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LIFETIME of WALKS by DEREK HARWOOD


Derek 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
13th June 2009 - Map of Thames Path - Section 1 - Thames Head to Neigh Bridge Country Park

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 Park
Description:
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
13th June 2009 - Thames Path 1 - Sally & Derek at Thames Head Stone
13th June 2009 - Thames Path 1 - Cattle near Thames Head
13th June 2009 - Thames Path 1 - River Flow Restriction near A433
Derek's Walking Homepage
13th June 2009 - Thames Path 1 - Dry River Bed Alongside Path
13th June 2009 - Thames Path 1 - Sally on Dry River Bed near A429
13th June 2009 - Thames Path 1 - Derek at First Flowing Water Under Parker's Bridge
13th June 2009 - Thames Path 1 - Sally on Bench in Ewen Village
13th June 2009 - Thames Path 1 - Horses in Field near Home Farm, Ewen Village
13th June 2009 - Thames Path 1 - House by River, South of Ewen Village
13th June 2009 - Thames Path 1 - Mallards on Lake by Neigh Bridge Country Park, Car Park 13th June 2009 - Thames Path 1 - Tufted Ducks in Pool at Neigh Bridge Country Park 13th June 2009 - Thames Path 1 - Dog Rose by Neigh Bridge Country Park Lake 13th June 2009 - Thames Path 1 - Sally on Bridge to Country Park Lake 13th June 2009 - Thames Path 1 - Derelict Wind Pump & Water Tower, South of Upper Mill Farm

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Derek Harwood: Copyright 2009
Devised: August 2009
Revised: September 2009