This a lovely part of the world and the weather played along with full, though not particularly warm, sunshine. The footpaths in the countryside are a legacy in which the Ramblers Association played a major part and to whom I mentally say thanks every time I walk out. Even now one of their roles is the protection and preservation of pathways throughout the United Kingdom. This small island is so crowded with people but you can still manage to get out in to great open spaces because of this network.
Widbrook Common, cows, the Thames (hidden in the trees) and historic Cliveden on the opposite bank.
Slanting light and the contrails of ubiquitous airplanes.
It had rained for a couple of days beforehand so there was mud. The mud in England is a bit like the South Easter in Cape Town. I know, how is that possible? You forget... the part of the brain that endures the discomfort forgets! And then, it's back and you're thinking "how is it even possible to forget the awfulness of this?" By the time you get home, your boots weigh more than twice what they started out as. And the cleaning of them! The best you can hope for is a couple of puddles before the end of the walk and a good swish around. You don't even want to think about slipping and falling! Too awful to contemplate. Remember, there are cows in this field.
So, step carefully, but take the time to see the beauty.
Then into the pretty little village of Cookham and time for a banana (or preferably chocolate) break at the War Memorial.
We didn't actually walk through the village so I'll save that for another post, but headed back to the path alongside the Thames and down to Maidenhead. Not so much mud here, but watch out for the leaves, after rain they can be slippery.
Opposite is Cliveden Reach which is National Trust and where you can hire boats to hang out on the river.
I don't know if this island does have a name but it should probably be called Duck Island.
The wooden statue of Richard Dimbleby outside his house catches you unawares - he's quite creepy actually. I wonder what he would think of it?
Then we were done.
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