Day 55: 21.7 miles from Wallingford to Sonning
Today was the only hill on the whole route. The hills round here are made of chalk, and near the appropriately named Goring, the river cut itself a new channel through the hills during the Ice Age. So the river banks are steep hills for a while, which made for a good change from the flat.
The path wound it's way up though the woods and at the top handily came out of the woods so you could see the views. Not long before the track went back down to the river, a quick lunch and Deep Heat stop at the Greyhound Pub in Whitchurch-upon-Thames, and then back to it.
Was apprehensive about this afternoon's run, as it went though Reading, which I'm not a fan of. The first part was a bit ropey, along the back of the railway line, with lots of people drinking cider and someone being sick in the river. We speeded up. But, actually, the rest of the run past Reading was really nice, through some meadows and then along a long riverside promenade, with lots of birds and the ever present swans. I was quite taken with it. The guidebook states some interesting observations on Reading "Reading is an odd town, in that it stands on the Kennet rather than the Thames, and has never quite worked out a relationship with the river" and "the sense of escape here is a little premature, as Reading still has a supermarket and mighty gasholder to contribute to the Thames environment". What also contributed to the Thames environment here were Andrew's jokes "Reading - there are lots of libraries here".
Leaving Reading (although sadly not the jokes) behind, we soon came upon a regatta with all sorts of military teams taking part. First regatta have seen, but it won't be the last on this run - it is regatta season on the Thames!
Arrived in Sonning for the night, and stayed at the Bull Inn, where Jerome K Jerome stayed. Amazing place - can feel the walls whispering stories of all that's passed there. Good food, a walk around the village, and a film, and ready for the next day.....
Day 56: 14.5 miles from Sonning to Marlow
.....and another great breakfast! Smoked salmon and scrambled eggs.
Today is the first of two shorter days. A great days running through Henley-on-Thames where there was lots of Henley Regatta activities going on, which made a few miles go past really fast. Stopped off at the Flower Pot Inn for a lemonade - have been here before as it's nearby to a campsite we've stayed at before, which we then ran past. Nice to see favourite places again.
Continued on to Temple Lock, where the lock keeper asked about my running top which says about 100 Days on it, and he ran with us down the lock clapping and cheering, along with two ladies on a bench - made my day!
Feeling buoyed by the support, continued down the river, which is lined by weeping willows by this point, and is exactly like Wind in the Willows would be - I'm sure I saw Mr Toad messing about in a boat under this very tree.
Continued happily on the Marlow where the days run ended. Stayed in the Crown Plaza hotel, which is actually in an industrial estate, but which had an outdoor hot tub = result!
Stats
Total days: 56
Total miles: 597.5 miles
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