Day 9: Marlow to Henley-on-Thames (Section 2)

Section 2
Hurley to Henley

Every year there are tragic drownings in the river especially in the Summer. This year is no exception, only last week a man drowned in Hampton as he tried to swim across the river. 

 Quite refreshing to see this row of small bungalows as most of the property by the river is on a much larger scale.

 Like these houses.

These are the Frogmill barns, very distinctive with the stone and flint pattern. Now they have been converted into mdern homes.

 The Thames path is very well signposted. I know you are all thinking. Why signs? Don't you just follow the river. Mostly yes but there are parts where the land down to the river is privately owned so the path takes you inland for a while.

I love the way the willows dip their branches into the water.

 This is the Danesfield Hotel, built in the 1900s.

 This old tree stump was next to a gate, not sure why. It reminded me of a child's high chair.

 Took this photo of the herd of cows. I was so busy looking at the cows that I didn't even notice that the path went towards them. I continued to walk by the river and ended up at a dead end of barbed wire and had to retrace my steps to get around the cows..

 You can just about see the deer in the far distance.

The path went uphill at this point and then round a corner we were treated to these beautiful views.

These are the Chiltern hills.

 This is 'The Flowerpot'. Seems an unusual name for an inn. Inside there are lots of fish in glass cases maybe to encourage the stories about 'the one that got away'.

 Walking down the lane from the pub you come out at this landing stage.

 Hambleden Lock. The remains of a Roman farmstead were found here in 1912. There was also a mill on this site from 1086 and milling continued until 1952 when the present mill beside the weir stopped work.

 Across the river is 'Greenlands' built in 1853 for WH Smith, the bookseller, who became Viscount Hambleden.

 

 This small temple is on an island and denotes the end of the long regatta reach from Henley. It is actually a fishing lodge with a cupola on the top and a sculpture of a naked lady looking towards Henley.

 You can see how straight the river is from here.This is the Henley Royal Regatta course of 1 mile and 450 yards (2km 21m). The Oxford versus Cambridge boat race was held here in 1829 but was then moved much further downstream between Putney and Mortlake. During the first week of July each year is the Henley Regatta with lots of different races taking place along this course. I deliberately waited until it had finished as I wouldn't have been able to walk along the path.

 Evidence of the regatta was still in place. Here, they were removing the piles that marked the course.

 

 This is Henley Bridge. The path along the river has been concreted to allow the coaches of the rowing teams to cycle along here and yell their instructions to the boat crews.

The Tower of St Mary's Church overlooking the town and the river.

The sign of the Leander Rowing Club, the world's most prestigious club which hosts the Henley Regatta each year.

                           The Leander Clubhouse.