On Thursday 14th March, a dozen of the u3a Amblers group met at Boulters Lock car park to commence our walk. Please view the photos below, taken by Eileen Harris and the author, Dave Humphries.
Starting at the lock itself, which was very quiet apart from a lock keeper touching up the white paint here and there along the lock cut. We crossed to small stone bridge, marvelling at the level of the river after the recent rains. Most of us explored Ray Mill Island and the weir at the far end before retracing our steps and the full group crossed (what I consider) the new bridge across the Thames to the Taplow bank.
We wend our way through the landscaped and well planted areas to the path alongside the (rather concrete at this point) Jubilee river and on through the residential developments, with their ‘Wharf’ and ‘Mill’ buildings. Curving around with Mill Lane, we reached the Taplow Riverside park, more landscaping with playgrounds for kids.
We emerged from the Taplow Riverside park onto Bath Road (A4), crossing the Maidenhead bridge with a couple of photos taken, before immediately bearing round into Maidenhead Bridge Park with fountain and plenty of birds. Heading north up Lower Cookham Road, alongside the river whenever possible, we did deviate to enjoy a beverage in Jenners’ Cafe in ‘Riverside gardens’, taking in the colourful flower beds in the crazy golf course.
The whole amble was the usual 4 km or 2.5 miles and the weather improved as the amble progressed. I will probably repeat this amble in the summer, likely in the opposite direction for a bit of variety, and taking refreshment on Ray Mill Island.
The most frequent comment I hear on my ambles is “I’ve lived here for years, but never knew this was here” – why not join us next time and discover what you may be missing?
Dave Humphries
Photos provided by Eileen Harris and Dave Humphries.
Logged in members can see details of next month’s meeting here with convenor contact details.