Flying high over Henley. OK for some

Sunday, 02 October 2011 13:57

Boy, would I love to do this one day

What a view of the River Thames they had - we had a very different one .......

However, how can one grumble when waking up to this?

Early morning at Medmenham

Boating on the Thames means sights like this too

Hambleden Mill below the lock

For some reason I always get this lock confused with Mapledurham - maybe it is the mill connection. Hambleden Mill and weir are mentioned in the Domesday Book and back in 1829 the first University Boat Race took place above the lock. From here on, we had to look out for rowing eights and other craft. Henley is not far away and it was a busy boating day (again). 

Who needs Florida when we can produce sights like this on a Thames Lock-side

It looked as if it was Graduation Day at Henley Management College or Greenlands - lots of suits, pretty dresses and of course, gowns. Once owned by W.H.Smith it must be rather nice to study for an MBA beside the river!

Celebrating by the river at Henley Management School

I was looking forward to seeing Henley without all the regatta paraphernalia lining the river. We thought there would be plenty of moorings available below Henley Bridge. As we reached Temple Island, we began to encounter the "rush hour", mostly coming downstream.

Temple Island

The Royal Berks Fire and Rescue Boat was out to greet us - fortunately we had no need of it, but others did as we saw later.

Five hulky "rescuers" on board

The River Thames is so wide at this point, with the meadows either side of it, we could see why it is such an ideal venue for the Regatta. It did seem a bit strange to cruise where we had not been able to back in July.

This is the Regatta Course behind us

The course ahead towards Henley Bridge

The Regatta Pavilion - denuded (see link to photo, above)

As expected, there were plenty of moorings on the Berkshire side of the river - opposite the Phyllis Court Club. Phyllis Court itself was once an old Manor House. Pulled down in around 1786, it was replaced in 1837 by the present house. The promenade and gardens by the river became the fashionable place to be seen and meet friends. Opposite the Regatta finish, it is still The Place to be on Regatta Day. 

Phyllis Court Club and moorings

Just right for a night, we moored near enough to the town be away from the hustle and bustle - apart from the walkers, cyclist and numerous boats. The world and his wife were in Henley yesterday!

See my next blog for the "rescuers" again and our favourite cafe in Henley.

River Thames, Medmenham to Henley
1 hour 27 minutes, 3.83 miles, 1 lock