A cloudy start, but we were pleased it wasn’t raining. 26 of us filled a small coach to Runnymede.
Here we boarded the Lady Margaret Anne boat owned by French Brothers. We had a delightful trip down the Thames looking at the lovely houses fronting on to the river and also the wildlife (ducks, swans, cygnets, geese, heron, grebe and yes, I’m sure I saw a kingfisher!)
Beryl Reid’s honey pot thatched cottage was pointed out to us. She lived here with up to 13 stray cats. Our guide also pointed out Albert Bridge and the Bells pub with the mystery of what happened to the bells destined from Oxford back in Henry 8th’s reign.
Also the bridge which wasn’t strong enough to support bus and passengers, so passenger s had to get off the bus, walk over the bridge and get back on, and Black Pott’s bridge named because of the black soot that gathered on people’s faces!
We had a ploughman’s lunch on board together with optional wine. Then after good views of Windsor Castle and Eton College chapel, back to Runnymede where the coach took us on to Savill Garden. Savill garden is a beautiful garden of35 acres of interconnecting gardens and woodland. We saw the azalea walks, the summer gardens which included magnificent herbaceous borders, the hidden gardens and the lake and the beautiful perfumed rose garden with its dramatic walkway rising over the centre.
We had a welcome cream tea in the restaurant before making our way back to the coach. Our lovely driver Ray got us back to Wimbledon in plenty of time for us to return home in time to see Andy Murray recover himself against Verdasco to gain a place in the semi-finals.
A really good day out. Thank you Gillian.
Annette
