Given that the previous two or three days had been at record breaking and unbearably hot temperatures, it was a welcome relief to gather for Amanda’s walk in very pleasant and cooler conditions. Including her running mates, she was leading 23 of us. We also welcomed Clive, an occasional veteran walker with us and local resident. We set off in the warm sunshine on a gentle downhill route weaving along a woodland path down the side of Cooper’s Hill to arrive on the Runnymede water-meadows. A group of inquisitive cows  were on our path but soon parted to let us through. Joining the Thames path we passed family groups enjoying this lovely stretch of the river. We paused briefly to read the sign about the St. Mary Magdalene Priory whose remains were clearly visible over the river in Ankerwycke Park. In fact in its original form nearly 900 years ago it would have extended almost down to the river. Our walk continued and we briefly stopped again for a drink and shade stop beside the National Trust shop. We passed the relatively recent woven willow sculptures then The Jurors sculpture comprising 12 bronze and embossed chairs depicting a jury in debate and symbolising the rule of law. A group photo was snapped before we crossed the international border into a small piece of United States of America where the J.F Kennedy memorial was positioned half way up the hill. Continuing up and returning to England we carried on before leaving the woodland scene and into salubrious streets with gated mansions. Our route entered Windsor Great Park and we passed the pink coloured estate lodges of Royal Lodge, the long time former home of our disgraced Andrew. Weaving through the delightfully shady woodland we passed a magnificent stag before heading towards our lunch stop at the Snow Hill Statue. We had enjoyed extensive views along this path including to Windsor Castle. We learned that the magnificent Grade 1 listed bronze statue on horse-back was of King George III. Clive informed us that King George was the last King of North America, which was an English colony before their independence. During our lunch break Fiona brought some birthday cake along for us and after some winkling we found out whose birthday it was so we wished them a Happy Birthday! The view down towards Windsor Castle was too good to let go before I snapped another group photo after which we walked down part of the Long Walk then turned left towards The Village. This collection of houses interspersed with landscaped ponds and farm buildings and a shop that proudly boasts its royal patronage by King George IV, is where many of the estate workers live. We met a very enthusiastic estate worker who wanted to point out many additional features including a story of Swampy who wanted to stop some tree work in the park a couple of years ago. He also pointed out a large area of newly planted oak trees that had been the recent conception of King Charles III. As we made our way along we became aware that we were about to be in the middle of a film set. It seems that an advert was being filmed at that spot to show an old and squeaky Range Rover being overtaken by a modern electric Range Rover. It seemed an odd concept but accepted it was the modern way and we were moved on as the scene was set.

It wasn’t long before we entered Saville Gardens with some of its colourful rhododendrons still in bloom. We arrived at the park cafe and shop. This was very posh and we were given 25 minutes in the cool to have afternoon tea or ice creams and to use their fine porcelain facilities. Ready to complete our walk, we briefly met Amanda’s sister then continued through pleasant woodland before arriving back at our cars. As the day wore on the temperature had been slowly rising but it was easily the best walking day of the week in that respect and with plenty of shady woodland paths too it had been very pleasant and full of historic interest. Thank you Amanda!