Henley-on-Thames 12 September 2015

On this Saturday morning I joined the Kensington, Chelsea and Westminster Ramblers Group from London for their trip to Henley-on-Thames. I caught the train and met up with them in Twyford for the next train change to our stepping off point. I'd never met any of them before but they were very welcoming. Of a group of 10, two were Spanish ladies who were there independently of each other, an American, a Scotsman, your local Saffer and the rest were English. Quite a diverse group.

And out into the beautiful countryside. It was another beautiful day. You are probably beginning to think that, besides the London trip, there hasn't been any rain. Not so, there's been quite a bit.  I've just been extremely lucky on the walks I've chosen and though we did have a shower in the middle of this walk, it was mainly fine. There were quite a few stiles today. Apparently a lot of them are being replaced by kissing gates. Still lots of nettles though. I wonder if they die down in winter? One Spanish lady said that if you hold your breath when brushing against them, they don't sting. Hmmm. But she was wearing long shorts and didn't seem to be affected. Mind over matter do you think?

We walked past the historic Greys Court and heard stories firstly of a Lord of the Manor who, hiding from the King's men, instructed his manservant to lock him in the cellars. The servant having hidden the key, refused to co-operate with the intruders. Incensed, they killed him and that was it for the Lord.  Then there was the bride who on her wedding day when playing hide & seek with the wedding guests, hid in a wooden chest in the attic which closed tight and locked, she couldn't get out and was never found. Not a lucky place then.

 

4.5 miles in it was time for lunch - thank goodness! We had reached Rotherfield Peppard and stopped at the Red Lion.

 

 



Beer shandy - perfect on a warm day.

It's quite hard to get going again after a break - or maybe it was the shandy? So we started off slowly. On the outskirts of the village we walked past the author, Elizabeth Goudge's cottage.

 Woodlands, grasslands, fields, curious cows - there was a bit of everything - even a few hills.

This was quite a long walk - 9 miles. I was very happy to see the outskirts of Henley-on-Thames.

With a bit of time to wait for the next train, there was time to head down to the river and find ice creams.

It was quite a relief to hop on to the train and take the weight off my feet.  See you next week ...