129. Marlow

As you approach Marlow, you see Marlow Bridge which was designed by William Tierney Clark and this was completed in 1836.Apparently this bridge was built as a scale model of the bridge which was eventually to span the River Danube and link the two principalities of Buda and Pest in Hungary.

In the background past this white suspension bridge, the spire of All Saints Parish Church pops out its wonderful head.

When we walked around the streets of Marlow, we found that it still appeared to be old fashioned and quaint. The First Mate said “You see it’s spreading even here, foreign food. Look down this typical  high  street you could be anywhere in the World. Chinky grub,Thai grub, Indian fodder, Italian and please take note gentleman not a single English restaurant. Oh yes there is said The Cabin Boy, what about that fish and chip shop on the corner,”Yeh, said “The First mate” you mean the one run by a gang of Chinkies.!And said the Captain “Don’t forget the Old English Tea Shoppe” run by a couple of Turks.

What’s this place famous for asked Billy Boy? The Captain couldn’t really think of anything to say to the Cabin Boy except “Well all these old buildings and things must have an interesting history such as that church, that big old bridge and some of the boozers”.

“Oh you mean the one that we should have visited like Jerome and his mates did .Which one was that Phil, asked Billy.”The Crown “continued the First Mate.”It was the only proper boozer in the town and I think it shut down a few years ago after about 200 years of serving the community.”Sad “said Billy.”Must now be some up-market bistro eh”.”You must be joking, it’s more important that that Billy” “What then? “asked Billy.”If you want to know Billy, I’ll put you out of your misery.It’s a kitchen showroom” said the First Mate.

“I’ve   just thought on “said the Captain” Marlow isn’t important for its’ buildings but for some of the people who used to live here” For instance” interrupted the First Mate. “For a start there’s that Mary Shelley, who wrote that gothic, creepy book about Frankenstein and that Yankee poet and playwright T.S.Elliot.” “I say Captain,” said the Cabin Boy “Why do these famous authors always use initials instead of their proper names?” Before he could answer, the First Mate said, “I can answer that one. You see Billy , when people become famous, they like to become incognito so that people won’t recognise them,  and thus when they become famous and they are asked for their autographs, it quicker for them to write their signatures!”,”Cheers First Mate, for such a  clear explanation, but what the fuck are you talking about”,  the First Mate added even more confusion to the discussion  and replied  “Good question Billy, the answer is in the question”. As they were about to moor up in Marlow,  the Cabin Boy was still scratching his head and the Captain  quietly asked the same question .The First Mate replied” Just thought I’d confuse that clever little bugger and humour him a bit and lead him up the garden path for a bit of a laugh” .”Eureka “ cried the Cabin Boy” “, I’ve got it ,that hobbit guy John Ronald Raul Tolkien always signed his autograph as J.R.R Tolkien “Something like that Billy “ said  the First Mate still humouring him said “ The Queen signs herself as E.R, James Bond as 007  and Oscar Fingal O’Flahertie Wills Wilde as A.R.S.E Bandit !!