CLICK ON ANY IMAGE IN A GROUP TO ACCESS ITS ENLARGED GALLERY
Today I scanned another batch of negatives from the long walk of July 2003. I have managed to become slightly out of sequence, but who cares? I never had much idea of where I was, anyway.
The first few were images from the early stages of the row, as Sam, with James’s guidance, left Henley and enjoyed the width of the River Thames, as he approached Sandford Lock.
Once through, James took the oars,
and we soon passed a young lady in a punt considering modelling for Ophelia.
Cattle and horses, with their foal, drank from the river,
while a red-legged partridge took her chicks for an airing. Can you spot two in the second picture?
Fast forward to Napton where, with far less oar-space, the lads were making their way through the moored narrowboats.
It was quite likely The King’s Head where we enjoyed a meal and a drink with friends we had found. I was not to know it at the time, but, Don in the front of the image, had given Sam a bottle of rum with instructions not to open it until he had won the Atlantic race. Fortunately he was victorious, and, as a thank you for my support, was to start on it with me.
Just beyond that location is the 250 metres long Newbold Tunnel. As we didn’t have a horse, a couple with a narrowboat offered to tow Pacific Pete through it. Here are the preparations taking place.
This underside of a bridge may or may not be part of the tunnel, but it would be similar.
Goodness knows how I reached the other side, but the standard of towpath was all downhill from here. However, I did, and was able to photograph grasses, burdock, and convolvulus clogging up the potholed paths.
This evening we dined on Jackie’s splendid turkey fillets jalfrezi, perfectly aromatic and colourful pilau rice, and small vegetable samosas. The culinary Queen drank more of the Coquimbo and I finished the Shiraz.
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I can see why you want all this photos scanned in for safe keeping and organizing.
Many thanks, GP
Wonderful pictures! Thanks for sharing. Wow dinner sounds so good!
Very many thanks, Lynn. Dinner was good
Ho, ho, ho and a bottle of rum! and a partridge not in a pear tree (only saw one partridge-ling, though – is the other behind her?) and of all people, Ophelia! Did you try to cheer her up?
Many thanks, Cynthia. The second is in the grass behind her. Ophelia looked beyond cheering up š
Love the underside of that bridge. Just beautiful.
Many thanks, Cathi
I wonder if you are quite glad to only have to sort the shots into order now rather than do the perilous sounding keeping up trot of yesteryear! And I suppose it’s an amazing record for Sam to have now he is a more settled husband and father …..
Many thanks, Pauline. Quite so
Great pics. Yes, I think I could see both chicks.
Thanks very much, Peggy. Well spotted
It’s time consuming to organize and scan old photographs, but your children will be appreciative, down the road. Oh yes, I see both little chicks!
Many thanks, Jill. Well spotted
She would certainly qualify with that hair and I am sure the PRB would approve. š
Thanks a lot, Mary.
Wonderful photos–quite a journey! I laughed at the Ophelia remark. Yes, quite apt. And I saw the two baby birds. š
Thanks very much Merril. Well spotted
Yep, spotted both the chicks. Sweet little things. Its hard to imagine rowing across the Atlantic ocean in a boat that small. Lordy me. Terrifying.
Thanks very much, Susanne. Quite so
I’m enjoying this series with all the boats and canal scenes,keep it up š
I’m not very fond of rum, my dear ol’ dad considered it the only cure for a common cold and I recall he’d make me a concoction of rum, lemon juice, sugar and very hot water and make me drink it all down, I wasn’t even a teenager. Vilest concoction ever had,
My dad was very fond of lemons and would eat them like sweet oranges, much to the regret of the Salvation Army Band that would appear some Sundays and start playing in the street, for some reason his sucking a lemon put them off their music and they’d move on promptly. Can’t imagine why.
Much to the delight of my d.o.d!
Haha! My granddad used to do that too when he was a boy!
Your dad was a sadist too was he?? Just joking, back in the 1940 things were a lot different from what they are now.
Me, too
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Many thanks, Brian. A few more to come. I still suck lemons
not when the Salvo’s are about to strike up I trust š
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Great pics Derrick…loved the Ophelia reference ! š
Many thanks, Suzanne
Yep – I see the two chicks too. This is such a fantastic record of your long walk.
Many thanks, Clare.
That was certainly a very refreshing adventure. I am glad the bottle of Rum met its designated mission. You have closed the post with an interesting shot!
Many thanks, Uma
You do take great pictures Derrick!!! š <3
Very many thanks, Natalie
My pleasure Derrickā£ļøš
Those are beautiful photos from 2003! I love the little partridge, and can see her two chicks.
Good thing you can go back a few years and share these photos.
Thanks very much, Arlene. All the way back to the early 1960s
A long time since Iāve been to Henley, though we did manage Streatley-on-Thames a couple of years ago. It must great for you to take these trips down memory lane.
It certainly is, Helen. Many thanks.
Wonderful collection Derrick.
Many thanks, Rupali
What an adventure! And it was just great you could share it with your son.
It was. Many thanks, Laurie
Lovely Derrick
Thanks very much, Lonely
That looks like it was a wonderful peaceful day. I’m missing that sunshine about now too. Beautiful. š
Many thanks, Diana
Love those boats in the narrow waterway, very cool and serene background with the overhanging greenery of the trees.
Thanks very much, Ian
Another great selection of shots – I bet they bring back a lot of memories.
They certainly do, Quercus. A memorable trip. Many thanks