Feeling pretty exhausted after what turned out to be a 22 mile run! I knew it was going to be close to that so it wasn’t surprising, but the last couple of miles seemed relentless!
Overall, it was a good run, though, much easier than yesterday’s, despite the longer length. For one, it was cooler, with a light breeze and much of the journey was on shaded paths with trees both sides, or in woodland. It made a huge difference.
The first part out of Cookham was a diversion inland for about a mile. I had thought I could use an alternative path, closer to the river, but this turned out to be the ground of a private club. I wasn’t too fussed, as the route led me through cool woodland and I was soon back on the banks of the river. The next couple of miles toward Maidenhead were straight forward, first through green fields and woodland, and then alongside a main road. As I entered Maidenhead itself, I had to cross over the Bridge to the other side, where there was busy traffic and I was pleased to finally make it over and continue my journey. Up to this point the run felt steady and not too difficult, but I found passers by very unfriendly- not a word in return to any ‘good morning’ I proffered. How rude!
The path after the crossing at Maidenhead Bridge, was on quite a hard road, slightly away from the river, behind private gardens, but soon wove its way though trees for quite a while, until I reached the section at around 6 miles, where Dorney Lake runs parallel to the river, although you wouldn’t know it. Dorney lake, for those that don’t know, is a purpose built rowing lake that is privately owned and financed by Eton College, so even if I had wanted to, I wouldn’t have been able to gain access. It must be over a mile long, and I managed to catch a glimpse through some trees after mile 7.
I passed a small open chapel on my left whch seemed intriguig and which I now know to be the Chapel of st Mary Magdalene at Boveney, which is a redundant Chapel, but is distinctive for its wooden spire. At Boveney lock I asked elderly man on his bike if you could pass through by the lock and he asked me what i was doing. I told him and he said he thought I looked like a police woman with all my gadgets- no wonder people have been looking at me strangely.
Following that, the path continued through more trees and then open pastures which were directly opposite Windsor racecourse on the other side. I crossed more open meadows and some woodland, before reaching Eton, where I had to cross through the town and bridge back to the other side into Windsor territory. The view of Windsor castle ahead of me, was spectacular, as I approached and it was also the half way point!
I had thought I could follow an alternative route closer to the river about a mile further on , which would save crossing over again. However, after a short diversion due to some unannounced construction works, I realised that the alternative route was the grounds of Windsor Castle, so a no go area for the likes of me. The official Thames path, was not unpleasant and wound its way through a leafy route where you could see across to the other side. There was a short diversion before reaching Albert Bridge (presumably named after the Royal), where I had to cross back again to the other side. I was still feeling okay, though starting to flag a little, as I approached mile 15.
It must have been tiredness that made me a little less careful in picking up my feet and I fell over. Luckily, it was only superficial and nothing was damaged- (a slightly sore knee and the clip holding my mobile phone that was live streaming to Facebook falling out). I dusted myself off and reattached my phone before continuing. I knew it wasn’t too long before I would reach Staines bridge, where I was due to cross over again, but it seemed interminable.
Before that, I passed through Runnymede, home of the Magna Carta. The town is quite sprawling and stretches some distance, initially through a quite green approach, where there were people parked up to enjoy the riverside, and then through the Pleasure Ground, a boatyard, riverside cottages and the grand-looking Runnymede Hotel and Spa, where I initially thught I might stay, had I done this pre-Covid. It is right next to Runnymede bridge, which is also the M25 London Orbital, so it is perhaps just as well. Instead, I ran underneath this double bridge, as I tried to get closer to the bridge I wanted to cross at Staines. What was less than a mile seemed much longer.
This last stretch was the home straight to my stopping point in Laleham. By this point I had really started to reach the end of the road literally. I was tired and couldn’t see an end to it. I spotted what I thought was my partner in the distance, and as I approached he disappeared. I started to think I was seeing a mirage. However, a voice from behind called me and confirmed it was indeed him, come to encourage me in my final steps. It was appreciated but did little make the last few strides any easier, as what i thought was about half a mile, turned into over a mile. Finally, I arrived at the stopping point at South Laleham, where I will resume my Journey to Richmond tomorrow. In the meantime, I am sleeping at the Camping and Caravan Club opposite.
