Promenade littéraire au fil de la Tamise...

From Medmenham to sweet Hambledon Lock the river is full of peaceful beauty, but, after it passes Greenlands, the rather uninteresting-looking river residence of my newsagent […] until well the other side of Henley, it is somewhat bare and dull. (Jerome K. Jerome, Three Men in a Boat)

It was just before the Henley week, and [the steam-launchess] were going up in large numbers; some by themselves, some towing house-boats. I do hate steam-launches; I suppose every rowing man does. (Jerome K. Jerome, Three Men in a Boat)

Henley was getting ready for the regatta, and was full of bustle. We met a goodish number of men we knew about the town, and in their pleasant company the time slipped by somewhat quickly; so that it was nearly eleven o'clock before we set off on our four-mile walk home — as we had learned to call our little craft by this time. (Jerome K. Jerome, Three Men in a Boat)

In midmost of the stream, embraced in the weir's shimmering arm-spread, a small island lay anchored, fringed close with willow and silver birch and alder. Reserved, shy, but full of significance, it hid whatever it might hold behind a veil, keeping it till the hour should come, and, with the hour, those who were called and chosen. (Kenneth Grahame, The Wind in the Willows)

There is no more thrilling sensation I know of than sailing. It comes as near to flying as man has got yet — except in dreams. The wings of the rushing wind seem to be bearing you onward, you know not where. You are no longer the slow, plodding, puny thing of clay, creeping tortuously upon the ground; you are a part of Nature! Your heart is throbbing against hers. Her glorious arms are round you, raising you up against her heart! Your spirit is at one with hers; your limbs grow light! The voices of the air are singing to you. The earth seems far away and little; and the clouds so close above your head, are brothers, and you stretch your arms to them. (Jerome K. Jerome, Three Men in a Boat)