Maharaja's Well
Weir End
Toll charges at Pangbourne bridgeYouth Hostel Trip Friday April 24
After saying 'Goodbye' to Pam and Pete,we headed south following Pete's suggested route, joining the A4155 at Bourne End and followed it through Marlow to Mill End. Here we decided to cross the Thames via the weir and then use the quiet road to Henley via Remenham, enjoying the sight and sound of several red kites. At Henley we had a latish 11s, some choosing to get another stamp on their Wetherspoons coffee card. Lunch was at a recently refurbished pub at Satwell, not quite yet fully operational. A couple of miles further on we stopped to admire the Maharajah's Well followed by 3s at the Village Store. At Woodcote we made a diversion to Catsbrain Hill, the climb well worth it for the view (including Didcot Power Station). Soon we arrived at Goring where with time in hand we checked out the bridge and lock, arriving at the hostel (just over the bridge) at Streatley. We chose to eat at the pub almost next door, from which most of us managed to return before the warden locked the Hostel door at 11pm. (Those of us tucked up in bed and almost asleep heard calls from outside which sounded something like 'Nooooorman').
Youth Hostel Trip Saturday April 25
After solving the mystery of the vanishing Full English Breakfast (see Ed), we left on damp roads but it wasn't raining. After using the A329 to Pangbourne we crossed the Thames via the toll bridge (we went free) and soon turned onto a bridleway which was roughish in parts but well worth it for the views (including a field of alpacas) and peace and quiet. Crossing the Thames again at Caversham bridge we found our way out of Reading which included a pleasant stretch alongside the river. As suggested by Lisa we had (latish) 11s at Twyford Waitrose where we also bought a picnic lunch, consumed on roadside seats at Paley Street, within walking distance of t'pub. The sun continued to shine on us as we headed home via Winkfield, Ascot racecourse and Chobham Common to our final cup of tea at Addlestone Tesco, after which we went our separate ways.
Terry
After saying 'Goodbye' to Pam and Pete,we headed south following Pete's suggested route, joining the A4155 at Bourne End and followed it through Marlow to Mill End. Here we decided to cross the Thames via the weir and then use the quiet road to Henley via Remenham, enjoying the sight and sound of several red kites. At Henley we had a latish 11s, some choosing to get another stamp on their Wetherspoons coffee card. Lunch was at a recently refurbished pub at Satwell, not quite yet fully operational. A couple of miles further on we stopped to admire the Maharajah's Well followed by 3s at the Village Store. At Woodcote we made a diversion to Catsbrain Hill, the climb well worth it for the view (including Didcot Power Station). Soon we arrived at Goring where with time in hand we checked out the bridge and lock, arriving at the hostel (just over the bridge) at Streatley. We chose to eat at the pub almost next door, from which most of us managed to return before the warden locked the Hostel door at 11pm. (Those of us tucked up in bed and almost asleep heard calls from outside which sounded something like 'Nooooorman').
Youth Hostel Trip Saturday April 25
After solving the mystery of the vanishing Full English Breakfast (see Ed), we left on damp roads but it wasn't raining. After using the A329 to Pangbourne we crossed the Thames via the toll bridge (we went free) and soon turned onto a bridleway which was roughish in parts but well worth it for the views (including a field of alpacas) and peace and quiet. Crossing the Thames again at Caversham bridge we found our way out of Reading which included a pleasant stretch alongside the river. As suggested by Lisa we had (latish) 11s at Twyford Waitrose where we also bought a picnic lunch, consumed on roadside seats at Paley Street, within walking distance of t'pub. The sun continued to shine on us as we headed home via Winkfield, Ascot racecourse and Chobham Common to our final cup of tea at Addlestone Tesco, after which we went our separate ways.
Terry
Author: Lisa
