Notes
ish, mostly off road along towpaths. Route planning for DW. Lovely weather, like July. Train to Slough - hired mountain bike (robust but heavy), then backwards along route, i.e. upstream - Romney (Eton), Boveney, Bray, Boulters, Cookham, Marlow, Temple, Hurley, Hambledon, Marsh. Train back from Henley. Had hoped for Old Windsor and Shiplake too (and maybe Bell Weir and Sonning), but there you go. Lots of hopping around, jog up, have a look, back on bike. The day felt long enough.
There are a million ludicrous "no cycling" signs along the almost whole length of this towpath. On the bike, I'm glad to report, they just flash by. You hardly notice them.
Slough was not looking especially glamorous. Eton with its usual groomed theme park feel, but no sign of pupils (presumably on holiday). River by Maidenhead is all white 'I have made it' houses, patriotic flagpoles by manicured lawns down to the river. Even the geese look combed and prosperous. Lovely floodplains in next section - Marlow clone of Henley. Went up over Winter Hill by Marlow. It is one vast, vast river bend N by Henley, E near Marlow, S to Eton.