Return to Marlow

We knew that we had to clear Cookham Lock by four o'clock because of the stoppage. (In fact, the weekend opening was a concession which we only realised when the lock keeper told us about it on the way down!) So we set off in good time, back up the route we had come yesterday. Again, the weather made some of the views especially attractive. There was a little more traffic on the move but, after the mooring rush of rowers out to prove something, there was really not a lot. However, there were plenty of walkers and strollers on the bank sides and at locks.

We also have to make sure that we were able to drop Andrew at a suitable place to catch a train back home. Our plan was to reach Cookham by three at the latest - to allow for any unforeseen hitches.

Coming back upstream we caught a view of Cliveden House that we had missed on the way down - it is only visible in the one direction and for only a short distance.

Cookham was reached with plenty of time to spare and we cruised gently onwards to Marlow, mooring in the same place as two nights ago. We did encounter one problem on the last stretch - the engine battery alarm started sounding again - the same problem as we had last year. No immediate explanation and the battery monitor suggested that there was not actually a problem with charging so it seems, once again, to be the control panel itself. Tackling this is a task for the morrow!

After mooring at Marlow and tea and buns, we walked into town with Andrew to catch his train and a little more shopping. A reduced pack of minced pork from Sainsbury's changed the menu to meatballs!