Friday 30 August 2013

The Thames Path

I finally reached the source of the River Thames last week. I have loved almost every minute of the walk, meeting lots of different people, seeing wildlife I had never seen before and achieving a long held dream of walking from the Thames Barrier in South East London to the source of the river in Gloucestershire, 184 miles away.




The weather has been excellent for walking this summer so I hadly encountered any rain at all. For the most part I travelled from home to where I had finished walking the previous day. This in itself was a logistical challenge, having to co-ordinate the trains and buses. Some days it took almost 3 hours to get to my starting point and the same to get home so travelling was taking up as much time as the walk. But then time was on my side. I had not set myself a schedule so was not under pressure to finish within a particular number of days. In fact it took 17 days. It could easily be done in less if you are staying over on route. Once I reached Oxford I sought out accomodation and from then it was a continuous walk.


I met people from Australia, New Zealand, Denmark, the USA as well as many from the British Isles. I saw herons, cormorants,kingfishers and red kites by the dozen.  There were fishermen, eel catchers, crayfish catchers, naturalists as well as naturists!
I was sorry it had come to an end but there will be another trail somewhere for me to walk again soon. Meanwhile I am continuing to document it on my other blog www.62andthenext10pathways.blogspot.co.uk

The posts are long but I want to do it as an aide memoire for myself. Here's to the next one




Sharing with    Weekend reflections

21 comments:

  1. Good for you. That is quite an accomplishment and shows great determination.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Well you have done it so well done, it's more than me who has only walked parts of it. Maybe one day I will do the lot but I'll start from the source.
    Next Challenge how about the Ridgeway, not as long but sone nice sights on the way and you get the chance to pass through my area again.

    ReplyDelete
  3. That is quite an accomplishment! I am amazed at what you can do when you set your mind to it. Congratulations! :-)

    ReplyDelete
  4. Oh, that is quite an accomplishment indeed! A great challenge and you met it!! Thanks so much for sharing with us!! Terrific! All of that and a beautiful reflection for the day as well!! Enjoy your weekend!!

    ReplyDelete
  5. Congratulations! I look forward to reading about the rest of the walk.

    ReplyDelete
  6. That looks like something I would love to do. I've heard there are beautiful trails and countryside to explore in your country. Someday......

    ReplyDelete
  7. Oh gosh that's something I would so love to do, I miss the English countryside so much!

    That was a well earned glass and it's a lovely reflection!

    ReplyDelete
  8. What a great challenge you made, congratulations you did it. You are a real go-getter! Loved to follow some parts with you, thanks for the photos.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Congrats on your challenge and lovely reflection shot ~ thanks, carol ^_^

    ReplyDelete
  10. Very nice reflection shot.
    I checked your other blog about your walk...that's such a unique village, so much to see. :)

    Thanks for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Great reflection here. Congrats on achieving your goal - clearly keeping you immensely fit in the process!

    ReplyDelete
  12. Congrats. What a fabulous achievement. I can tell how proud you are of yourself for doing that. AWESOME.... Walking is so important and can be SO much fun!!!!!

    What is your next big project?
    Hugs,
    Betsy

    ReplyDelete
  13. This is great trip. I like the fact you could complete it without any major hiccups.

    ReplyDelete
  14. Both portraits of you are so funny, so full of joy, so vibrant of life ! I love them... Great composition on the reflection : the drink looks very refreshing. ^^

    ReplyDelete
  15. I like the sound of your bucket list Fun60, my husband who is a serious walker would enjoy it too:) i like your reflection shot, a very well deserved drink methinks..cheers :)

    ReplyDelete
  16. I wondered if you make it before the weather turned. But clearly your posting of the walk is behind real life. I am enjoying my arm chair travel immensely and it is one perfect argument against anyone who says negative things about the internet. I'd reckon that most of England don't know about the Thame and the Isis, but I do and I know where they join. Well done and thanks for sharing it with us.

    PS, I have read a book by someone who walked Hadrians Wall, so I hope that is not on your bucket list.

    ReplyDelete
  17. Congratulations for setting a goal and then reaching it! I'm glad the weather cooperated with you too.

    ReplyDelete
  18. It must be a great trip...beautiful photos...

    ReplyDelete
  19. I am incredibly impressed! Congratulations. I'll check out your walking blog.

    ReplyDelete

Thank-you for reading my blog. I would love to read your comments.