Amoi on Pedals: Cayman and UK (29 April to 16 May 2022), Day 10

Reading Abbey

Bath Road, not far from Ibis Styles London Heathrow Airport Hotel @ 9.50 am

Still on Bath Road

The White Horse pub on Bath Road, just 3 km away from Ibis Styles London Heathrow Airport Hotel

Next to The White Horse pub, we spotted our first thatched roof cottage @ https://maps.app.goo.gl/vQqTjw2qA778bX246

This bridge was originally built by King William IV in 1834, thus the inscription WR IV 1834. As it traverse Longford River, it is interesting to note that the river below, is actually a canal dug up by the orders of King Charles I in 1638 to improve the flow of water in the Hampton Court fountains some 20 km away! The source of the water comes from River Colne.

This bridge, which is part of Bath Road, connects London to Bath and was once constantly used by horses, carts and carriages. Coachmen had to negotiate a narrow bridge before William IV built a cast iron bridge in its place.

Ye Olde George in Colnbrook @ https://maps.app.goo.gl/LkijxfLNyMhvESAFA

Viaduct at Langley Roundabout @ https://maps.app.goo.gl/KRg6sPU4Lvmwqf7x6

On the viaduct

Upton Court Park

Windsor Castle

Windsor Castle viewed from Jubilee Bridge

On Michael's Bridge overlooking Jubilee River

Michael's Bridge

Jubilee River

Eton College grounds

Thames Valley Athletics Centre on Eton College grounds

I didn't know dogs had to work!

If boys can't cross, girls can!

Eton College

Thai's King Prajadhipok attended Eton in 1906

The name plaques here could be displaying name of donors or visitors....

...as HRH Sultan Ahmad Shah never attended Eton but instead his son, Tengku Fahad went to Eton in 2011

Foreground of Eton College

Eton College Library

In view, next to the library are Dunford House, Hawtrey House and Carter House, all boarding houses for Eton students

Eton College Chapel and the cemetery grounds

Union flags decorating High St in Windsor ahead of the Platinum Jubilee of Queen Elizabeth II

View of Thames River from Windsor Eton Bridge

Windsor Eton Bridge @ https://maps.app.goo.gl/mMLvm7sexkfFSbYD6

Cote Brasserie

Thames Street

View of Thames River from Windsor Eton Bridge

Windsor Castle was originally built by William the Conqueror in the 11th century after his invasion of England. It was part of a series of castles built based on Norman's motte and bailey designs, forming a defensive ring around London

Windsor Castle remains a royal residence and is the longest occupied palace in Europe

Throngs of visitors on a Sunday

Castle Hill overlooking High St with Queen Victoria statue

Opposing View

With Queen Victoria

I think I have just been knighted!

Souvenir shops aplenty

Leaving Windsor Castle @11.20 am

Eton College students taking their class photo

Dam built across Jubilee River @ https://maps.app.goo.gl/QWtAGiqqqLxzMbEbA

Another view of the dam

A family of cycling enthusiasts! Note the roof and rear racks!

Ducks and ducklings enjoying bread

Over here, the bike path goes under the Maidenhead Bypass

Mostly gravel tracks

Leaving the Jubilee River Way, we were passing by some farms

Nice horses

Viaduct overlooking Maidenhead Bypass

Old Mill Lane

Bray Road

Ferry Road

Calling May on Mother's Day!

This almost feels like a scene from Jurassic Park @ The Aviary @ https://maps.app.goo.gl/hoRKttveTyHTXZpJA

Kimber's Ln overlooking A404 (M)

Kimber's Ln

Canola fields @ https://maps.app.goo.gl/hwjseuGCmnG5Wxrk7

Farm road between Woolley Green and Littlewick Green

Wheat farms

Canola flowers in full bloom. The seeds will be made into rapeseed oil

Knowl Hill Bridelway Circuit @ https://maps.app.goo.gl/rCJQsjThPyYn9hvD8

Approaching Sonning on Thames Street @ https://maps.app.goo.gl/3VqkUnjvqQJrP7EJ9

Checking out our plans when we reach Reading

Sonning Bridge

Sonning Bridge completed in bricks in 1775 to replace its predecessor, a wooden bridge from 1530. Since the design was meant for horses, carts and carriages, it is too narrow for modern day traffic hence the bridge comes with traffic lights on both ends to control traffic.

View of a barge from the bridge

George Clooney has a house here in Sonning!

Sonning Lock viewed from Thames Path

A boat crossing the lock

We were taking the walking path on Google Maps and this section is dotted green hence the dirt and grass tracks!

Tyre resistance is great on the grass but cannot resist a smile for the camera

Ducks....

....flowers!

River Kennet @ https://maps.app.goo.gl/bVJXBEizqXFDBr6z5

River Kennet

New Town area overlooking River Kennet

Another view from the pedestrian bridge

Watergates on River Kennet @ https://maps.app.goo.gl/aKmKFDcK3aeW5vHM6

Another view of the watergates

Gas Works Bridge built in 1880. Gasworks were industrial complexes that manufactured gas by thermally decomposing fossil fuels and storing it in gasholders. They were common in the 19th and 20th centuries. The construction of the bridge and gasworks uncovered many archaeological finds, including medieval and Roman artifacts, mostly displayed in Reading Museum

Reading Abbey was founded by King Henry I in 1121 and upon his death in Normandy in 1135, he was brought back and buried in the abbey. The exact locations of his body can no longer be determined as the abbey was later closed by King Henry VIII with the Dissolution of the Monasteries and fell into ruins.

Interesting trivia

At its height, Reading Abbey was frequently visited by kings and dignitaries, namely Henry II and Henry III and hosted Parliament meeting in 1453.

Choir and Altar

Interesting trivia

This was a huge church

Chapter House where senior monks met every day to discuss abbey business. Every meeting began with reading a chapter from the Bible hence the name Chapter House

Interesting trivia

A nice place to sit and enjoy the abbey

St James Catholic Church

Memorial to Henry I

Take photos for memory!

...and more memory!

Abbey's Gateway

Interesting trivia

Reading Crown Court next to Abbey Gateway

A memorial for local hero, Fred Potts who received the Victoria Cross for his deed in the Gallipoli war. Fred was known as the hero with the shovel. On August 1915, after holding up for more than 48 hours in the Turkish trenches, Fred pulled his comrade Arthur Andrews to safety using the shovel as a sledge. The whole distance of 550m was constantly under fire.

St Laurence's Church

Another view of St Laurence's Church

At 4.50 pm, we arrived too late for Reading Museum. They closes at 4 pm on weekdays!

Shopping for our dinner and breakfast at Sainsbury's Broad Street as our hotel, Sure Hotel by Best Western Reading on Christchurch Road was far from the city and restaurants.

This is really good and authentic

Not bad but too rich for Asian tastebuds

Vibrant Broadstreet

Highbridge Wharf. The bridge is on London St

University of Reading's Museum of English Rural Life

University of Reading, London Road

Sure Hotel by Best Western. This entrance is via Kendrick Road and the sight of a desolate building got us worried for a moment! Thankfully, this building is not in use during low season and the main reception is on Christchurch Road!