We left Bourne End yesterday at about 10:15 and the heat was as oppressive as it's been over the weekend ..
... this lovely cottage was just about obscured from view from our mooring but as we passed I could see that it was as pretty as I expected it to be - the sort of place I'd like to live if not on Rock n Roll ...
... the visitor moorings that we've just left at Bourne End ...
... we soon see signs of every day working life ... the use of the river to carry building supplies ...
... and thatchers at work ...
... Wooton Boatyard at Gibraltar Island with ...
... lovely houses both at river level ...
... and up on the hillside ...
... with boathouses ...
... and fortifications no less!
The River Thames is so well used ... by children having great fun, you could hardly hear yourself speak ...
... and swimmers too.
Which way to go around this island - there's a tiny blue sign in the trees but too far away to read ...
... well it's definitely not to the left anyway ...
... turning right on the approach to Marlow Lock ...
... with it's smart lockside properties ...
... and sundial which reads FUGIT UMBRA
(Vita fugit, sicut umbra (Life passes like the shadow.)
... boats waiting to enter as we leave Marlow lock ...
... with both a functional and an attractive footbridge ...
... Marlow Church as we ...
... steer to the left past the weir towards the suspension bridge ...
... past to-die-for houses ...
... this looks interesting, but I can't find anything on the internet ...
... All Saints Church, Marlow ...
... and the view as we leave ...
... no moorings at Marlow town moorings on race days.
Bisham Church as we approach ...
... and a more direct view ...
... and Bisham Abbey ...
... built mainly in the ...
... 14th and 16 centuries ...
... is now a sports centre whose programme strongly features river activities.
The approach to Temple Lock ...
... after which we pull into these visitor moorings ...
... at Harleyford Marina where we visited a well stocked chandlery - the staff at the chandlery and marina office were most helpful and friendly we would definitely call here again after being give a 10% discount on our purchases!
Although I saw the blue self-service sign at Hurley Lock when the lock was ready for us there was a chap operating it; he was only wearing shorts, which I did think unusual, but accepted as he seemed to be 'in charge'. Three boats when in before us, two of them very small motor boats and a narrowboat, but the way they tied at the sides there was no room for us; I called to him that one of the small boats should go behind the narrowboat and that would give us room (all the time thinking he didn't know his job too well, he should have organised the mooring better). It was only as we were leaving (last) and I saw him climb into his his tiny motor boat to enter the lock that I realised he was just helping out! I apologised to him profusely, having shouted instructions to him on how the lock should be filled - but he was fine, smiled and said don' t worry about it!
Anyone for ice-cream ...
Danesfield House Hotel high above the river ...
... and the Magna Carta Hotel Boat passing close by on the bend ...
... I couldn't decide if the tower was a 'folly' or ruin ...
... a beautiful building - but a pair of semi's ...
... temporary booked mooring places - a sign that we're getting near Henley ...
... past the ......... Love Shack ? ...
... and on to Hambleden Lock ...
... and a lady lock keeper ...
... towards Henley Reach ...
... where preparations are ongoing for the Regatta ...
... past River House and it's Lavender beds ...
... to Henley Regatta Start Line looking down the course ...
... to the pavilions ...
... on the other side of Temple Island ...
... practice makes perfect? ...
... looking back - the Temple is a folly designed by James Wyatt as a fishing lodge - now available for hire ..
... we slow down to let the trip boat pass us as the channel here is very narrow ...
... and busy with other 'traffic' too.
There will be plenty to eat ...
... when the regatta starts on Wednesday ...
... and to drink too on the London Bus ...
... if you can afford the mooring fees, that is ...
... but it's much cheaper further along ...
... by the official hospitality pavilions
The river is busy still as we approach the town ...
... past the stands and ...
... VIP lounge at the finish line ...
... probably a restaurant, but so pretty ...
... we are at a standstill whilst they sort themselves out ...
... past ornate chalets ...
... and beach-like marquees ...
... to Henley Bridge ...
... and Old Father Thames ...
... out past 'The Angel' and the Parish Church of Saint Mary the Virgin ...
... and steam trip boat The New Orleans ...
... past Henley Town moorings ...
... where you can moor for free between 10am-3pm except during regatta week when Monday to Thursday it's £40 and £50 for the weekend!!
Approaching Marsh Lock ... we were told by Harleyford Marina manager that there are some nice moorings beyond here on the left near the island ...
... they were a bit further than we thought but had a nice welcome from these mandarin ducks as we arrived opposite Poplar Eyot with the rain!
Tuesday morning - raining again - we'll stay here today ... view from the bow ...
... and the side hatch ...
... and the stern as tugboat Churn tows his load.
Then along comes NB Poppy - great to see Julia and Mark again albeit so briefly as they passed us.
