If you’re extremely lucky, you may occasionally glimpse a kingfisher on our stretch of the river – and if so, treasure the moment because these brilliantly-coloured birds are becoming increasingly-rare as more of their habitats are destroyed.
It seems astonishing now, but there was a time, 100 or so years ago, when Staines was considered a riverside resort to rank alongside the likes of Marlow and Henley.
I’m beginning to think that the water gods have got it in for me at the moment because every time I plan to take my boat out on the river, the fates conspire to stop me.
