Day 9—Streatley to Reading

We were up and out the door of our hotel early this morning.

 

There is rain in the forecast, and we want to finish up our walk before the rain hits.

There is a large group of women facing Anne and standing behind me while I take her picture who are talking about the weather. I heard one of them say to her friend, referring to Anne, that poor woman—I hear there’s rain today. Yes, said her friend, such a lovely woman, she should be sitting at a palazzo somewhere sunny and warm instead of trooping through the mud in this beastly weather. She’s obviously lost control of her relationship. Her friend clucked in agreement and in sympathy for Anne.

It rained earlier than expected. We walked up into the woods beside the river in the rain, the first climb on the trip. 

We walked over the toll bridge at Whitchurch, one of only two remaining toll bridges on the Thames. No tolls for walkers though.

We saw houses by the river. This one in Mapledurham, about half way through today’s walk, is said to be the model for Toad Hall in The Wind In the Willows.  The owner’s great-grandfather is said to be the model for Mr. Toad. He must have been tall and very handsome.

We came upon this house just outside Reading.

We walked about 13 miles today, including the half mile at the end of our trip through downtown Reading to reach our hotel. We’re both pretty tired. Maybe it was the rain. Maybe it was the climbing. Good weather is forecast for tomorrow, and the walk is flat. So we are hoping for the best.