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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 LECHLADE | |||||
Castle Eaton Village to St. John's Bridge - Wiltshire
Friday 28th August 2009 .......................................Walk No. 769 |
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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 BridgeDescription:
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 | |||||
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Derek Harwood: Copyright 2009 Devised: September 2009 |