Saw this old boat, but I think we'll stick to walking....
After a few meadows and meanders, perhaps 1.5 miles, we reached Pinkhill Lock. The guidebooks describe two alternative paths here, either crossing over the Lock to the 'right bank' (looking upstream) and then taking a large detour away from the river to reach Bablock Hythe; or staying on the 'left bank' (looking upstream) and following a nice riverside path until opposite the Ferryman Pub at Bablock Hythe, then taking the chain ferry across. So, first of all we phoned the Ferryman, only to be told that the ferry has not run for two years - though they hoped to get it back in action during summer 2011. So, if we were intending to go further upstream than Bablock Hythe, that would be a real problem - but since that was our end point, we decided to stick to the more scenic 'left bank' (and leave a car at the end!)
It was indeed a very scenic walk, skirting the egde of Farmoor Reservoir and three nature reserves. At this point we reached a landmark - the first point on the Thames where we could throw a stone across to the other bank!!!
Stones ahoy!
Notice board about things to look out for - attention apostrophe police!
And finally to Bablock Hythe.
