'Summer in the Alps' - Days 32 and 33 - Timperley to Wokingham

Hello from Wokingham, from where we have enjoyed a day out with Jill and James, joined briefly by Ian and Julia, all ex UMIST friends of mine.

Yesterday's 'Day 32' drive south was a complete contrast to our 'Day 0' journey on 1 July. The burning heat of that day was replaced by steady rain that resulted in the cancellation of the Moto GP at Silverstone. That resulted in minor traffic delays from disappointed spectators returning home, but in the main it was an easy 204 mile journey, via lunch with Sue's parents in Solihull.

Today we headed off in Sue's new car to Christmas Common, gateway to the Reading Alps (aka The Chilterns). Our 11.5 km stroll to the Fox & Hounds passed through pleasant woodland with fields of cows and red kites, plus a mewing buzzard, to the small village of Northend for a cake and pie stop on a bench. That refuelled us for the ascent to the pub, where we were greeted by Ian and Julia, who readers may recall we met up with back in July.

Thanks for the drinks, Ian. Wasps were drowning and the lavender was almost overpowering...

Whilst James pottered back to the car, the rest of us resumed our Alpine stravaig by way of the Watlington Hill loop. Lunch was taken on a bench with a view to the north west to Didcot Power Station and across the sub-alpine landscape. Very pleasant, on a warm summer's day.

After parting with Ian and Julia, who were on their way home from a folk festival, the four of us adjourned to Henley for a walk with the hordes along the River Thames as far as Marsh Lock, before returning to Henley's flower laden streets for al fresco ice creams and tea after our 3 km bash. A wooden four bedroom house on a small island was up for sale for £900,000.

Then it was back to chez J & J for another relaxing evening with good food and wine.

What a nice way to start a trip.

Today's pictures should be self explanatory.