Down by the river again

When we lived in Berkshire the Loddon and Thames Rivers were close by and sometimes it was pleasanter walking along by the river bank, through the meadows and playing fields from village to village and into town than using the main roads especially when I was a child. Sitting by the lock is relaxing and fascinating as the various boats wait to go in and out and navigate the waters there. The tea garden on the island between the river channels and the weir where the lock keeper lives is an added attraction before a walk back into the village.

                                          The River Thames from its source to London

                                      (images taken from the information board in Sonning).

Here are some more images of Sonning Lock and village.  Next time I'll be writing about another beautiful area on the west side of Reading in Berkshire - (Pangbourne, Goring and Streatley).

The lock keeper taking a short rest in between manning the lock gates.

Sonning village held the annual scarecrow trail event earlier in the year and this is one of the remaining models on the island.

We saw wild crab apples as we strolled back along the river bank to the village.

We went along the path from the river passed St. Andrew's Church.

The local primary school was having an end of term concert inside so 

it was only possible to take a quick look inside.

We sat and had a drink at The Bull Inn which is next to the church.  I always enjoy seeing the wisteria.

Nearby Reading town was well-known for the three Bs - brick making, bulbs and biscuits.  In fact, Sutton's Seed Company trial grounds (the flower bulb aspect) used to be near where we lived when I was a child. and The Huntley and Palmer biscuit factory was famous all over the world.  Both the Sutton and Palmer families have been benefactors of public facilities in the area so it's not surprising to see that one of the Palmer family gifted a water pump to the village.

    

A scarecrow trail festival

In most villages there are weekends in the diary that involve the whole community.  In Sonning, the weekend biennial festival featuring a scarecrow trail with many well-loved characters spread around the village has become a popular event.  Families are invited to see how many they can spot as they follow the trail and then vote for their favourite.  Many village gardens are open to the public and the money raised goes to local good causes.

Here are some photos taken two years ago together with some of the church and churchyard that I took on our recent visit.  

The beautifully-built, new church meeting room incorporates an older building.
  The footpath next to it leads down to the river.  

St. Andrew's Church dates back to Saxon times with later additions.

I hope you enjoyed an impression in photos of this endearing aspect of life in this Berkshire village.

A lakeside walk

Cottages at Sonning Eye

On the opposite, north bank to Sonning Village is an islet in the Thames known as Sonning Eye. They're linked by an historic brick-arched bridge.  In fact, half-way across the bridge marks the border between the counties of Oxfordshire and Berkshire.  The islet is a conservation area with some protected cottages, barns and an 18th century watermill which has been converted into a small dinner theatre.

Sonning Eye is surrounded by a nature reserve and the river backwaters join several lakes (Caversham Lakes) that have been formed by reclaiming unused gravel pits.  In particular, there's a training rowing lake named the Redgrave-Pincent Rowing Lake after the Olympian oarsmen, (Sir) Steve Redgrave and (Sir) Matthew Pincent who, of course, are associated with the area where this competitive water sport is strong with annual Regattas taking place in Sonning and Henley.  There's also a Marina, a sailing lake and a stretch used for water skiing.

It's also a popular place for birdwatching and walking and during last weekend we wandered around

one of the lakes.  We were pleased to find that the banks and paths were accessible as they have been flooded in recent months due to the continual rain.

a Wild Wood - we didn't see Ratty, Mole or Badger!

Sonning Lock and Village

  "The floral tastes of the lock-keeper generally make Sonning Lock very bright and gay"

                                                                                           Charles Dickens (1882)

Watering the plants on a hot Summer's day.

The lock-keeper's garden on the island.

There's a tea garden on the island
with views of the weir and backwater.
(This is where we saw the black swan).

"Is there a spot more lovely than the rest,

by art improved, by nature truly blest?

A noble river at its base running

it is a little village known as Sonning

James Sadler (1845-1885) Sonning lock-keeper

    

A short walk along the south bank towpath is the pretty village of Sonning. Walking up a narrow, leafy path, passing the flint-walled St. Andrew's Church and going through the churchyard visitors and locals can find another popular resting place at the Bull Inn. 

You can read more about the history of the lock here

River rambling

The Thames is the longest river in England and it's possible to walk the entire length by way of the Thames Path.

The stretch of the river I know best is where it flows through the villages and towns of Oxfordshire and Berkshire between Oxford and Windsor.

                                  Sonning.....

                                  "the most fairy-like little nook in the whole of the river."

                                  Jerome K. Jerome in the book Three Men in a Boat

A boat waiting to go into the lock (going upstream).

The lock keeper begins to open the sluice gates from the island.
The weir is on the other side of the island.

The boat goes into the pound lock.

That was a beautiful boat, but there were plenty more smaller ones.  The lock keeper was being kept busy and we enjoyed watching the boating world go by from the river bank and the island. Sonning has always been a popular spot and the towpath was just as busy on this sunny weekend. 

Tranquil waters for boaters and ramblers near Sonning Lock.