The Thames in London?

No, the freshwater Thames, which extends for 147 miles from Lechlade to Gloucestershire to Teddington, where it becomes tidal. It flows through Oxford (www.ox.ac.uk/visitors.html), Henley (www.henley-on-thames.org), Reading (www.readingtourism.org.uk), Windsor (www.windsor.gov.uk) and Hampton Court (www.hrp.org.uk/hcp/indexhcp.html) on the way.

So why the need for another site?

Well, you might want to emulate Mole and Ratty and float along the river with a picnic basket. Or find out where you can fish without a permit. Or walk the length of the Thames Path (now completely open) with the help of the printable and very detailed GeoMaps on this site.

Or play Pooh Sticks?

The 18th annual Pooh Sticks Championships will be held on September 30 in Little Wittenham. Reading Festivalgoers looking for a break, meanwhile, can find out where to hire a boat next weekend. The Environment Agency is keen for you to row or hire a silent, non- polluting Cruise Electric boat, which can be plugged in and recharged at various points along the river.

What about refreshments?

Not so impressive. Perhaps the Agency staff work too hard, or perhaps they're trying to be even handed. Try This is London (www.thisislondon.co.uk/dynamic/food/pubs.html) and search for pubs in Outer London, which now seems to extend as far as Gloucestershire.