Tales Of The Riverbank

'He thought his happiness was complete when, as he meandered aimlessly along, suddenly he stood by the edge of a full-fed river. Never in his life had he seen a river before—this sleek, sinuous, full-bodied animal, chasing and chuckling, gripping things with a gurgle and leaving them with a laugh, to fling itself on fresh playmates that shook themselves free, and were caught and held again. All was a-shake and a-shiver—glints and gleams and sparkles, rustle and swirl, chatter and bubble.'
The Wind In The Willows, by Kenneth Grahame

Felt in need of an outing, fresh air and a walk today, so took the bus over to Bourne End and walked along by the river into Cookham. This is the setting that inspired Kenneth Grahame's book, still a favourite of mine.

It's a very prosperous area, so there are quite a few 'Toad Hall' type residences fronting on to the river. Toad would have liked the idea of a narrow boat, in the same way that he likes the idea of a gypsy caravan in the book. But what would really have stirred his soul is the motor launch moored by the house. 'Poop-poop'!