance but too bad. The river traffic very busy today, and according to the last lock keeper the upcoming bank holiday weekend will certainly bring them out in droves for one last blast of summer. Should be interesting to witness.
Full English for 5 pounds. They do have yummy bacon here! That’s not a smiley face, Ken! An accidental smile in Ken’s coffee must be a good omen for the day. Oh, don’t worry. We will! The truck of Ken’s dreams.We had a 1951 Air stream at one time. This whole stretch of the Thames going through Reading is filled with abandoned boats and piles of stuff…its like a homeless encampment with boats instead of tents. But some of the boats do have owners who look after their boats. They could have shortened this sign by just saying “No Fun Allowed”. Another gentleman feeding the birds. It’s a thoughtful gesture except the gate does not appear to go, anywhere? Padron peppers. Ken was happy not to have to share with Scott and Antonio. In Spain it was a Russian roulette game, because once in a while you would get a burning hot pepper. Not this time though. Peter loves his “pints”…of Coke Zero. The boys leaving me behind. Common Hawthorn Hairy WillowherbPeter’s way back in the middle of this picture. We are about 50 km from Heathrow Airport and were serenaded all afternoon by the sound of low flying jets taking off. What have these trees seen in their centuries old lifetimes? If they could only talk. It was recommended on the, Thames River Facebook page to take the train from Shiplake to Henley and not walk the diversion route (a detour because a bridge is out). Apparently the diversion is very long and unappealing road walking. So we took the 5 minute train ride in the two-coach train. It’s £3.61 but because we are a “group” we get a discount and it was £7 for the three of us. Coming into Henley, the stunning Imperial Hotel. But… We have booked two rooms in a 4 room flat with shared bath.
We’ve decided to start using a home base for a few days so that we can walk without the backpacks. They aren’t overly heavy but it is so much more pleasant without them. We will walk, then train back to Henley. For the next two days.
