A further 50! Walk 27-28/10/2022

Back to Marlow where we finished the previous afternoon- different transport today! Parking at Didcot we catch the train to Reading, change and then to Maidenhead- the branch line to Marlow has been replaced with a bus. We arrive at the back of the station and after a quick falter find the way back towards the town. We know we need to get back to the bridge and stay on the same side of the river but are a little perturbed to see a path closed sign. A helpful local points us in the direction of the churchyard right by the river. Having gone all round the church we come to a path that we should have followed from the Main Street, before we reached the bridge ! Oh well we are now on our way. We are heading for Windsor and this is quite a long stretch so we can’t afford too many errors. No Andrew today but we have got Anna who we have walked with before.

After a short while we are back next to the river and under a road, on the other side we already have evidence of quite an affluent area and we are also amused by the unusual log store!

We’ve been walking quite close to the branch line which wasn’t being used today. It looks as if trains should go from Maidenhead to Bourne End and then back out to Marlow. A large Bridge looms up as we are approaching an increasingly populated area. Populated by very pleasant houses fronting on to the river!

Luckily the railway bridge also has a foot bridge running parallel – sometimes how ever good the map is you are left guessing! We are walking now in Berkshire and can look across to the housing.we come across a group of young people with stoves out cooking their lunch. They have four paddle boards loosely secured together. We had noticed them moving down the river the previous day and had also met a mum/ leader with a very large camera awaiting them. A Gold D of E expedition, we were surprised to hear that wild camping was still banned, due to the pandemic! So they were staying overnight in sea scout huts. Their destination that night was Maidenhead. The smell of the food made us all feel hungry.

As we approached Cookham we found an area with several benches and agreed we should make this our lunch stop. Refreshed we cut away from the river and passed the church. We’d been through this village earlier on the rail replacement bus! However Mirella had helpfully seen a sign so that we knew that the church was 11 th century.

The difficulty with these slightly more populated areas of the Thames is that there are fewer wild wee spots! Luckily this village had a small car park and public conveniences- very well timed and we could all proceed on much more comfortably.

We are looking out for a lane on the left and this and subsequent footpaths cuts off a bend in the river and we miss a lock – I guess there are still some areas of land without owner permission. I’ve alerted everybody to the fact that Cliveden is up high on the opposite bank as soon as we rejoin the river. We’re all old enough to be aware of the Profumo affair – he’d probably just have to apologies now!

As we get to the river bank there are two mature but as Fiona told them, looking very glamorous , ladies in swim suits about to go wild water swimming- with their pink buoyancy aids but also with pearls and various other necklaces. We chatted for a while and then forgot to look up to spot Cliveden. We did catch a glimpse of the house later when we turned back and we were aware of people on the other bank in part of the parkland. On our side an avenue of trees.

Before long we reach houses again – some really extensive, some grand designs and some where they have extended their gardens onto the riverside path. We have a section along the road, with a good path but it does feel a little alien. Perhaps the strangest thing is Boulter Lock which is right next to the road. Quite a lot of splits in the Thames here, including one long loop which goes right away but bends round to rejoin much further along – called Jubilee River ! Maidenhead Bridge approaches, looking very fine in the sunlight.

I notice on the map that at Taplow there were Paper Mills which could be why the lock and the diversions were formed. A bit more of housing edging the path and then under this amazing railway bridge – somebody on the first side is set up with a tripod and was very earnestly eyeing up the arches with his camera. You know how you get the sense that engaging in conversation wouldn’t be very fruitful! Anyway on the other side was a large plaque explaining that this was designed by Brunel and was the longest and shallowest brick arch that was built to support a railway line.

Nothing too much happening on our side- back in Bucks again. On the other side is Bray and there is a discussion about restaurants but nobody can quite remember the name! Under the M4 next, then Dorney Reach on our left, I’m aware of the lakes where the Olympic rowers train – I recognise the name but draw a bit of a blank with the others when I mention it. I can see an embankment but no water – just have to believe they are there. Another busy area of the river with quite a few boats moored by the banks and yet another marina.

The river takes a sharp turn and we can see the large boathouse at the end of the lake. There is an area called Boveney Court and a small church in isolation – it looks rather deserted. On the other bank we can begin to see signs of the Windsor racecourse- we know we still have a way to go but hopefully we will beat the dark.

The area to our left is wide open common land in contrast to the far bank which is more wooded and organised. We are next to Eton Wick and we can just see the top of buildings that are probably part of Eton School. The river wriggles a lot at this point and an A road crosses this area supported on a series of bridges. We go under one and admire it’s decoration. As we come out from this we can see a railway bridge crossing the river- we are getting closer!

The path curves round across a green grassy field and we are able to see our end goal for today- Windsor Castle. The light is beginning to fade and it is beginning to feel like the 24 km we have completed.! We come into the town of Eton and some buy coffee before we cross the bridge into Windsor itself. Next quest find the railway station – first to Slough, then to Reading and lastly onwards to Didcot.

Great weather, good company and some fantastic views.