There is nothing—absolutely nothing—half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats.
- davegush
- Jun 20
- 4 min read
Updated: Nov 4
PAC Thames Skiff Rowing and Thames Path Waddle 15th– 20th June 2025
Four Aquanauts, three walkers and a dog met early, in bright sunshine, a mile north of Moulsford at the Cholsey slipway on the North Bank of the Thames. Tom the Boatman gave his standard in depth briefing with lots of skiff dos and don'ts; Tony in particular paid rapt attention. Soon after we loaded our supplies (largely a cool box of drinks and multiple packets of pork scratchings) and began rowing. The Walkers pursued Reggie the dog, who had set off like a bat out of hell.
We passed through Cleeve Lock, and Goring Lock before reaching Pangbourne, disappointingly not having sufficient time to tarry at the Working Men’s Club dartboard. Whitchurch Lock saw some refreshment, including an outstanding sandwich lunch prepared by Sian, washed down with a very palatable blended shiraz/cabernet sauvignon. The walkers had nearly caught up with Reggie by this stage. Le Jour de Serrures continued with Mapledurham Lock, followed by a relatively bland 4.5 miles including an impromptu stop next to a spiky tree for rehydration, during which we had a fly by from a kingfisher. We passed quickly through an unattractive part of Reading (which the walkers sensibly avoided) and Caversham Lock, and eventually transited Sonning Lock to moor at Sonning Bridge and enter our accommodation, The Great House.
Day 2: Following a splendid evening’s social discourse and a good night’s rest we set off for Marlow (gifted by William the Conqueror to his queen, Matilda) and enjoyed an excellent lunch at the Angel in Henley, which also allowed restocking of the skiff’s supply container. We then resumed our journey but somehow managed to get caught up in a school regatta race – we came a creditable 3rd behind 2 sixth form eights. Walkers and rowers reunited at the superb Flower Pot Inn at Aston, before the final push to Marlow, encountering numerous herons, cormorants, kites, geese, moorhens, coots, great crested grebes and an egret. Reggie, clearly fatigued by his extraordinary exertions the day before, decided to hitch a lift in the skiff. On reaching Marlow, the rowers were invited aboard a motor cruiser we had shared a lock with earlier, for some further refreshment. We overnighted at the very well appointed Chequers hotel.
Day 3: A relatively prompt start saw the skiff pass through Cookham (site of the largest stone axe ever found in Britain), Maidenhead (once home to the Spice Girls) and Boulter’s Lock where we enjoyed a sumptuous lunch, meeting up with the walking party, following which Reggie departed for Molesey to seek out new adventures, accompanied by Sian. An afternoon of brisk rowing was interrupted by an unopposed beach landing where the two elements linked up for a spontaneous drinks break. Thereafter, further brisk exertion and walking saw both parties reach Windsor in good time, to stay in the delightful Crown and Cushion. We enjoyed a delightful and slightly soporific riverside dinner, so much so, that a rather torpid Charlie B attempted to pay the bill after it had already been settled.
Day 4: Charlie G’s 35th birthday and what a day! A gentle 7 mile row included a stop at the Bells of Ouzeley pub where a fairly languid barman eventually produced some good quality ale, and we watched the river life go by. We eventually set off again passing through Runnymede, the site of the sealing of Magne Carta in 1215, chosen because it was a muddy bog which prevented a battle erupting between King John and the Barons. It is also home to the Ankerwycke Yew, around 2,500 years old, where Henry VIII allegedly enjoyed his first liaisons with Anne Boleyn. A further stop at the Runnymede hotel allowed time for more contemplation and carbloading. We ended up at the marvellous Swan Inn at Staines, in glorious afternoon sunshine, and enjoyed a fulsome birthday dinner.
Day 5: The last day began with an enormous cooked breakfast. The 6 and a bit miles to Walton Bridge flew by, and we were met by the ever reliable Tom the Boatman, who very sportingly accepted that the fractured oar blade was one of those things that happen from time to time. We loaded the skiff on his trailer, and went our separate ways. An outstanding smorgasbord of exercise, good food and drinks, fantastic weather and excellent company. More next year.
