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| Clockwise from top - Tadpole Bridge, a serene Thames, spot the path! |
It was definitely a day of two halves. When we set off the path was not too bad for the usual half mile of dog walking territory, but it soon deteriorated and for the first 6 miles to Newbridge we struggled through knee high grass overhanging the path and in places a very uneven surface. The path was at least alongside the river, but the view was often blocked by the vegetation growing along the bank. By the time we reached Newbridge we had damp legs and were caked in grass pollen.
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| Clockwise from top left - a lonely footbridge, path maintenance anyone?, a lonely pillbox |
There were some compensations, we startled a deer and quite a few birds and dragon flies.
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| River life |
We stopped at the Rose Revived Pub at Newbridge for a mid morning break and having consulted the book we decided to convert our trousers to shorts.
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| Newbridge - a 13th century bridge |
The next 3.5 miles were glorious, open meadows by the river, no long grass, few people, few boats and some houses we could only dream about owning - though as we get nearer to London, the houses will no doubt become even more amazing.
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| Un-affordable housing |
We stopped for lunch at the Ferryman at Bablock Hythe. The pub has a nice terrace and the portions are enormous, but it is definitely misnamed, as the old chain ferry no longer operates, which is a shame because the path on the other side continues to follow the river. On our side the path diverts round a truly ghastly permanent caravan park and across a very strange field. There must have been 6 or 7 bonfire sites in various stages of building and burning and some very tatty sheep huddled in the shade.
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| Clockwise from left - a nice stretch of path, a nice stretch of river, the field with lots of bonfires |
Several fields and a lane later we finally rejoined the river just before our destination, Pinkhill Lock near Farmoor.
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| Pinkhill Weir and lock |
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