Farewell Reading

I've lived round the Reading area for about 5 or so years now. It wasn't really planned, just worked out that way. Anyhow, for a number of reasons, its time to move inside the comforting embrace of the M25.

Famous citizens of Reading include Kate Winslet and Cabin Boy Mat, there are probably more, but they're the only ones I remember.

So last saturday morning, we waved goodbye to my neighbour Dave and headed out of the marina.



It was also time for a last look at the twin (gas) towers, will I see the likes of their rusty magnificence again?



It was a long trip down the Thames over two days, I think we did about 28 miles on the first day, passing through the center of the known universe Henley. This is IRIS going under one of the arches of Henley bridge.



Speaking of bridges, there was this impressive one in Marlow, sort of like a mini-Clifton bridge.



This is another I K Brunel wonder (did he never relax?), apparently its the widest single span brick bridge ever, still being used by loads of trains, most of them only slightly newer than the bridge itself.


Windsor was interesting the next day, loads of tourists wandering around. They may have taken the UK as a theme park concept too far with the ferris wheel though.



Finally we ended up at Penton Hook lock where we left IRIS for the week.



I've just returned, getting up early tomorrow to do the final leg on the Thames (including the tidal part to Brentford), then it'll be onto the Grand Union canal.