Our holiday June 2022

Not a good trip up to our overnight stop. Slow crawl past Stonehenge - which is normal I gather. 

A drive just off the main road to Woodhenge

Skylarks everywhere - Jim was thrilled as they are his favourite birds

The huge meadow was covered with these flowers

We then went back to our room at the Travelodge and got a few hours sleep before carrying on to our holiday accommodation at California Chalet and touring park near Wokingham

We were too early to check in so walked around the lake to the cafe which is all part of the Country Park

The Ponticum Rhododendrons were past their best but still pretty

Taking the family for a walk through the park

Lots of Egyptian Geese on the lake

Wooster looking at the blossom bobbing about

Our chalet hiding behind greenery

Was a lovely spot and everything was really well cared for

We walked further into the Country Park past this lovely area of these (possibly) Spotted Orchids - huge numbers of them

Really pretty

The walk continued along a board walk which Wooster wasn't at all keen on

Common Cotton  Grass in one area

Youngsters having a snooze

Maisie's first Squirrel - she was very excited

A visit to Henley which sadly didn't go according to plan

In order to walk along the Thames Path we had to walk along this boardwalk with water roaring underneath and rather large gaps - Wooster just couldn't do it, so we turned around and went back to have a lunch sitting by the river at a very old pub

River really wide at this point

The following day we drove to Streatley - where we have stayed several times - sadly we found that the footpath was closed (the part which gives a view of George Michael's old house) and we had to walk through the village to gain access further up

Always lots of these Banded Demoiselle's

Not busy at the lock

Assume they are shoring up the sides of the river as people love to moor-up here

We then carried on to Mapledurham Lock and walked along the river - lots of Greylag Geese watching us

Wooster was pleased to find a beach and have a drink and cooling paddle

Mapledurham House

Nice cooling shade with the dogs enjoying watching the bird life - by then end of the day my watch was showing 24,000 steps

The next day we drove a little further to Benson (close to RAF Benson) as we were meeting up with old friends of Jim's family who had moved to live fairly close by

Benson Waterfront where they have some superb lodges, but sadly don't take dogs. We had a lovely lunch chatting to Colin and Janet and we then went for tea at their new house. Maisie even had a run around in their garden as it was totally fenced

We got back to the chalet to find this lot on the grass - then we saw why they were there

The male swan was yet again causing trouble and they had been trying to get away from him

One Greylag Goose amongst all the Canada Geese

Having a go at a Coot this time - happened every evening

Spotted this and was amazed to find out that Grass Snakes are also called Water Snakes - this one was swimming along the edge of the lake - right past us

Having a go at an Egyptian Goose this time

and repeat !

Sunset 

Beautiful calm morning

Keeping them out of the water

Friday was the hottest day of all and Jim thought that a walk at Finchhampstead Ridges might be cooling - it wasn't !

There was a lovely pond

A nest on a Lilly-pad

Our neighbours were staying overnight and going to the races at Ascot each day - they had been leaving Pizza boxes out - but had been given a ticking off - so now it was just a couple of bags - the Squirrel was very interested as he'd enjoyed some Pizza the other day

Just couldn't get in and fell off along with the bag

Sunset again

The last day and we walked through the Orchids and along the boardwalk again - which Wooster managed without any trouble

Unfortunately we were on the approach flightpath to Heathrow that day - not as frequent as it was in the past

Last view of the Swan family on our last circular walk around the lake.  We had a good trip home, sharing the driving - but still found it very tiring. The new car has now done 630 miles