Last August we visited the river Thames

We camped by the riverbank and went on nature walks

We took our campervan to a campsite by the river in Chertsey in Surrey and found a spot that was great for watching groups of canoers taking on the weir for sport. It’s a lovely area and there are peaceful footpaths going in both directions along the river, which is popular with fishermen.

Flowers of Dumsey Meadow

Dumsey Meadow is a Site of Special Scientific Interest in Surrey and we arrived shortly after its annual haircut, but there were plenty of flowers to spot along the riverbank.

We spotted Common reed, Phragmites australis, and Purple-loosestrife, Lythrum salicaria on the riverbank.

Ducks and geese on the river

As well as the usual mallard ducks we also spotted a great crested grebe with two chicks and some Egyptian geese.

Walking along the river to Laleham

Following the path in the other direction, we found some more blooms of interest and a handy key.

Possible Eupatorium

I think this white or very pale pink flower is Hemp agrimony, Eupatorium cannabinum although the leaves aren’t as trifoliate as I was expecting.

Orange balsam

I was interested to spot Orange balsam, Impatiens capensis, as I’m familiar with its relative the pink Himalayan balsam, but had never seen the orange one before. Apparently it’s another garden escape.

Where we walked

Other river walks

I love a river walk and have also visited the river Stour in Canterbury Kent and the Lesser Teise near Marden Kent, and locally the Cuckmere near Seaford Sussex.