Day 11—Hambleton to Cookham

It was another long day of walking, almost 14 miles.

We got an early start from the very pleasant inn in the village of Hambleton where we spent the night.

There was a bakery in the small village—the gods were smiling on us today!—and we picked up snacks for the walk.

This is the abbey in the center of Hambleton. 

There is a militaristic strain in Christianity, from the Crusades to Pope Julius II leading a Papal army into battle. But churches as fortresses? What are the turrets for? Pouring hot oil down onto the heads of attacking infidels?

We walked from Hambleton back to the river and crossed at the Hambleton Lock.

We were back in the countryside. But the flowers are different. The white flowers are daisies and the purple are a variety of orchid. 

And thankfully our sneezing and stuffiness has disappeared. In fact, we are both feeling good overall. The first few days were tough. But we’re now in good walking shape.

Today’s walk took us through a park with a herd of white deer. Here’s one of them.

We walked through several villages today because several bridges over the Thames are out and the walk is diverted away from the river. The diversions started with long walks on roads. 

At the end of the diversion, we walked over a bridge into the town of Marlow.

And then back over the river on a footpath on a railroad bridge at Bourne End.

It was a short walk from the railroad bridge to our hotel in Cookham. It was a long walk today, and we’re both pretty tired. But tomorrow is short, and we end up in Windsor, where we’re looking forward to seeing Windsor Castle. But no rushing!