August

Although the shoulder is a lot better (ultrasound, Sissal spikey ball and exercises), I have not wanted to risk it with too much typing and mouse.  However, it looks as though the summer has come to an end and I am moored up in a fantastic spot on the Kennet and Avon for a few days so will at least post some of the photos since my last post.

I ended up staying at Hurley for a week.  Photo above is the view from the nearby footbridge (below).

My mooring at Hurley, as I am about to move off.

 My cousin Margaret's daughter and family are on holiday in London and we arrange to meet up for the day.

I pick them up at Maidenhead.

Fraser proved an excellent helmsman giving me a rare chance to enjoy the view from the bow while Callum and Cameron shared the work.

Monkey Island, where the 3rd Duke of Marlborough built his fishing lodge and pavilion in 1744, using rubble salvaged from the great fire of London.  It became an Inn about 1840 and Edward VII and Queen Alexandra had tea there.  Now a hotel and wedding venue.  Despite monkey paintings on one of the ceilings, the name comes from a corruption of Monk's Eyot.

A lovely day and I spend another night at Maidenhead after dropping the family back at their car.

The rowing course built for the 2012 Olympics.

Now the rowing centre for Eton

Windsor Castle comes into view.

 

The Air Forces Memorial at Runnymede commemorates by name over 20,000 airmen who were lost in the Second World War during operations from bases in the United Kingdom and North and Western Europe, and who have no known graves. They served in Bomber, Fighter, Coastal, Transport, Flying Training and Maintenance Commands, and came from all parts of the Commonwealth. Some were from countries in continental Europe which had been overrun but whose airmen continued to fight in the ranks of the Royal Air Force.

The memorial was designed by Sir Edward Maufe with sculpture by Vernon Hill. The Memorial was unveiled by The Queen on 17 October 1953.  More details HERE

The Magna Carta Memorial

The riverbank at Runnymede is the ancient ‘meeting meadow’ which witnessed King John’s sealing of the Magna Carta in 1215.

Also on the site is the British memorial to John F Kennedy.

Many and varied are the means of transport

Egyptian Geese

It takes all sorts

I moor up at Staines for a couple of nights.  Unfortunately this will be the limit of my Thames cruise this year.  I had intended to travel into London but have been a bit curtailed by the shoulder.  Maybe next year.

Pair of Cormorants admiring the view

There are plenty of brilliant moorings on this stretch.  Unfortunately mooring is prohibited on pain of treason - they are the extensive grounds of Windsor Great Park.

Alternative living arrangements.

Another view of Monkey Island on the way back

The wooded stretch approaching Cliveden

Built in 1851, Cliveden has a chequered history.  The home of the Astor family from 1893 (purchased for $1.25m), it was used as a hospital by the Canadians in the first world war and has boasted many famous visitors including President Roosevelt, Charlie Chaplin and George-Bernard Shaw.  Perhaps the most infamous visitors were Christine Keeler and John Profumo who started their affair there in the early 60's.  The Beatles even filmed part of HELP at Cliveden. 

It became a luxury hotel in 1985.  You can book a room for this Saturday from £1104 per night - that does include breakfast!  There are cheaper options available on other dates or you could book the whole place next year for £55,750 per night (up to 74 guests in 37 rooms).  More about the history HERE

The Complete Angler at Marlow

Travelling towards Henley

Plenty of moorings near Henley - all at £8 per night.

I wonder who stays in places like this - not the "ordinary people" for sure.

Passing through Henley

I soon get back to Reading and turn onto the K&A again, so that is it for the Thames this year.  One thing I kept thinking when moored on the Thames, mostly for free, was "How much would I pay for a hotel room here with this outlook?".  My license for the Thames cost about £300 extra so, ignoring mooring fees, it worked out at about £6 per night - not sure I would get many hotels at that rate!

That also raps up August.  Hopefully an update on September before long.

To end of August

TOTAL:  588 miles; 321 locks (82 broad; 37 large; 15 moveable bridges)