Sonning Stroll By Dave Mundy & Ed Doughty

On the 4th March 2007, Ed and myself decided it was time to get our walking boots on again and see what we could find. But where to go? Luckily Rod 'Sparky' Bird gave us a recommendation, "You boys want to try down by the river at Sonning" he advised us in his dulcet Welsh tones. This was a good enough recommendation for us as there are very few people who have walked more miles around this area than Sparky. Plus, along the river must be flat, so no more mountains to climb for me!

So off we set to Sonning to have a stroll around. The weather wasn't particularly good, but nothing ventured nothing gained as they say. We got there early so managed to park in the few public spaces opposite the French Horn. Now, there is something to put you in a good mood before the start, Free Parking, always guaranteed to put a spring in your step.

There were very few other people about, but the birds were awake and moving. I had been trying to get a picture of a Grebe, that I liked, for a little while. So, spent some time laid on the river bank, pointing my camera in their general direction. Why is it that just as you have got yourself into position and ready, the little devils decide to dive under water and pop up 500 yards downstream, forcing you to up sticks and hike a bit more? If that wasn't annoying enough, I was laying down on the muddy bank framing up one of the Grebes, when Mr. Joe Public and dog wandered up and started asking me what it was I was trying to take a photo of? I bit my lip and didn't tell him that if his dog hadn't been licking my ear, as well as barking at the Grebe, I might have got a photo to show him!

As the morning passed by, and we got nearer the gas holders, more people appeared. Mostly dog walkers, plus a few boating people messing about on the river. With the gas holders always in your view, and the delights of a Tesco Car Park close by the river, I would have to say that perhaps this is not the most picturesque part of the Thames, but none the less there are photographic opportunities aplenty.

The weather was a bit grey and overcast, which made the river look a bit cold and murky. Talking of coldness, it was a bit on the chilly side, which made the flask of coffee taste great. All we needed was a bacon sandwich to go with it, I must ask Ed, as, he could probably fit a little stove and frying pan in that Tardis of a rucksack he carries.

It was a nice touch that the benches dotted around all have a little engraved plaque on them, with a little verse on to cheer you up. Seems that these were sponsored by Oracle, so well done to them I say. You really did need cheering up when you noticed the sheer amount of rubbish left around. It really is very sad that people cannot enjoy the countryside, and leave it as they found it.

As we walked back towards the car the heavens opened and it bucketed down. So there we were trudging along trying to keep our cameras dry under our coats, when we virtually stumbled over a sheltering Heron, which is another bird I have been trying to get a photo of. Needless to say, by the time I got my camera out of my coat it had long gone. You may be wondering if we had any little mishaps along the way as usual. Just a couple, I managed to drop my remote release cable into the river, but dragged it out ok. Back at the car, I was just prising one of my walking boots off with my other foot, when I pulled a muscle in my leg, which made me limp around painfully for the rest of the day. Much to Ed's amusement.

I suggested to Ed that as it was his turn to buy breakfast, the French Horn looked particularly appetizing to me. Strangely enough, he didn't share this view, and pointed out that we didn't stand much chance of getting served there, if we limped in, soaking wet and muddy. Fair point I suppose! But I thought it was worth a try.

-- DaveMundy - 25 Jun 2007

Dave was doing his level best to photograph all the birds on the river he could find, Grebes, Swans and even a Robin but there was plenty of flora around too. However this isn't the most picturesque section of the River Thames, what with the gas holders, Office Blocks and an abundance of litter, so to get any reasonable shots of the wildlife you needed to get in close.

Once again Dave came up top trumps with his flask of coffee to refresh us and keep our spirts up, I failed miserably on the bacon sandwich front and could only muster up a couple of cereal bars for us to munch on. It certainly wasn't up to the breakfast Dave was hoping for at the French Horn but it kept us going thgrough the rain on the way back to the car.

So despite Dave pulling a muscle (smirk, laugh, giggle!) we had a good early morning stroll, got some fresh-ish riverside air and took a few reasonable shots. It would be good to return on a day with just a little bit more sunshine, well any sunshine really!

Ed - 17 Jul 2007