Shiplake

Been stopped at Sonning for a few days. Appalling Internet coverage there, hence lack of recent updates. Sorry. Sumo seems well. Let him off for a run around near the college rugby fields today, and just managed to grab him before he rolled in a massive pile of horsepoo. presumably put there for the college's roses, because there aren't any horses around here. It was much cooler today, with a couple of showers. Lit our first fire for a while, which he immediately hogged..

Moored at Shiplake college. A lovely quiet and peaceful spot. On our way down, we spotted Uri Geller outside his house. He saw us (a boat) coming, and comically tried to disguise himself by hiding behind a tree. Unfortunately, it was a very small and thin tree, which made him look ridiculously shifty. His two bodyguards also stuck out like a sore thumb, with nowhere for them to hide. Sheena says she feels a bit sorry for him, because every trip boat that goes by announces (via megaphone) "GUESS WHO LIVES HERE?". "HERE'S A CLUE....HE USED TO BEND SPOONS IN THE 1970's". "IT'S URI GELLER!!!". Actually, I pity him. All that money doesn't seem to have brought him happiness. Yes, he has a stupidly large mansion on the Thames, a helicopter landing pad, a meditation hut, and is currently building a brand new gym extension/wing to make it look even more like something out of Dallas. But if you can't go out, it's still a form of prison, however gilded the cage. He definitely needs to chill out with some boaters, and not be scared of them. Listen to the river, Uri!

Six new Cygnets at Sonning. White mute swans are not my favourite river creatures. They're agressive bullies, who will hiss at anything that moves. But the little ones riding on momma's back, were impossibly cute.