Gwen's Walking Buddies - Thames Path, Marlow to Windsor

Hi Everyone
 
As some of you know this "Couch Potato" , with a lot of encouragement and inspiration from The Aunt Jenny and The Uncle Brian, actually conquered the highest peak in the Brecon Beacons, called Pen-y-Fan , a couple of weekends ago!
 
And then Brenda and Nadya, two of my weight loss surgery buddies, took Dennis and I for a "small" walk (11km/7miles), the other evening in Windsor Great Park .
 
On both occasions I felt such a sense of achievement, and enjoyed the time out with my family and friends so much, that I want to do it again!
 
The next walk I would like to do is along the Thames Path from Marlow to Windsor and the reason for my e-mail is to invite you all to join me.
 
PLAN OF ACTION (weather permitting):
 
Proposed date:  Saturday - 30 August 2008
 
Meeting point: Marlow Bridge - there are train stations along the way in Bourne End, Cookham, Furze Platt, Maidenhead and Taplow, which allows you (us) to join/abandon the walk at any point. 
 
Travel Logistics:
 
Scenario 1:  I would suggest that small groups of people arrange to meet up at each other's houses and then to take one car to the Windsor & Eton Riverside Station, where we leave the cars for the day - £4.00 for the carpark on a Saturday.  We then book a couple of people carriers, the evening before, through Burnham Cars (they take up to 6 people), to pick us up at 8:15am from the Station and which will cost plus minus £28.00 (£5.00 each) for the journey to Marlow Bridge (30 min drive in good traffic).  For this I suggest we meet at 8am at the Riverside Station. 
 
Scenario 2:  The alternative is to leave the cars at the Windsor & Eton Riverside Station and to catch a train to Marlow.  We'll need to meet there at 7:45am to walk over to the Windsor & Eton Central Station and from there we will catch a train to Slough Station.  At Slough we'll change and catch a train to Maidenhead, at Maidenhead we'll change again and catch a train to Marlow.  The train will leave at 8am from Windsor & Eton Central Station and we'll get to Marlow at 8:58am and the journey will cost £5.80 each.
 
FAO:  Cous Richard, Cous Steve, Tina & Shaun - Please note that in each scenario I left enough time to permit for a quick coffee in Marlow (Costa / Starbucks Lovers ahoy !!!) before we leave for the "unbeaten" track (i.e. where there will NOT be another Costa/Starbucks available until we reach Windsor ;-0 )  
 
Start time:  9:30am (txt me if you're running late)
 
Distance :  14.5 miles / 25 km (with options along the way to take shortcuts or catch a cab/train back to the cars if the weather gets too bad or your legs won't go any further ;-) )  or if you prefer you can join us along the way, at one of the "pitstops" I have mentioned below, and do part of the walk with us. 
 
There will be children and adults and even dogs - a great fun day out for everyone!!!
 
Coffee/Tea/Lunch Breaks:  I can definitely recommend The Ferry , Cookham (see the scanned extract from The Thames Path on page 105, approximately where the no 65 is printed) as a possible pitstop.  If we want to hang out with the aristocracy then we can always go and have "high tea" at Cliveden House's Orangery (page 106, near 66).  Further on is Boulter's Lock (67 on page 107) and then there is Dorney Court (69 on page 109).  For lunch I would like to recommend The Walled Garden (which forms part of Dorney Court), they have a sweet little restaurant which is very affordable and lovely to sit outside on a sunny day.  Oakley Court (page 109 at no 70) is another stunning setting for a refreshment break!  And then we're almost there - Eton and Windsor have many lovely places (Starbucks and Costas also!) where we can have a pint/coffee and reflect on our lovely walk.... and hopefully plan the next one ;-) 
 
So get your walking boots/shoes on and let's do it!
 
Hugs and kisses
 
Gwendy
Mobile number: 07941-524 222 
 
XXX
 
PS:  I am hoping to arrange regular walks for friends and family, and perhaps weekends away to go walking, so even if you can't join in this one please let me know if you would be interested in future walks?
 
PPS:  Please invite anyone else that you might think will enjoy something like this!  Ma - I was thinking of Jenny and Pete but don't have their e-mail addresses.