Stage 11 - Maidenhead to Marlow

Dear Bertie,

It's back to work for Daddy and back to us walking alone again!

Today we headed back to Maidenhead. You ate on the train to save time and we arrived at the station and passed the big clock tower.

We re-joined the river in wonderful sunshine. You got hungry after 20 minutes so we stopped on a riverside bench and watched some ducks. I hoped you would eat quickly as it was rather chilly!

We passed through another wood which looks like where the Gruffalo might live.

Along a beautiful stretch of the river where our friend Megan lives in Cookham.

Across a big green train bridge -

Past a big harbour full of boats, including this one which is one of Mummy's nicknames.

We finished at Marlow's very small station before starting our 4 train journey home in time for tea.

TOTAL DISTANCE: 14 KM

Breastfeeding stops: 1

Nappy changes: 3

Crying episodes: 0 yah!

Feed stops:
On the train!

GPS link: 
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/29037034

Stage 10: Windsor to Maidenhead

Dear Bertie,

Second walk of the week and again Daddy is with us again, yah!

You had your breakfast as we headed back to Windsor for our start. Walking through town, along the river and through a meadow, I told you about the triathlon I did here a few years ago. I wonder if you might do triathlons one day?

It was very windy so we took shelter on the tree-lined river path.

And passed some black and white graffiti artist portraits.

We went under the M4, the motorway we take to go to Wales which we would love to do with you soon 

 

Then past the big Windsor lock.

We passed Dorney Lake where Mummy and Daddy have done lots of triathlons. They do a 'scootathlon' from age 4 there so we hope you can compete there soon too!

We passed Bray where there are several Michelin started restaurants, and a very good pub, The Hinds Head. We hope to take you there one day too. At Bray lock, we tried to work out how to open the sluices with the modern electric machinery. It used to be done by hand in the olden days.

Approaching Maidenhead we went under the famous Brunel bridge which was constructed in 1835. Daddy told you it was the last surviving wrought iron bridge, and the arches are the widest and flattest in the world spanning 39 metres. This railway is the Great Western Railway main line to Paddington in London which you will visit one day.  More here: http://www.ikbrunel.org.uk/maidenhead-bridge 

Then in Maidenhead we found the busy High Street and a cosy restaurant for our lunch, (delicious burgers from Oxfordshire beef farm). 

Before getting the train home for bath time!

TOTAL DISTANCE: 12.5 KM

Breastfeeding stops: 2

Nappy changes: 3

Crying episodes: 0 yah!

Feed stops:
No 15 Queen Street, Maidenhead - comfy banquettes next to the fire, no baby change but very good burgers!

GPS link: 
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/29037020

Stage 9: Staines to Windsor

Dear Bertie,

Today you were 22 weeks old and it is Christmas Eve. We have some special guests for our walk today - Daddy and French Grandma. Lucky you!

Daddy volunteered to carry you and I had the backpack full of water, like a donkey.
We headed back to Staines and crossed the bridge again.

And the Swan Inn again where we all had breakfast.

Then we started our walk and the sun was shining.We passed an old timber shipyard which smelled of oil.

Through a lovely big park with a statue of Queen Elizabeth near to the Magna Carta monument. 

Soon the path became very rural and we had fields either side of us; the lovely English countryside!



We went under a lovely bridge called, guess what? The Albert Bridge!

Mummy then cocked up the route and we tried to enter the river path in Windsor Park which is closed to the public; only the royals are allowed in! So we retraced our steps and went via Datchet and then through a big park where Daddy took you on to the rugby pitch.

In Windsor, we stopped at a lovely pub on the riverside and ate fish and chips with beer.

Then we walked through the town.

Up to Windsor Castle where the Queen lives and there is a big statue of Queen Victoria outside.

Then it was back home for bathtime!

TOTAL DISTANCE: 14.4 KM

Breastfeeding stops: 2

Nappy changes: 3

Crying episodes: 0 yah!

Feed stops:
Swan Inn, Staines - baby changing by the fireplace, comfy banquettes
The Boatman, Windsor - baby changing by the bar, comfy banquettes

GPS link: 
https://ridewithgps.com/routes/29008830

Stage 8: Shepperton to Staines

Dear Bertie,

Today you were 21 weeks old and we headed back to Shepperton on a rather chilly morning! To save time, you had your second breakfast in a quiet carriage on the train and then we headed back to the path via the post office to post our Christmas cards!

Just before joining the river again, we passed Shepperton Lake where Daddy and I have spent many weekends swimming around the pretty 750m lake loop, and I have also done some night swims there in the pitch black! We will bring you here when you are a bit older.

At the very small Shepperton Ferry 'port', we nipped into a lovely cafe for me to down a cup of coffee and then joined the river at Shepperton lock. 

The path followed a small road along the river with lovely big houses all decorated with Christmas things.

It had rained a lot the night before so the mud path was very slippery and I grabbed on to tree branches so we didn't fall! We crossed a meadow.

We went past a big old bell for Monkey Island.  You ring the bell if you want to visit.  I was tempted to ring it, but we carried on. 

We walked under the M3, a busy road which takes you all the way South West to Bournemouth where I went to University and there is a lovely beach.

The sun came out and so did some runners, and  we passed a huge decorated Christmas tree.

We approached Staines and passed a statue called, 'The Swan Man'.

On Daddy's recommendation, we crossed the busy bridge built in 1829.

And headed into the very cosy Swan Inn on the river and settled by a wood fire while we both ate, and office Christmas parties were going on.

Then it was back through Staines High Street to the train to head home for dinner!

TOTAL DISTANCE: 12.8 KM

Breastfeeding stops: 2

Nappy changes: 3

Crying episodes: 0 yah!

Feed stops:
Costa, Shepperton - baby changing at the back next to comfy armchairs
Swan Inn, Staines - baby changing by the fireplace, comfy banquettes

GPS Link:

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/29036970

Stage 7: BACKWARDS Shepperton to Hampton Court

Dear Bertie,

Today you were 19 weeks old and we had company on our walk with our lovely Italian friends Martina and Alessandra.  You guys were born just 3 days apart and you met in Chelsea Hospital when you were both very tiny. 

At Clapham Junction we found out our train was cancelled so we did something very controversial; we started our walk at the end and went backwards!

It was another sunny day and you and Alessandra got comfy in your carriers after a quick brekkie in Costa and we headed to the river at Shepperton.

We walked over a big bridge in Walton which was built very recently in 2013.  It is the first single span bridge heading up the Thames.

We walked past lots of houseboats where people live on the Thames all year around.  Apparently there are nearly 1000 families living on the water in London. 

We walked through the big Hurst Park where people were walking their dogs chasing sticks.

We soon arrived near Hampton Court and walked past the rowing club of our friend John's Dad, Molesley. 

You and Alessandra played on the sofas together with your Sophie toys, and ate everything you could, including each others hands. 

Then we had a nice walk around town before heading home in the train for bed time.

TOTAL DISTANCE: 11 KM

Breastfeeding stops: 3

Nappy changes: 4

Crying episodes: 0 wahoo!

GPS Link: 

https://ridewithgps.com/routes/29012299