That's Monday if, like me, you're losing track.
Things didn't start well with it raining as I arrived back in Reading. I found my way to the path. There's a detour due to Reading Bridge itself being closed (causing traffic chaos) but I managed and continued with the plodding. The first treat of the day was two black swans. Wow! I've only ever seen them in Oz before. I didn't think we had them here. Weirdly enough, the previous day I had been pondering what might happen if some were released. And here was the answer. A local, later in the day, told me that they are included in the Swan Upping count although I'm not sure they belong to The Queen as they're not mute swans. The great crested grebe swimming around behind them didn't get a look in this time.
The scenery was becoming more beautiful given that it was no longer flat all the time. There's something rather special seeing the sweep of the river with a backdrop of trees going up a hill. The houses were carrying on the chocolate box picture competition (am I showing my age?). Shiplake was gorgeous and yet again I couldn't help but wonder who the people are who live in these places. None more so than when I found a miniature railway, complete with a scale replica of St Moritz station! The other person taking pictures knew nothing about it either. Turns out the place is called Bolney Court but other information is hard to find.
Wandering on, I nipped into the River and Rowing Museum to use their facilities. It looks modern and bright. There were several groups of fairly small schoolchildren being entertained and educated. It might have beem related to a Wind in the Willows exhibition. It's always great to see museums and galleries making an effort to involve young people.
Henley-on-Thames is known for its annual regatta and there are boats everywhere. Over the bridge, they were getting ready for this year's shindig in the first week of July. The course is a one mile straight stretch of the river - must be the only bit! All very impressive with Temple Island at the far end. However, far more exciting to me was the appearance of numerous red kites swooping and soaring and, occasionally, landing. I did my best to take some photographs. I wouldn't normally use the word awesome but I think it'll do the job this time.
So, having seen the kites, a 9" gauge railway and many beautiful houses, what next? The answer was - a private deer park! Now I can go and see deer whenever I like, living not far from Richmond Park, but it was the idea of having your own private deer park that boggled my mind. Keeps the grass cut, I suppose. There was also the picturesque and ancient All Saints Church at Bisham nestling on the other bank as I approached Marlow.
The lady from my b&b for the night had contacted me during the day offering to collect me as the weather hadn't been so good. As I entered Higginson Park, pausing to take out my phone, this swan swept towards me on the water and gave me the 'look'. Honestly, at the beginning of this journey, the geese wouldn't say boo to a human, now the geese are hissing at me and the swans are asking for snacks!
The b&b was very lovely and dinner was courtesy of Waitrose.
What a lovely day, lovely dayyyyyyyyy.
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