Start - Windsor
Finish - Marlow
Geocaches - 12
Pubs - Kings Arms, Cookham and the Butchers Tap, Marlow
Previous Stages - Stage 1, Stage 2, Stage 3, Stage 4, Stage 5, Stage 6, Stage 7, Stage 8, Stage 9, Stage 10
Stage 11 of the London Countryway, the longest walk and quite a different feel to the previous stages. Starting at Windsor, I pick up the Thames Path and stick to it. A whole day of river walking, with the only exception a short climb onto Winter Hill.
It's kind of a shame to leaving Windsor immediately after arriving. Its a short hop from the Central station down to the river and over the pedestrian bridge to Eton, shedding a tear that 9am on a Saturday morning is too early for a Good Beer Guide tick at the George.
Still, the view from the opposite side of the river is impressive.
Windsor Castle from the North Bank |
Geocaching on the Thames Path |
A hotel, next to Bray Studios (where they filmed all the Good Hammer Horrors) |
Less Care spent on their boats |
Coming into Maidenhead |
The next stretch is described by the Geocache listings as the finest part of the whole of the Thames Path. I'd only caveat that with the bit through the City but its probably correct. There's a series of weirs, islands and the hanging gardens of Cliveden on the opposite side to marvel at. I finished the walk with a burning desire to re-read Jerome K Jerome's "Three Men in a Boat".
Thames Path upstream of Maindenhead is a delight |
Rebellion IPA sold in the Kings Arms. £4.40 a Pint |
But is was £4.40 well spent |
Onwards and upwards for the final leg..... literally, as I have the only climb of the day to Winter Hill. It promises more than it delivers. The OS Map signifies a viewpoint but you can't see much through the trees.
Cock Marsh outside of Cookham |
Winter Hill Views |
I've not been to Marlow before and I'm pleased the route creator, Keith Chesterton, chose this place as the leaving point to enter the Chilterns. Its a much bigger town than I expected and crossing the stunning suspension bridge next to the church raises the spirits when you are on weary legs, 14 miles into a trek.
Crossing into Marlow |
View from the Bridge |
Much as Rick Stein is synonymous with Padstow, Tom Kerridge appears to own Marlow. I had a long conversation on the train in about whether the Hand and Flowers would be suitable for a man that is would only be interested in a Michelin starred restaurant if the beer is good. Google maps showed it as Greene King, so this is unlikely. My fellow passenger reeled off all the places in town that Tom owns and suggested that the Butcher's Tap might be more up my street.
This triggered memories from an article in the Times about how the butchers shop continues as a pub. I had to investigate.
Doing what it says on the Tin |
I was forced to share seating arrangement but there was only enough meat based pastry snacks for one.
Tightly packed punters meant I was closer to my Rebellion Gold than I would have liked |
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