High points

We passed the station house for a miniature railway in the grounds of a property in Shiplake as we were forced to take an inland detour. What a wonderful sight. The river between Shiplake and Sonning is less inhabited and the entrance into Sonning was beautiful. However, the water meadows just before Reading are very exposed, particularly when battered by driving rain.

Rain 2: Return of the precipitation

Just waiting for our lift home and it's raining again, bet you're glad you came Amelia!

It was a lovely walk but very wet in places especially just before Sonning and just before the end when it was raining/hailing and very cold. Still, I suppose we have called it a challenge and we know that conditions in Grand Cess are very difficult for the people to face every day; although, I think their problems aren't normally to do with being cold.

Do you recognise this?

This place looks familiar, here we are at Reading Bridge at the end of our 9 mile walk.

Sonning and London or Bristol ..... I thought we were going to Reading

A slightly confusing signpost behind us as there was no mention of our intended destination. Nearly the end of this leg and the sun had made an appearance, hence my sunglasses, but as you can see we haven't dried off yet.

Weather worsens (spoke too soon)

Think I spoke too soon then. Here we are in the hail, and it's cold.

Shiplake Lock

It was meant to be sleeting and hailing today but we have got this far with only a little rain. You can tell we've got company we've given the photographer's job to Amelia.

Look, our "willing" companion

Amelia is coming with us and we're a bit worried that we won't be able to keep up with her. Just 6 more of our children to "persuade" to come along with us now...

And they're off!

Well, we've found our way to the river now and off we go.

Henley

Here we are in Henley, about to set off on the second leg of our walk. This time we are walking 9 miles from Henley to Reading.