I may have become slightly out of sequence in this next stage of the long walk, 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, convolvulus, and burdock clogging up the potholed paths.