With a strong flow on the river still we made a prompt start so that we could get as far as possible today, leaving only a short stretch for the morning. We have to do a car shuffle as well as drive back home.
As we left the mooring - advertised charge £8 per night - a parking attendant turned up in his van and started knocking on the adjacent boats. Hopefully he didn't think that we pushed off quickly after seeing him. If you are reading this, sorry but it was not at all deliberate!
It was a grey and even misty morning to begine with but the day gradually improved and for most of the time it was bright and sunny. At times, it was almost like summer, so long as there was no breeze which could still occasionally be rather sharp.
Another panorama bridge shot, this time of Maidenhead Bridge, just above the railway bridge where we moored.
After working through first Boulter's Lock and then Cookham, we reached Bourne End. Along the way we passed along Cliveden Deep where, for just a short distance, there is a good view of Cliveden House itself.
There are a number of estate houses bordering the river, including a grand boat landing.
At Bourne End there was as very convenient boatyard with the service pontoon that was easy to approach. We filled up with fuel whilst Andrew popped to the nearby shops for the usual paper, milk and bread. Pushing against the flow takes quite a lot more fuel than usual so we were rather glad to have found a top up at last. We probably would have had enough to see us back to Caversham but a fast flowing wide river is not the the best place to run dry.
By mid-morning - the above shot was taken just after 11 o'clock - the sun had arrived and the rest of the day was really pleasant. Many of the stretches were now quite wide which meant that for most of the day we were able to progress at over 3 miles an hour over the ground instead of yesterday's meagre 2.25! Even so, when on occasions the channel narrowed, the effect was very immediate and obvious.
Riverside house come in all sorts of shapes and sizes - no doubt this one was a delight to its original owner!
Below Marlow the A404 Marlow Bypass crosses the river. Minus the sound of traffic and any noise from the aircraft leaving their vapour trails, it all looks quite elegant.
Marlow is very much a town lock with all sorts of developments crowding in on the lock. Oh look, there is stranger. What are you doing here?
Above the lock and the extensive weir, the scene is definitely chocolate box country!
At Hurley Lock the keeper was just going off for lunch after opening the bottom gates for us to come in, leaving it on Self Service. This was convenient as, by setting the water tap to fill very, very slowly we could have a useful lunch break as well as using the usual disposal facilities. The footbridge just above the lock is rather attractive.
Medmenham Abbey was originally a base for Cistercian Monks, founded 1200AD, up to the dissolution of the monasteries. For the last two or three centuries it seems to have been associated with less spiritual matters, having at one time been the base for the Hellfire Club. It is now a private residence.
We now approached Henley. The approach from downstream is marked by the highly-regarded Business College (now part of Reading University) and Temple Island.
Nearer to the town centre, preparations are already well under way for the famous Henley Regatta held each July. The wide, straight section of the river is favoured for this event which must see a phenomenal amount of money being spent. These preparations - stands and marquees and so on - on their own will not come cheap!
Andrew walked the three mile section from Hambledon to Marsh Lock and was already there when we arrived. The approach to the lock is a little tricky as the eddies from the adjacent weir spill across the lock entrance.
A number of small islands punctuate the river. In some cases there are directions about which side to take but in others we were left guessing.
This boat had a sign saying that it was for sale with an asking price of £170,000. Just think how much money is tied up in all the boats we have passed today, many tied up ate marinas and boatyards and only used a few times each year.
The last couple of locks were on Self Service but as they are all now on public power they are straightforward to operate. Five years ago when we first came this way some had to be operated manually out of hours and required a lot of energy!
Shiplake College is an independent schools taking both boys (from 11) and girls (from 16). Boarding pupils pay up to £28,000 a year in fees. A good number were out taking advantage of the substantial rowing facilities which the school has to offer.
This bird, silhouetted against the late afternoon sky, could be seen from some distance away. It looked at first as if it was attempting to imitate the Angel of the North.
Sonning Bridge looks as if it is a major bottleneck. Traffic can only cross one way at a time and lights lead to the build up of long queues. We happily sailed underneath, unhindered by other boats!
We moored above Sonning Lock. There is a good length of free mooring here, even if the bank is a bit ragged in places. We now only have a short distance to cover in the morning.
22.1 miles - 9 locks
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