From Bristol to Stoke on Trent

The lake in Bathpoool Park, which is nice and close to the motel we stay at when we come to Stoke -  unfortunately since we were last here they have fenced a lot of the woodland off and Wooster decided to run around in the rather boggy parts that were left - never seen him look quite as filthy - we later found the car park at the other end of the park which was much less muddy.

This sandy beach at the end of the lake made Wooster feel at home

Nice Coot family

Little Moreton Hall

Saturday was quite fine, so we drove just a few miles from our Motel to wonderful Little Moreton Hall - over 500 hundred years old - sister Pat & I were taken there as children and I thought I'd like to see it again.

Across The Moat and into the courtyard - it's so much bigger than it looks from a distance

A close-up of the Long Gallery, from the outside

A huge amount of money has been spent on supporting the Long Gallery as it had become very unstable and dangerous - it still has huge humps and curves, but these are now supported by unseen steel beams

The view through one of the ancient windows in The Long Gallery down into The Courtyard

I noticed these signatures placed by the craftsmen who have replaced glass over the years

We arrive at The Swan at Streatley

After yet more rain as we drove down from Staffordshire, the sun was shining as we arrived, but as you can see the rain clouds were very menacing.

We had a short walk alongside the river, but it was very wet and muddy, with the added problem of lots of Geese and Ducks that were out of the fast moving water - too tempting for Wooster & Tilly.
This field saved us - it's right next to the hotel car park and has a footpath through it, so we took the dogs there each night and morning - they enjoyed it and kept clean !

A visit to Henley

We arranged to go to Henley with old family friend Janet, we were lucky and the sun was shining but we were not really prepared for the sight of the River Thames racing along like a swollen mountain river - we walked along the walkway over the water to get to the lock - the dogs were not very happy as there were gaps in the planks big enough to see the raging water. Tilly just got a bit shakey, but Wooster found spreading his legs wide was the best option - just like Charlie would have done !

We were amazed to see kayakers waiting to go out into the weir as the sluices were wide open and the water was wild !

They were all very expert and rolled very quickly when they went over

On the way back to the car we spotted this super Egyptian Goose - it flew off to find it's mate - wonder if it was the same pair we saw last time we were here

We took the dogs over the bridges to walk on the other side of the river - just as well we went when we did as the river rose to cover parts of the footpath before we left.

Just love this ultra modern sun lounge

Pleased they managed to move the furniture off the deck/landing stage

It's a lovely walk, but there was a muddy cattle field further on, so we turned around

One of several beautiful backwaters in this part of The Thames

The lovely old riverboat is used for weddings at The Swan

Another day, another weir to cross, this time at Benson, we walked over to the lock and checked out the footpath, but again it was deep mud, so back we came

We found these beautiful National Trust Woods up the hill behind Streatley, The dogs were happy and didn't get too muddy, so we were all happy !

The walk took us through the woods and then out onto this lovely hilltop - note the fields of Oil Seed Rape - they were everywhere !

Sadly the Red Kites were not very co-operative and although we saw quite a few, they didn't come close enough to get a good photo

At last some beautiful Bluebells in the woodland where we took the dogs

Back to Henley

With the footpaths in such a bad state - and us staying in a Hotel, where filthy dogs would be frowned on we decided to go back to Henley, since there are huge areas of grass alongside the river for dogs to run around on and it's a nice town to have a wander in.

Lots of the usual islands are completely submerged and with the river level so high even Henley looks sort of low !

The long wooden walk to the far side of the river - Wooster & Tilly were not too scared here as the water was not roaring underneath as it was the first part

Quite surprised to see Terns swooping over the river

I think he liked having his photo taken !

Great Crested Grebe came really close and we walked along the footpath

Swans swimming on the walkway as we made our way into Henley

One of the huge tripper boats that normally travel up & down the Thames - this one turned round - not sure if it would normally have carried on further, but I doubt it would have fitted under the bridge

Stunning statues of Redgrave & Pinsent outside the Rowing Museum in Henley, where we again went for a coffee.

Jim took the dogs out whilst I was packing - this is the view over the weir towards The Swan Hotel from Goring Lock. 

In the hotel gardens in this little backwater, this little Coot was sitting on her nest - I gather that it was the second nest as the first had been "drowned". We watched her mate each mealtime as he rushed around finding more nesting material and guarding his patch against intruders

The day before we left and the water had risen again and was over the footpath - as we drove out over the bridge it was even higher - but with no more rain, I assume the level is now dropping

The lovely flint Goring church

Jim's panorama view of The Swan and it's calm backwater

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