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LIFETIME of WALKS by DEREK HARWOODDerek Harwood's Walking Records If you have any queries about the pictures or descriptions e-mail me at: derek@harwoodonline.com | |||||
THAMES PATH THAMES HEAD | |||||
Thames Head to Neigh Bridge Country Park - Gloucestershire
Saturday 13th June 2009 ................................Walk No. 752 |
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THAMES PATH No. 1 Total 6.5 miles Time Taken: 4.25 hrs Distance: Enjoyment: Weather: No wind Noon - 4:20 pm 6.5 miles 90% Warm, Sunny Periods Temp: Cloud: Rain: Visibility: Ground Conditions: Wild Life: Cattle 18oC 50% None Very Good Excellent Moorhens & Tufted Ducks Total AA: Total MH: Total LD: Total AW: Other: Total Distance: 1034.5 mls 931.5 mls 2035 mls 162 mls 1243.5 mls 5406.5 miles Companions: (Derek) Sally Points of Interest and LINKS: Thames Path River Thames Thames Head Wysis Way Thames and Severn Canal Kemble Village Ewen Village Kemble Mill Neigh Bridge Country Park Cotswold Water ParkDescription:
Parked Sally's Car in Neigh Bridge Country Park and drove to A433 lay-by near Thames Head. As we prepared for walk in lay-by, another couple parked their car alongside for short walk to Thames Head. Walked North/East along the A433 for approx. 1/4 mile to path, where road dipped. Then walked to Thames Head Stone with the couple from Brighton past herds of cattle lazing in the warm sunshine. Returned to main road, after photographs, and descended stone steps from roadside to lush meadow, where a dark strip of grass (footpath), could clearly be seen alongside dry bed of River Thames. Stopped for a while by a low Cotswold stone wall across the dry river bed, with numerous holes, acting as a water flow restriction. Continued to A429 bridge where we sat in the shade of a tree for lunch and put the world to right. Here the Wysis Way intersects with the Thames Path. Crossed the road and the old bed of the dismantled railway track to continue along the dry river bed to a minor road between Kemble and Ewen Villages. Here at Parker's Bridge, the river was flowing, but the spring supplying the water was hidden in the under growth. Walked alongside lane into Ewen Village, with a short rest on the millennium Seat, before admiring the local houses and the idyllic horse scenes on the southern edge of the village. Passed Upper Mill Farm to find a derelict wind pump on the water tower, as we spoke to one of many couples walking their dogs. Soon passed Old Mill Farm to bridge over river by Neigh Bridge Country Park lake, part of Cotswold Water Park, where we enjoyed watching the birds on the lake and observing the height of some of the dog roses. As we reached the car park Sally realised that she had left her car keys in my car at the lay-by, leaving us marooned in the Country Park by a locked car. Sally said my face was a picture when she explained the facts. We discussed the situation with the owner of an adjacent car and he agreed to drive me to my car by Thames Head. This lift saved our bacon. Sally thought it funny, she was crying with laughter, but I was seriously thinking of our limited options for the best solution. We enjoyed a pint in Somerford Keynes Village, Bakers Arms Public House to laugh down the days events. A wonderful start to the Thames Path with Sally in the warm June Sunshine.
Location Map: - www.streetmap.co.uk, - Start: from Thames Head 398119/199410, - Finish: at Neigh Bridge Country Park 401813/194725, - via: Ewen Village 400421/197525. (Click on location and use Zoom and BACK Buttons). Hazards: Take great care while crossing roads and lanes. Some locals know the roads well and drive very fast. In some locations the Thames Path suddenly emerges from an overgrown narrow path straight onto a busy highway. Click Here to Go to 'Thames Path - Section 2' Click Here to Return to 'Lifetime of Walks' Homepage | |||||
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Derek Harwood: Copyright 2009 Devised: August 2009 Revised: September 2009 |