Monday had finished with me enjoying a pint at Ye Olde Swan at Radcot, getting a cab to Faringdon, a bus to Swindon and a drive back to Faringdon to spend a night at the Travelodge. Pretty mad I know but it had been thought through. Being almost brand new, the Faringdon Travelodge is eminently nicer than Swindon, it's cheaper to stay in and car parking is free; as an OAP these things are important!! Most importantly, staying in Faringdon also meant I could get an early start to today's walk.
After my 3rd cooked breakfast in as many days I drove to the centre of Faringdon, parked my car and called my friends at Faringdon Cars for a cab.
15 minutes later I was back at Radcot Bridge. The aim today was to get to Swinford Bridge because there is a bus stop there with a regular service into Oxford and from Oxford there is an equally regular service out to Faringdon.
After about half an of walking I decided it was drone time again to demonstrate how the river was slowly meandering its way towards Oxford.
About 10 minutes later I was walking across a field of cows when I saw a fellow Thames Path walker approaching from the opposite direction. I knew this was Keld who I'd been following on Twitter. We'd worked out that we'd cross paths that morning. As we were talking, the cows wanted to join the party and pretty soon they'd formed a circle around us. It was hilarious.
At Rushey Lock I noticed that since I was last here a year earlier, the topiary toad (or is it a frog?) was sporting a rather natty crown on its head.
Tadpole Bridge came up next. It was a little early to stop for a lunchtime pint at The Trout
Half an hour later the path entered Chimney Meadows - the Berks, Bucks & Oxon Wildlife Trust's largest nature reserve in Oxfordshire. https://www.bbowt.org.uk/nature-reserves/chimney-meadows The reserve is so peaceful and tranquil.
Shifford Lock Cut was excavated to cut out a section of the main course of the river. It is almost straight and about 1 mile long. The excavation created an island bounded by the cut and the original course. The Thames Path follows the cut and about half way along crosses onto this island over a wooden footbridge, imaginatively called the Shifford Cut Footbridge. At the end of the cut the Thames Path crosses to the south bank of the river over a short, simple footbridge.
Another 2.5 miles after crossing to the south bank of the river I finally arrived at Newbridge. Newbridge is the name of the bridge here and it's in the middle of nowhere. It's also an odd name, as whilst it was obviously new when it was built in the 14th century it's the 2nd oldest bridge along the Thames. The bridge carries the Abingdon to Witney road. Considering its location it's surprising that there are 2 pubs here at either end of the bridge and a bus service. The Maybush is on the south bank and the Rose Revived is on the north bank. I've visited both in the past and the Rose Revived wins hands down in my opinion. Anyway, it was 13:45 and I was feeling more than a little peckish and thirsty. I crossed the bridge to the Rose Revived and ordered a pint and a packet of crisps. Sitting at a table by the river I consumed these whilst surreptitiously eating my shop-bought sandwich.
The section of the Thames Path between Newbridge and Bablock Hythe is probably the most remote. It is getting on for 4 miles of meadows, mostly carpeted with buttercups. Up to this point cows had been my company but suddenly it was sheep - lots and lots of sheep and lambs. All very pleasant.
Bablock Hythe is a small hamlet which appears to consist of a pub and a very large caravan park. At one time there was a ferry here (hence why the pub is called the Ferryman) and the towpath continued on the opposite bank of the river. The ferry service stopped in the early 2000s. The Thames Path leaves the river here and for the next 2 miles continues along country roads and fields full of sheep. As I was walking along the road by the caravan park I caught up with a couple of ladies who were clearly fellow walkers. As you do, I exchanged pleasantries with them and as things turned out, walked with them all the way to Pinkhill Lock where they were leaving to meet their husbands at Farmoor Reservoir.
Anyway, they noticed the logo on my t-shirt and generously gave me £20 for my charity. So, thank you very much Sue and Fiona. Sue, had just completed her own challenge raising money for Autism Family Support Oxfordshire, doing 60 cold water swims on 60 consecutive days starting on her 60th birthday in March. Hats off to her! By the way, I felt it only fair that I should donate to her charity.
On reaching Pinkhill Lock, Sue and Fiona took the path to Farmoor Reservoir and I took the Thames Path towards Swinford Bridge.
I was nearing the end of my walk. The Thames Path was forced to briefly leave the river for a few hundred yards and rejoined at a boatyard. I could see Swinford Bridge in the distance and to reach it I just had to walk through a meadow absolutely covered with buttercups; it was quite a sight.
The great thing about Swinford Bridge (apart from its beauty) is that there is a bus stop less than 100 yards away as well as a bench. I sat in the late sunshine waiting for my bus, eating the banana I'd taken at breakfast from the Travelodge! It didn't bother me that it was 6:30 and I still had 2 buses to catch and a 2 hour drive home. I had reached the point where I could now complete most of the remaining stages of my challenge by travelling to and from home each day.
Official distance covered today was 17.5 miles.
