Day 27: Castle Eaton to Ashton Keynes

Our Thames Path book, which is ~10 years out of date, shows a very boring path along the main road out of Castle Eaton. Fortunately, the path has now been re-routed and follows the exact course of the river all the way from Castle Eaton to Cricklade. This does make the walk quite a bit longer, but the stretch is very beautiful, the river shallow and reedy, and well worth the extra distance. So today the walk was 10 miles: 5 miles from Castle Eaton to Cricklade, and 5 miles from Cricklade to Ashton Keynes.

The weather was changeable, with bright sun and heavy showers. As you can see from the picture below, the harvests have now been gathered, leaving stubble on the fields. A small dove minding its own business sitting in the stubble was very surprised to be approached by a medium-sized boy...!


A typical view of the narrow Thames close to Cricklade.

And a much needed lunch break in Stacey's Cafe, Cricklade.

Then a mile or so upstream of Cricklade, a chance to walk ACROSS the River Thames!

Before a few more miles and time for a rest

A couple of miles before Ashton Keynes we were met by John and made it to the village with enough energy left for a play on the fancy park equipment!

Day 26: Lechlade to Castle Eaton

A bright, sunny afternoon and 7 miles planned. From Lechlade and heading upstream, the Thames Path follows the river for barely half a mile....

... past the junction with the now defunct Thames and Severn Canal, which marks the upper limit of the navigable Thames (or at least the limit for motor-powered boats). An old 'round house' stands at the point.

The Thames Path then diverts away from the river unfortunately....


... and onto the worst part of the entire 200 mile walk. Here we have to follow a busy main road, with no real footpath, for over a mile. Not much fun, especially as the sun was now beating down.



The path then detours through a winding series of country lanes and bridleways, where we saw deer grazing. (And we found some hay bales for a lie down).


A few more more miles of lanes, paths and bridleways, with the occasional glimpse of a shallow, reedy Thames, and onto Castle Eaton.

Day 25: Tadpole Bridge to Lechlade

We knew this would be a marathon - we just didn't know quite how much of a marathon. The plan was 11 miles, to get as far as Lechlade. As you will see, it turned out to be a bit more than that! The (birthday) morning started off warm and sunny, with a tarmac path to walk on, past a beautiful part of the river...

... to quickly reach Rushey Lock, one the the last traditional 'paddle-and-rhymer' locks, with possibly the most idylic lock-keeper's cottage on the Thames.

Four miles into the walk and we reached Radcot Lock - and this is where the trouble began. Blocking our way was a herd of suckler cows and their calves plus one very agressive bull, complete with horns. Not just in the distance, but blocking the gate and stopping us from entering the field. We tried a few times, only for this to attract a second, extra large angry bull, complete with nose ring! We then met an out-of-breath walker who had been evicted from the field by one of the bulls, and we decided a detour was needed.....

.... two miles later, we were back on the Thames Path!

Then another 4 miles or so until a cream tea stop at Kelmscot manor (and meeting members of the Veteran Cycle Club)

Then another 4 miles of bends and meanders (and pill boxes!).....

... until Lechlade and the statue of Old Father Thames.

Day 24: Rose Revived to Tadpole Bridge

From Newbridge (Rose Revived) to Tadpole Bridge - 6 or 7 miles and perfect for a sunny August morning. Well, at least the weather forecast said it would be a sunny morning.....








Here we are at the "Ose Re-ived" and raring to go.

Looking back at the 'Newbridge', the newest bridge on the Thames - or at least it was the newest bridge when it was built (in the 13th century).

A beautiful stretch of river: flat-calm, green and fringed with willows.

... but then the rain came down.

And a 'fairly wet' team arrived at Tadpole Bridge.

Day 23: Bablock Hythe to Rose Revived

We did this stretch back in July, but we have been a bit slow posting it on the web. Just a fairly small stretch - but the weather did not help!!



Setting off from Bablock Hythe.

"I think I'll sneak up on these geese....."

... and then the rain came down, in buckets. We quickly found out that not all 'waterproofs' are waterproof, and that somebody's walking boots had holes big enough to poke their toes through.

We were soaked!