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.
![view from campervan chertsey aug 2020](https://photographingwildflowers.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/view-from-campervan-chertsey-aug-2020-600x450.jpg)
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.
![Dumsey meadow sign Chertsey Surrey](https://photographingwildflowers.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Dumsey-meadow-sign-Chertsey-Surrey-600x450.jpg)
We spotted Common reed, Phragmites australis, and Purple-loosestrife, Lythrum salicaria on the riverbank.
![purple loosestrife reeds chertsey aug 2020](https://photographingwildflowers.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/puple-loosestrife-reeds-chertsey-aug-2020-600x450.jpg)
![purple loosestrife flower lythrum salicaria chertsey aug 2020](https://photographingwildflowers.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/purple-loosestrife-flower-lythrum-salicaria-chertsey-aug-2020-600x450.jpg)
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.
![Great crested grebe two chicks chertsey aug 2020](https://photographingwildflowers.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/Great-crested-grebe-two-chicks-chertsey-aug-2020-e1611516987926-600x295.jpg)
![egyptian geese chertsey aug 2020](https://photographingwildflowers.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/egyprian-geese-chertsey-aug-2020-e1611517048437-600x293.jpg)
Walking along the river to Laleham
Following the path in the other direction, we found some more blooms of interest and a handy key.
![riverbank sign chertsey](https://photographingwildflowers.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/riverbank-sign-chertsey-600x450.jpg)
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.
![eupatorium flowers chertsey aug 2020](https://photographingwildflowers.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/eupatorium-flowers-chertsey-aug-2020-600x450.jpg)
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.
![orange balsam impatiens capensis chertsey aug 2020](https://photographingwildflowers.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/orange-balsam-impatiens-capensis-chertsey-aug-2020-600x450.jpg)
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.