Bridge over troubled water

For those of you who know the Simon & Garfunkel song, you will remember that the end of each verse follows the pattern - Like a bridge over troubled water I will lay me down. Like a bridge over troubled water I will lay me down.

In our case, the bridge in question is the Tadpole Bridge.

Why am I 'laying me down'? Well ...

After setting off this morning along some lovely stretches of the river

and after having gone under one or two lovely bridges and around one or two or three or ... bends

we arrived at Tadpole bridge.

Moored at Tadpole Bridge

Now, at Tadpole Bridge is The Trout Inn. The Trout Inn is a favourite for many food critics and it boasts a lovely venue right on the water's edge. The menu looked wonderful, so, of course, we had to try it out just to see if the critics had got it right.

The trout and something risotto with parmesan shavings was a delight and the Captain's twice baked goat's cheese soufflé was heavenly. This was followed by rump of lamb with rösti and spinach, roast garlic and sweetbreads. Then came the Captain's cheeseboard with Cerney Ash, a light goats cheese rolled in ash, Oxford Blue, a creamy blue cheese and Hereford Hop, a creamy Cheddar, rolled in toasted hops. I had to make do with a Tia Maria Crème Brulee. The Captain then decided on a glass of port whilst I indulged in a cappuccino coffee. Delicious - one of the best meals we have ever had.

The Trout Inn

After that the Captain told me to find the nearest place to moor up for the afternoon so that, in the words of Simon & Garfunkel, 'I will lay me down' for an afternoon zzz-zzz-zzz.

We love The Thames!