Locks at Goring

This afternoon we took a trip out to Goring in Oxfordshire. A colleague lives out there and told us of how pretty the village is. Last night I used Google Earth to fly around the area. Its an amazing piece of software. I could even plan the car park I was going to use that would get to the path than runs along the Thames.

Goring is about 45 minutes drive from Windsor approximately due west. Getting there is easy; M4 to A4 then to the A340. Actually, Goring is on one side of the Thames and Streatley on the other. The bridge linking the two was built in 1837.

We arrived about 3pm and headed straight down to the Thames. Its a wonderful walk that takes you past some magnificent homes. Some are huge - with private boat sheds on the water. At the start the path is narrow and flanked by thickets and nettles (not too pleasant). It soon widens out with plenty of opportunities to wave to the pleasure boats cruising the river.

We all walked for about 30 minutes until we arrived at the first of the locks for the day (the other being back at Goring). James was fascinated in the lock operation - but truth be told was probably most interested in the doors at either end! We didn't have to wait long before two boats arrived and entered the lock. We watched the rear doors close and the lock flood. We happened to be standing next to a main holding on to his boat. He offered a tether to James (it was attached to a bollard!). He just loved it. He proudly "held" the boat until the flooding stopped. Then the front doors opened and the boats moved out.

As we made our way back down the Thames to Goring we crossed just in front of another lock. Just discussing some tea - we saw a tent on the grass beside the lock. It was a ladies group serving fresh cakes and tea. 50p for the tea and 1GBP for cake. What a bargain! We decided to take a little tour of the village first. Its a lovely place with flint and brick homes and churches. I don't know the age of the area but I'm sure some of the places looked circa 17th Century.

Making our way back to the river we enjoyed cake and two cups of tea. Of course, once done, we had to watch the lock in operation again. James loved it. He told me that he'd have to ask Papa and Granny to take him back to the locks again. Something I'm sure will happen!

See the photos here.