Cookham and the Estate (again).

Cookham is just across the river from here. So – around we went.

It’s a pretty little village that sits by The Thames.

It has a beautiful old church set a way back from the road …but with square tower quite visible   …and  a short yew walk.

Also some pretty stained glass, and a very good copy of Stanley Spencer’s “Last Supper” on one wall. (The original is in the gallery in the main street).

We strolled over the bridge …and the length of the main street, and generally just enjoyed ourselves.

Pottered on a few miles and walked along beside the canal to Boulters Lock.

The day was bright and fine, so we ventured out in the afternoon to have our last 2015 walk – in  Clivedon.

First,  to The Blenheim Pavilion.

We were debating whether or not to go back via Canning’s Oak …when a cheery man driving one of the Clivedon National Trust shuttle busses, stopped, got out, and proceeded to chat to us.

He was interested that I was taking  photos and wanted to see what camera I had. Told us his name is Rick  …introductions all around.

Then, with great enthusiasm, he pointed out a few beautiful spots in the near vicinity to take shots from.

Turns out, he is a retired professional photographer …and got talking with Arthur about Lenses… SLR’s … mirror view finders …and goodness knows what else!

Also told us he was retracing his “steps” looking for his glasses case. He’d left it somewhere …

“We saw it!” we said …”it’s on the bench in the Blenheim Pavilion”. (Bingo!!)

…”Are you eventually going back to The House?” I asked …”could we perhaps hitch a ride?” *politely*… *smiles*…

“And  …*hopefully! * …perhaps we could do a round trip with you  ..and you could stop at the good spots for me to take pictures…???”

Well – he DID!  

And we had a lovely time chatting to him …made a new friend …took some more photos ……and saved Arthur’s hip from total destruction!!!

Incidentally Andrew and Matt, - Canning’s Oak fell down in a storm in 2004 …so we have historic pictures of it while still standing!!

They have kept the bottom 4 metre (approx..) …and it’s now  horizontal, with the trunk and exposed roots nicely polished, (a bit like Hans Knorr’s Phoenix Tree) …and children can climb on it.

And we saw a child (with mother) doing just that, and plainly having a wonderful time!

After he dropped us off, we had a pot of tea before heading back to New Cottage.

Lovely!

And now it is evening …tomorrow we have a LONG journey back to Australia.

The journey is So Far ….and our leaving is now So Near…