Jean Ward (friend of winner), Nick Bailey (Beale Park Director) and Diana Norman (winner)

RTS member Diana Norman was the lucky winner of our special Beale Park competition and she describes her memorable weekend at The Swan at Streatley.

Often, anchored behind my office desk before I retired, I used to dream of sitting on a beautiful hotel terrace with a tranquil riparian view and a drink in my hand. It all came true in June!

The competition prize offered in the summer issue of Thames Guardian was enjoyed by myself and friend Jean, who travelled down from Birmingham to share a weekend at the stunningly located Swan at Streatley, with tickets to the Beale Park Boat Show too. It lived up to the dream! Our welcome to the large, elegant room with water's edge balcony included champagne and fresh fruit, and the setting all felt a bit like Noel Coward's Private Lives.  A superb dinner followed, with drinks by the Thames on a soft, warm evening.

But this was the calm before the storm! Next day at the Boat Show it blew and bucketed down - relentlessly. Photos taken by our hosts Jane Chapman and Donna Hatchett pictured two very bedraggled ladies, flanked by Nick Bailey, Beale Park Director, and Gillie Jackson, Boat Show Organiser. We were glad of the entertainments, which included Irish dancers, a steel band and jazz musicians, and liked the colour-coding system which led us to varied parts of the site. The Newfoundland dogs didn't seem to mind the weather, and they couldn't wait for their turn to plunge in and rescue the 'drowning' boaters! Despite the rain, this was definitely a great riverside show with a chance to get close-up to many different types of boat, including an unusual assembly of electric canoes. I will certainly be visiting again next year!

Lots of rain-sodden but smiling visitors took turns to join Dunkirk's Devon Belle for a trip on the Thames and the many catering outlets helped everyone warm up. It was a huge bonus to be able to return to the Swan and a hot bath, a warm and comfortable bar, a couple of whiskies and another gourmet dinner.  Thank you to Sarah Frost at the Swan who arranged our stay so well!

Written by Diana Norman, published by Thames Guardian Magazine – Autumn 2011 issue