Rainy weekend

Last weekend we decided to experience something quintessentially English - a Henley regatta. Not THE Royal Henley Regatta, as I'm told that the crowds are manic and it's hard to even get near the river. (There are 'royal enclosures' along the river - which you'll never get into as a lowly pleb - where men have to keep their jackets on regardless of how hot it is. There has only once been an announcement that jackets could come off - when it was about 38 degrees.) No, we went for the comparatively subdued women's regatta, which was nonetheless an international and well-attended event.

Here we are walking along the towpath to the race site, 2 km down the river from the town. You can see the racing lanes extending into the distance. They went as far as the eye could see. On the right are some of the pavillions. On the left are some rowers and umpire boats turning back at the end of a race.

Just like Glastonbury! Okay, maybe not. But most people had thought to wear wellies. Had we? Of course not. Hence Jeff's very fashionable rolled-up jeans, exposing the white socks and boots look that will be all the rage next season.

Because it's England and they do everything in a delightfully civilised fashion, there was an outdoor bar with loads of seating on a lovely green lawn, and Pimm's on tap (with the requisite cucumber, apple and orange slices).

Oh dear, a little bit of gentle English rain. Nothing to worry about, we've got our 'brollies!

Oh DEAR.

After the deluge, and after getting our feet thoroughly drenched (though we no longer go anywhere without rain pants and coats so the rest of us stayed dry), we walked back to town. In the photo you can see one of the grandstands for the Royal Regatta, and the lovely (and costing millions of pounds) boathouses along the Thames. Henley is clearly an affluent town, if the number of antique shops is anything to go by.

And, to close, some classic Henley attire.