That's Monday if, like me, you're losing track.
Things didn't start well with it raining as I arrived back in Reading. I found my way to the path. There's a detour due to Reading Bridge itself being closed (causing traffic chaos) but I managed and continued with the plodding. The first treat of the day was two black swans. Wow! I've only ever seen them in Oz before. I didn't think we had them here. Weirdly enough, the previous day I had been pondering what might happen if some were released. And here was the answer. A local, later in the day, told me that they are included in the Swan Upping count although I'm not sure they belong to The Queen as they're not mute swans. The great crested grebe swimming around behind them didn't get a look in this time.
The scenery was becoming more beautiful given that it was no longer flat all the time. There's something rather special seeing the sweep of the river with a backdrop of trees going up a hill. The houses were carrying on the chocolate box picture competition (am I showing my age?). Shiplake was gorgeous and yet again I couldn't help but wonder who the people are who live in these places. None more so than when I found a miniature railway, complete with a scale replica of St Moritz station! The other person taking pictures knew nothing about it either. Turns out the place is called Bolney Court but other information is hard to find.
Wandering on, I nipped into the River and Rowing Museum to use their facilities. It looks modern and bright. There were several groups of fairly small schoolchildren being entertained and educated. It might have beem related to a Wind in the Willows exhibition. It's always great to see museums and galleries making an effort to involve young people.
Henley-on-Thames is known for its annual regatta and there are boats everywhere. Over the bridge, they were getting ready for this year's shindig in the first week of July. The course is a one mile straight stretch of the river - must be the only bit! All very impressive with Temple Island at the far end. However, far more exciting to me was the appearance of numerous red kites swooping and soaring and, occasionally, landing. I did my best to take some photographs. I wouldn't normally use the word awesome but I think it'll do the job this time.
So, having seen the kites, a 9" gauge railway and many beautiful houses, what next? The answer was - a private deer park! Now I can go and see deer whenever I like, living not far from Richmond Park, but it was the idea of having your own private deer park that boggled my mind. Keeps the grass cut, I suppose. There was also the picturesque and ancient All Saints Church at Bisham nestling on the other bank as I approached Marlow.
The lady from my b&b for the night had contacted me during the day offering to collect me as the weather hadn't been so good. As I entered Higginson Park, pausing to take out my phone, this swan swept towards me on the water and gave me the 'look'. Honestly, at the beginning of this journey, the geese wouldn't say boo to a human, now the geese are hissing at me and the swans are asking for snacks!
The b&b was very lovely and dinner was courtesy of Waitrose.
What a lovely day, lovely dayyyyyyyyy.
Tuesday 19 May 2015
Monday 18 May 2015
Day 7 Streatley to Reading
This was a short day of only 11 miles and then I would be popping home for the night. However, there some lovely sights along the way.
There was the glass box overhanging the river, a real room with a view complete with chairs. More beautiful houses, new varieties of waterfowl, a house with a small statue of an elephant in the front garden. All life is here. It also seemed to me that money is more apparent, I think that lots of the properties I'm seeing are not cheap.
Both yesterday and today were getting busier with people on the path, some not even having a wet dog or small child as an excusefor being out and about. But then it was a lovely weekend. I chatted to a lady with a labradoodle (wet). I spotted wingtips over the water ahead of me, some geese were flying in formation as they do. When they got to me what struck me was that there were four Canada geese but also one what I shall call a greylag, almost as if he'd asked if he could join the flight. Nice to see some inter-species training cooperation!
Somebody had put a hillside into the walk for today. I was most put out. This is called the Thames Path so why does it have undulations? I wasn't the only one complaining; I met some cyclists and told them about the fallen tree ahead.
Anyway, I got back home just after 3 pm. It was nice to be back in my house and do some washing. I checked out my new plants in the garden to see that they hadn't died. Two cats were alive as was the
Miniwomble. There was even post for me and none of it from the other great river.
There was the glass box overhanging the river, a real room with a view complete with chairs. More beautiful houses, new varieties of waterfowl, a house with a small statue of an elephant in the front garden. All life is here. It also seemed to me that money is more apparent, I think that lots of the properties I'm seeing are not cheap.
Both yesterday and today were getting busier with people on the path, some not even having a wet dog or small child as an excusefor being out and about. But then it was a lovely weekend. I chatted to a lady with a labradoodle (wet). I spotted wingtips over the water ahead of me, some geese were flying in formation as they do. When they got to me what struck me was that there were four Canada geese but also one what I shall call a greylag, almost as if he'd asked if he could join the flight. Nice to see some inter-species training cooperation!
Somebody had put a hillside into the walk for today. I was most put out. This is called the Thames Path so why does it have undulations? I wasn't the only one complaining; I met some cyclists and told them about the fallen tree ahead.
Anyway, I got back home just after 3 pm. It was nice to be back in my house and do some washing. I checked out my new plants in the garden to see that they hadn't died. Two cats were alive as was the
Miniwomble. There was even post for me and none of it from the other great river.
Day 6 Abingdon to Streatley
Yes, I've fallen behind. Blame it on the wifi failure at Streatley YHA on Saturday. They suggested the pub wifi, and I did use that to tweet some photos but, I didn't think they'd want me stuck by the fireplace for hours while I thought up a witty blog post. (There's always a first time)
Abingdon to Streatley was set to be 20 miles or so. I made sure of the 'or so' by losing my position on the map near the end and failing to read the book sufficiently closely. Mind you, the local I asked for help told me I was on a different place on the map to where we were and that I was on the wrong side of the river. I dd my best to be very nice and grateful despite part of me being totally knackered and irritable.
The weather was lovely - the sun was out and the wind subsided. I spotted a red kite and it dropped down to take a drink af the edge of the river. I caught a very rough photo of it but who cares, they are magical to see and watch.
My feet have held up remarkably well, liberal lashings of vaseline all over my toes seems to have helped. Late on Friday (Day 5) I had a strange soreness developing on my right achilles tendon. I bought some ibuprofen gel and added that to my daily preparations but it wasn't good on Saturday morning. After a couple of hours I decided that I would take an early pit stop at the next lock and combine lunch with some emergency first aid (if that doesn't sound odd). I applied gel, a wound dressing to stop any rubbing, put on extra socks to lessen the movement of my foot in the shoe. I also had lunch which I'm proud to say was a large helping of malt loaf washed down with a bogoff diet pepsi! You can take only so much water and sandwiches. It was yummy and I finished off both the malt loaf and pepsi later in the day.
The lock I stopped at was actually unmanned which mean there were minimal facilities so I had to prop myself up against a noticeboard for my faffing about. It meant I got to chat to people though. One lady who wanted to check where we were (Days Lock) was the support crew for her husband who was canoeing from Lechlade to Southend to raise money for Sea Sanctuary, Falmouth. They worked with people who have mental health difficulties and take them out on boats, with counsellors to help address their problems. At first, I thought she said Seal Sanctuary. Oops. another couple I said hello to, and the man commented on my mascot, I bumped into later when they needed my map reading skills..... It's ok, I pointed them in the right direction.
Anyway, there was lots of scenery, and the YHA was up a very steep drive and I arrived 20 minutes before reception opened. Ever the prepared traveller, I changed my walking shoes for flip flops (thongs if you're reading this upside down), got some coffee sticks out of my bag and made myself a drink. I looked quite settled in by the time I registered. Dinner was a lovely thai green something or other curry followed by sticky toffee pud, all for only £8.50.
I had to go to the pub though. There they had beer and wifi whereas the YHA only had beer. Life is tough sometimes. And I didn't kill the perosn who was snoring in my dorm.
Abingdon to Streatley was set to be 20 miles or so. I made sure of the 'or so' by losing my position on the map near the end and failing to read the book sufficiently closely. Mind you, the local I asked for help told me I was on a different place on the map to where we were and that I was on the wrong side of the river. I dd my best to be very nice and grateful despite part of me being totally knackered and irritable.
The weather was lovely - the sun was out and the wind subsided. I spotted a red kite and it dropped down to take a drink af the edge of the river. I caught a very rough photo of it but who cares, they are magical to see and watch.
My feet have held up remarkably well, liberal lashings of vaseline all over my toes seems to have helped. Late on Friday (Day 5) I had a strange soreness developing on my right achilles tendon. I bought some ibuprofen gel and added that to my daily preparations but it wasn't good on Saturday morning. After a couple of hours I decided that I would take an early pit stop at the next lock and combine lunch with some emergency first aid (if that doesn't sound odd). I applied gel, a wound dressing to stop any rubbing, put on extra socks to lessen the movement of my foot in the shoe. I also had lunch which I'm proud to say was a large helping of malt loaf washed down with a bogoff diet pepsi! You can take only so much water and sandwiches. It was yummy and I finished off both the malt loaf and pepsi later in the day.
The lock I stopped at was actually unmanned which mean there were minimal facilities so I had to prop myself up against a noticeboard for my faffing about. It meant I got to chat to people though. One lady who wanted to check where we were (Days Lock) was the support crew for her husband who was canoeing from Lechlade to Southend to raise money for Sea Sanctuary, Falmouth. They worked with people who have mental health difficulties and take them out on boats, with counsellors to help address their problems. At first, I thought she said Seal Sanctuary. Oops. another couple I said hello to, and the man commented on my mascot, I bumped into later when they needed my map reading skills..... It's ok, I pointed them in the right direction.
Anyway, there was lots of scenery, and the YHA was up a very steep drive and I arrived 20 minutes before reception opened. Ever the prepared traveller, I changed my walking shoes for flip flops (thongs if you're reading this upside down), got some coffee sticks out of my bag and made myself a drink. I looked quite settled in by the time I registered. Dinner was a lovely thai green something or other curry followed by sticky toffee pud, all for only £8.50.
I had to go to the pub though. There they had beer and wifi whereas the YHA only had beer. Life is tough sometimes. And I didn't kill the perosn who was snoring in my dorm.
Saturday 16 May 2015
Day 6 photos
In advance of the words as I'm sitting in a pub doing this. Day 6 was Abingdon to Streatley, about 21 miles of a nice sunny day.
Why not have malt loaf for lunch? Only £1 but apparently I bought 13 portions
Feel the history in those windows. Who needs double glazing?
There was even an original loo roll holder
Don't try going up these stairs if you're the slightest bit tiddly
Church, river, scenery, sunny sky, Abingdon,
Goat or sheep?
Is it made of lego? (Other building blocks are available they're just not as good)
A church in Wallingford which had a skeletal/see-through spire
Not so many photos today. Lots of scenery but not a lot new or interesting. But tomorrow, I'm walking to Reading :-)
Why not have malt loaf for lunch? Only £1 but apparently I bought 13 portions
Feel the history in those windows. Who needs double glazing?
There was even an original loo roll holder
Don't try going up these stairs if you're the slightest bit tiddly
Church, river, scenery, sunny sky, Abingdon,
Goat or sheep?
Is it made of lego? (Other building blocks are available they're just not as good)
A church in Wallingford which had a skeletal/see-through spire
Not so many photos today. Lots of scenery but not a lot new or interesting. But tomorrow, I'm walking to Reading :-)
Day 5 photos
Brought to you by the free wifi at The Bull. Streatley not Ambridge.
Christ Church, Oxford
Junior lily pad
Black tulips
Bus or walk. Walk or bus?
The University of Oxford Botanic gardens were very good
Did I tell you that I like ferns and the little curly baby fronds?
Skip If you don' t like ferns
I think this plant belongs in a sci fi film
Obviously this is one of those really evil but pretty plants that catches insects
Plant pot in a garden
Can topiary be aspirational?
Some very flash boathouses (and two old ones)
My room at the wonderful St Ethelwold's House, Abingdon
The window to my room is to the left of the one with dark wood on the first floor
One of the buildings in the garden at St Ethelwold's
More flowers
Christ Church, Oxford
Junior lily pad
Black tulips
Bus or walk. Walk or bus?
The University of Oxford Botanic gardens were very good
Did I tell you that I like ferns and the little curly baby fronds?
Skip If you don' t like ferns
I think this plant belongs in a sci fi film
Obviously this is one of those really evil but pretty plants that catches insects
Plant pot in a garden
Can topiary be aspirational?
Some very flash boathouses (and two old ones)
My room at the wonderful St Ethelwold's House, Abingdon
The window to my room is to the left of the one with dark wood on the first floor
One of the buildings in the garden at St Ethelwold's
More flowers
Friday 15 May 2015
Day 5 Oxford to Abingdon
After the 14 miles yesterday from Newbridge to Oxford, which seemed far longer in the rain, today was almost a rest day! With only nine miles to Abingdon, I was in danger of arriving in the morning if I left by my normal target time of 9 am. So, to keep my legs in practice, I thought I'd wander around Oxford for a couple of hours.
In a Youth Hostel you can always find leaflets so I grabbed a few and headed out, to see this City of Spires. It's funny, some parts are just like any other town centre and then you get all this yellow-stoned gothic (?) architecture everywhere. I don't know if J K Rowling had visited before she wrote the books, but Oxford must have come in handy for the films. With only a couple of hours available and having to fight through the hordes of tourists (not me obviously), I was delighted to find that the University of Oxford Botanic Gardens were not only nearby but also relatively small. I'd got the hang of the pretty buildings and they were mostly shut.
At the Botanic Gardens I queued behind a senior German couple and their pushchaired grandson; they politely claimed their discount and went in. I smiled sweetly and said all that I could come up with was my Friends of Kew membership. The man looked excited and asked if I had my card because I could get in for free! Result. Didn't even have to be over 60 ;-) If you were reading my travel exploits last year you'll know that I do pop into the odd botanic garden or two.
These gardens are the oldest scientific gardens in the country, pre-dating Kew. Small but perfectly formed, one thing I did enjoy seeing was a group of schoolchildren, about 7 years old I suppose, being shown around by a really enthusiastic lady, explaining about different plants, what they're used for etc. If one child out of that bunch grows up thinking science is interesting then she's a star. Oh, I took lots of pictures. Of plants. How exciting is that.
I made my way back via St Mary's Church one of the few buildings that was open and free. And impressive. Determined to do the whole Thames Path, I walked upto where I'd left it yesterday and then retraced my steps. It's ok though, I hadn't started my garmin.
The beginning of today's walk was well, a bit busy. I've got used to strolling along, minding my own business and there comes this charabanc full of bliddy tourists. Walking on *my* path. The river has got a lot wider and busier, with more pleasure boats ploughing up and down. It took quite a while before normal service was resumed. A dog taking its owner out for a bike ride didn't know whether to bark at me or keep running, so it nearly fell over trying to decide. There were lots of geese, no cygnets, not so many butterflies (were they all washed out of the sky yesterday?). And a dead swan 😢 Lots of lovely scenery and I made it to Abingdon in 2 hours and 58 minutes.
I found my accommodation without any trouble. I'd picked St Ethelwold's House because it sounded so interesting and calm. Sandwiched between two nights at Youth Hostels, it was probably well timed. This place is a charity and serves as a place for retreat with Christian values but also offering itself as a place for meditation, yoga, classes for the local community and basically a place to chill. The building is really old, ranging from 12-13 century beginnings with a Georgian frontage. The bit where I am has a long corridor with no right angles! If you were tipsy you'd probably come out feeling the place was ok! I love it. So much character and history and peace. There are rooms and places where you can simply go and be. The garden is beautiful and overlooks a branch of the river. Abingdon itself looks great. I need to check tomorrow's plans to see if I've time for a look around.
In a Youth Hostel you can always find leaflets so I grabbed a few and headed out, to see this City of Spires. It's funny, some parts are just like any other town centre and then you get all this yellow-stoned gothic (?) architecture everywhere. I don't know if J K Rowling had visited before she wrote the books, but Oxford must have come in handy for the films. With only a couple of hours available and having to fight through the hordes of tourists (not me obviously), I was delighted to find that the University of Oxford Botanic Gardens were not only nearby but also relatively small. I'd got the hang of the pretty buildings and they were mostly shut.
At the Botanic Gardens I queued behind a senior German couple and their pushchaired grandson; they politely claimed their discount and went in. I smiled sweetly and said all that I could come up with was my Friends of Kew membership. The man looked excited and asked if I had my card because I could get in for free! Result. Didn't even have to be over 60 ;-) If you were reading my travel exploits last year you'll know that I do pop into the odd botanic garden or two.
These gardens are the oldest scientific gardens in the country, pre-dating Kew. Small but perfectly formed, one thing I did enjoy seeing was a group of schoolchildren, about 7 years old I suppose, being shown around by a really enthusiastic lady, explaining about different plants, what they're used for etc. If one child out of that bunch grows up thinking science is interesting then she's a star. Oh, I took lots of pictures. Of plants. How exciting is that.
I made my way back via St Mary's Church one of the few buildings that was open and free. And impressive. Determined to do the whole Thames Path, I walked upto where I'd left it yesterday and then retraced my steps. It's ok though, I hadn't started my garmin.
The beginning of today's walk was well, a bit busy. I've got used to strolling along, minding my own business and there comes this charabanc full of bliddy tourists. Walking on *my* path. The river has got a lot wider and busier, with more pleasure boats ploughing up and down. It took quite a while before normal service was resumed. A dog taking its owner out for a bike ride didn't know whether to bark at me or keep running, so it nearly fell over trying to decide. There were lots of geese, no cygnets, not so many butterflies (were they all washed out of the sky yesterday?). And a dead swan 😢 Lots of lovely scenery and I made it to Abingdon in 2 hours and 58 minutes.
I found my accommodation without any trouble. I'd picked St Ethelwold's House because it sounded so interesting and calm. Sandwiched between two nights at Youth Hostels, it was probably well timed. This place is a charity and serves as a place for retreat with Christian values but also offering itself as a place for meditation, yoga, classes for the local community and basically a place to chill. The building is really old, ranging from 12-13 century beginnings with a Georgian frontage. The bit where I am has a long corridor with no right angles! If you were tipsy you'd probably come out feeling the place was ok! I love it. So much character and history and peace. There are rooms and places where you can simply go and be. The garden is beautiful and overlooks a branch of the river. Abingdon itself looks great. I need to check tomorrow's plans to see if I've time for a look around.
Thursday 14 May 2015
Day 4 photos
Not many due to the inclement weather.
Newbridge, the place and the bridge there really isn't much else
The Rose Revived Inn - hopefully it will be soon
A Great Crested Grebe I've been reliably informed
Cows of the 'not bothered' variety
Rain
Fluffy sheep
The Cafe at Crisis, Oxford, just before closing
Newbridge, the place and the bridge there really isn't much else
The Rose Revived Inn - hopefully it will be soon
A Great Crested Grebe I've been reliably informed
Cows of the 'not bothered' variety
Rain
Fluffy sheep
The Cafe at Crisis, Oxford, just before closing
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