Week by week we’ve been keeping you updated as to what facilities have re-opened along the Thames. First it was the outdoor venues like the gardens of the National Trust properties; then the boats; then the pubs, restaurants and hotels. And most recently the museums have re-opened (The River and Rowing Museum in Henley is the latest). It seems now that we’ve reached a stage where we are as close to normal as we can get.
Whilst this state of “new normality” is not quite what we are used to, it seems it is likely to be with us for a while. If we focus on the positives: we can now travel to the Thames Path (including using public transport); we can refresh ourselves in the bars and restaurants along the Path; we can stay at hotels; and we can breathe in the healthy air that only outdoor exercise can offer. The negatives: we must bring a face mask for when we use public transport or visit a shop; and there will be no performing arts along the way. Aside from that, everything is back to normal.
This week marks the 400th anniversary of the sailing of the Mayflower. It’s easy to forget that the Mayflower actually departed from Rotherhithe London, together with another ship, Speedwell, which had come from Leiden in Holland. The Speedwell ran into difficulties past Land’s End and both ships returned to Plymouth where the Speedwell was abandoned and 20 passengers joined the already crowded Mayflower. The rest, as they say, is history with the Mayflower landing near Cape Cod. There is a complete program celebrating the 400th anniversary which can be found here. In fact, a new £2 coin is about to be launched commemorating the Mayflower.
The right-bank route of the Thames Path runs through Rotherhithe (between Tower Bridge and Greenwich). The Mayflower pub, reputedly dating back to 1550, and overlooking the jetty where the Mayflower would have docked, is the perfect place to stop and soak in the atmosphere of this historic place. Close by is the Brunel Museum, dedicated to the engineer whose railway bridges we so admire whilst on the Thames Path.
The Mayflower Pub is one of many restaurants along the Thames Path participating in the “Eat Out to Help Out” scheme: 50% off your meal up to £10. The scheme launched yesterday and runs Monday – Wednesday throughout August.
Last week we spent some time on the short stretch between Reading and Sonning. We started at the car park at Thames Valley Park, 95 miles from source – so just over half-way. Although a business park housing the likes of Microsoft and Oracle, there is a large stretch of parkland between the offices and the river, popular with dog walkers (and geese!).
Beyond the river on the far side (although not visible from the riverbank) is the Redgrave Pinsent Rowing Lake, a purpose built lake made from gravel pits. It’s a reminder that, from Reading down to Windsor, we are in rowing territory with Henley, Marlow and Dorney Lake still to come. An attempt has been made by the developers/owners of the business park to preserve wildlife through the nature reserve a little further down from the car park. No, you won’t see herds of deer roaming about. But you will see wildflowers, butterflies and birds.
It’s only 1.7 miles to the bridge at Sonning but what a delight this village is. There are three super hotels here (Great House, French Horn and Bull), the first two of which are on the river. Sonning is home to some of the rich and famous: George and Amal Clooney live here, as do Theresa May and Uri Geller (remember him?). If you take a stroll from the bridge into the village its not hard to see why.
Take good care of yourselves!
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