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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
LECHLADE
Castle Eaton Village to St. John's Bridge - Wiltshire

Friday 28th August 2009
.......................................Walk No. 769
28th August 2009 - Map of Thames Path - Section 3 - Castle Eaton Village to St. John's Bridge

THAMES PATH  No. 3                                    Total 26 miles


Time Taken:   5.5 hrs         Distance:      Enjoyment:      Weather:   Strong wind
 11:46 - 17:15 pm                8.5 miles             90%                  Heavy Showers

Temp:    Cloud:      Rain:    Visibility:   Ground Conditions:   Wild Life:   Ducks
 18oC       70%          5%       Average            Excellent        Blackberries & Swans

Total AA:      Total MH:    Total LD:       Total AW:     Other:       Total Distance:
 1043.5 mls    931.5 mls     2140 mls         162 mls      1251 mls       5519.5 miles

Companions:  (Derek)  Sally 

Points of Interest and LINKS:
Thames Path                                   River Thames                   Castle Eaton Village
Kempsford Village                          Hannington Wick                   Hannington Bridge
Ingesham Medieval Village                Lechlade Town                 Inglesham Polo Club
Cricklade to Lechlade Walk                            Ashton Keynes to Rushey Lock Walk
St John's Lock                                St John's Bridge
Description:
Parked car in Sherborne Street, Lechlade Market Town and cycled to Castle Eaton against very strong winds, via Welford Village and Kempsford Village, to Sally waiting at St. Mary's Church Lych Gate. Walked from 'The Street' to Long Row, Church View and Blackford Lane, passing terraced cottages which may have been almhouses. Tarmac lane turned to footpath at Blackford Farm where we followed river bank over footbridges to Bridge Farm. Continued along lane opposite Hannington Wick Village and good bridle track past Strets Farm to Upper Inglesham. Passed a new useless gate sited before village with whole field to walk around gate. Left turn onto busy and noisy A361 road, passing a very well maintained vegetable garden by Upper Inglesham Cottages. Verge on east side of road is recommended for easier walking facing the on-coming traffic. Left turn from main road to lane towards Inglesham Village, with a huge kissing gate leading to meadow and footbridge by Round House. Picturesque willow trees where River Coln flows into River Thames. Tempting to cross impressive arched wooden footbridge by Round House, but actual path continues on southern bank of river. A finger post at this location would have saved the confusion and be reassuring. Stopped for refreshments at this location, but Sally had left her sandwiches in her car, so we shared mine. We enjoyed the piece and calm of the river until Sally noticed a huge black cloud approaching. We hurried into Riverside Park towards Lechlade, passing a field of swans on the opposite bank, all feeding on the luscious grass. There must have been thirty to fifty in the few hundred yards to Halfpenny Bridge. As we passed lots of moored river boats and several sign warning bathers to be aware of deep water, the heavens opened and we got very wet. We were drawn to the Riverside Public House on the Lechlade bank of the river, but as we crossed Halfpenny Bridge the rain stopped. After welcome refreshments, we enquired about buses in the area at Lechlade Square post office, but there wasn't a regular service in the direction of the river. We returned over Halfpenny Bridge to continue along the meadows to St John's Lock, again passing more swans. The lock is an impressive sturdy steel construction with heavy duty gates by the statue of Old Father Thames. Couldn't resist a few photographs. Onwards past the information hut to St John's Bridge and the Trout Inn Public House. Short but wet road walk back to Lechlade and the car. This time the huge black cloud threw hail at us. Through Market Square again with a short diversion to the Christmas Shop near the parked car. As we passed the traffic lights a car needlessly drove through several puddles to soak our trousers. Another wonderful and memorable day's walking with Sally.

Location Map: - www.streetmap.co.uk, - Start: from Castle Eaton Village 414662/195854, - Finish: at St John's Bridge 422261/199015, - via: Lunch at Round House 420534/198872. (Click on location and use Zoom and BACK Buttons).

Hazards:
Always shut the gate, even if the gate is situated in a strange location with all the adjacent field to walk past the gate.

Click Here to Go to 'Thames Path - Section 2'
Click Here to Go to 'Thames Path - Section 4'
Click Here to Return to 'Lifetime of Walks' Homepage
28th August 2009 - Thames Path 3 - Long Row Cottages, Castle Eaton
28th August 2009 - Thames Path 3 - River near Kempsford
28th August 2009 - Thames Path 3 - Please Close the Gate before Manor Farm, Upper Inglesham
Derek's Walking Homepage
28th August 2009 - Thames Path 3 - River Coln Joins River Thames by Roundhouse
28th August 2009 - Thames Path 3 - Footbridge by Roundhouse
28th August 2009 - Thames Path 3 - Derek at Footbridge by Roundhouse
28th August 2009 - Thames Path 3 - Approaching Rain near Footbridge by Roundhouse
28th August 2009 - Thames Path 3 - Finger Post by Ha'penny Bridge
28th August 2009 - Thames Path 3 - The Riverside Public House from Ha'penny Bridge
28th August 2009 - Thames Path 3 - Swans and Ha'penny Bridge
28th August 2009 - Thames Path 3 - St John's Lock
28th August 2009 - Thames Path 3 - The Square, High Street, Lechlade Town 28th August 2009 - Thames Path 3 - The Trout Inn Public House by St John's Bridge 28th August 2009 - Thames Path 3 - River Boats and Lechlade Church from St John's Bridge 28th August 2009 - Thames Path 3 - Sally and Old Father Thames by St John's Lock 28th August 2009 - Thames Path 3 - Derek and Old Father Thames by St John's Lock

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Derek Harwood: Copyright 2009
Devised: September 2009