Lifetime of Walks by Derek Harwood

Parked the car at 'The Talbot Inn' public house, Swinford and cycled to Newbridge (8 miles), via Stanton Harcourt, Northmoor and Moreton Villages. Locked cycle to fence at garden entrance to 'Rose Revived' public house, Newbridge and joined Sally finishing her cup of tea in the pub lounge. Started walk from the pub garden and was soon obstructed by umpteen canoes on the river bank, awaiting their occupants. Walked around the canoes and continued along the path with splendid views of a tranquil river in both directions. Passed a solemn lone signet stood in the river shallows and a nearby plaque in memory of Bill Kirk, a keen angler. As we skirted the local bullocks we disturbed a heron, then watched the heron fly across the field and eventually disappeared towards Moreton Village. As we approached Hart's Weir Footbridge (site of an early Thames weir), two majestic swans glided under the bridge. Soon after the bridge, on the opposite bank, was a tree laden with golden brown leaves, close to a newly built large 'box' house, with little character. Nearby was a derelict caravan, which we jokingly suggested was used by the house builders. We passed more chalets and houses on the opposite bank until we came to a very large boathouse, full of character and charm, by some willow trees. A house to dream about. Soon arrived at Northmoor Lock where we stopped for lunch on a large convenient bench. Close by was a number of large seeded sunflowers and roses. After the lock we were closely watched by more bullocks until we reached the location of an old house or barn, with only the foundations just visible through the grass. Onwards past some burning logs to a couple of ladies fishing just before Bablock Hythe. One of the ladies, Sharon, had a little dog, Dodge, besides her in a dog basket. Unusual to see ladies fishing without any men or boys around. Dodge had a brown eye and a blue eye, coupled with his right ear usually raised, but his left ear always down. An unusual dog enjoying the tranquility of fishing. After a close inspection of an old ferry winch gear at 'The Ferryman Inn' public house, we tried to continue along the river bank but was politely informed that the path leaves the river to circumnavigate the local caravan park. We soon found the appropriate finger post at the lane end of the 'pub', so we followed the Stanton Harcourt Road past the caravan site entrance and the Northmoor Road, to a right turn into a field before Payne's Farm. Easy ramble across the fields to Pinkhill Lock, past a flock of sheep all staring at us in an uncanny straight line. As we approached the lock, the scenery changed for a short while with the hill of Wytham Great Wood to the north/east and the dyke of Farmoor Reservoir to the south/east. Crossed the upstream gate at Pinkhill Lock to the opposite, south bank of the river, for a short walk to the diversion via the B4044 road. Diversion circumnavigates Thames House and Oxford Cruisers Boat Yard. Back to the river bank where Sally fed the Mallard ducks with one of the spare sandwiches and three cart horses with the remaining sandwiches, just before Swinford Toll Bridge. The dominant male soon exerted authority, demanding the lion's share. After a photo of me on a small wooden footbridge over a brook by Swinford Bridge, we hunted for the path onto the bridge. I lost my sense of direction for a short while trying to find the correct path. As I wasn't wearing knickers, you could say I got my trousers in a twist. Short walk along B4044 to the car parked at 'The Talbot Inn' public house, were we changed out footwear and drove back to Newbridge to collect the bicycle and enjoy a pie & pint in the 'Rose Revived'. Another fabulous day's walk with Sally. They can't get any better, can they?

Location Map: - www.streetmap.co.uk, - Start: from Newbridge 440354/201480, - Finish: at Swinford 443995/208897, - via: Northmoor Lock 443105/202120. (Click on location and use Zoom and BACK Buttons).

Hazards:
Be prepared for the diversions away from the river bank. Road B4044 very busy with traffic at Oxford Cruises Boat Yard diversion and at Swinford Toll Bridge, if your walk starts or terminates here. This bridge has a very narrow footpath for pedestrians. Extra special care required at all times.
Click Here to Go to 'Thames Path - Section 5'
Click Here to Go to 'Thames Path - Section 7'
Click Here to Return to 'Lifetime of Walks' Homepage

	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 STANTON HARCOURT
	Newbridge to Swinford Bridge - Oxfordshire Thursday 29th October 2009 ...............................Walk No. 776
	THAMES PATH No. 6 Total 51 miles Time Taken: 4.25 hrs Distance: Enjoyment: Weather: Cloudy 11:45 am - 16:00 pm 8.5 miles 95% Mild, Little Breeze Temp: Cloud: Rain: Visibility: Ground Conditions: Wild Life: Swans 17^oC 100% None Good Excellent Heron, Sunflowers Total AA: Total MH: Total LD: Total AW: Other: Total Distance: 1043.5 mls 931.5 mls 2198.5 mls 162 mls 1251 mls 5586.5 miles Companions: (Derek) Sally Points of Interest and LINKS: Thames Path River Thames Newbridge Hart's Weir Footbridge Northmoor Lock & Weir Bablock Hythe Ferry Northmoor Village Stanton Harcourt Village Bridges Northmoor History Pinkhill Lock & Weir Swinford Toll Bridge Description: Parked the car at 'The Talbot Inn' public house, Swinford and cycled to Newbridge (8 miles), via Stanton Harcourt, Northmoor and Moreton Villages. Locked cycle to fence at garden entrance to 'Rose Revived' public house, Newbridge and joined Sally finishing her cup of tea in the pub lounge. Started walk from the pub garden and was soon obstructed by umpteen canoes on the river bank, awaiting their occupants. Walked around the canoes and continued along the path with splendid views of a tranquil river in both directions. Passed a solemn lone signet stood in the river shallows and a nearby plaque in memory of Bill Kirk, a keen angler. As we skirted the local bullocks we disturbed a heron, then watched the heron fly across the field and eventually disappeared towards Moreton Village. As we approached Hart's Weir Footbridge (site of an early Thames weir), two majestic swans glided under the bridge. Soon after the bridge, on the opposite bank, was a tree laden with golden brown leaves, close to a newly built large 'box' house, with little character. Nearby was a derelict caravan, which we jokingly suggested was used by the house builders. We passed more chalets and houses on the opposite bank until we came to a very large boathouse, full of character and charm, by some willow trees. A house to dream about. Soon arrived at Northmoor Lock where we stopped for lunch on a large convenient bench. Close by was a number of large seeded sunflowers and roses. After the lock we were closely watched by more bullocks until we reached the location of an old house or barn, with only the foundations just visible through the grass. Onwards past some burning logs to a couple of ladies fishing just before Bablock Hythe. One of the ladies, Sharon, had a little dog, Dodge, besides her in a dog basket. Unusual to see ladies fishing without any men or boys around. Dodge had a brown eye and a blue eye, coupled with his right ear usually raised, but his left ear always down. An unusual dog enjoying the tranquility of fishing. After a close inspection of an old ferry winch gear at 'The Ferryman Inn' public house, we tried to continue along the river bank but was politely informed that the path leaves the river to circumnavigate the local caravan park. We soon found the appropriate finger post at the lane end of the 'pub', so we followed the Stanton Harcourt Road past the caravan site entrance and the Northmoor Road, to a right turn into a field before Payne's Farm. Easy ramble across the fields to Pinkhill Lock, past a flock of sheep all staring at us in an uncanny straight line. As we approached the lock, the scenery changed for a short while with the hill of Wytham Great Wood to the north/east and the dyke of Farmoor Reservoir to the south/east. Crossed the upstream gate at Pinkhill Lock to the opposite, south bank of the river, for a short walk to the diversion via the B4044 road. Diversion circumnavigates Thames House and Oxford Cruisers Boat Yard. Back to the river bank where Sally fed the Mallard ducks with one of the spare sandwiches and three cart horses with the remaining sandwiches, just before Swinford Toll Bridge. The dominant male soon exerted authority, demanding the lion's share. After a photo of me on a small wooden footbridge over a brook by Swinford Bridge, we hunted for the path onto the bridge. I lost my sense of direction for a short while trying to find the correct path. As I wasn't wearing knickers, you could say I got my trousers in a twist. Short walk along B4044 to the car parked at 'The Talbot Inn' public house, were we changed out footwear and drove back to Newbridge to collect the bicycle and enjoy a pie & pint in the 'Rose Revived'. Another fabulous day's walk with Sally. They can't get any better, can they? Location Map: - www.streetmap.co.uk, - Start: from Newbridge 440354/201480, - Finish: at Swinford 443995/208897, - via: Northmoor Lock 443105/202120. (Click on location and use Zoom and BACK Buttons). Hazards: Be prepared for the diversions away from the river bank. Road B4044 very busy with traffic at Oxford Cruises Boat Yard diversion and at Swinford Toll Bridge, if your walk starts or terminates here. This bridge has a very narrow footpath for pedestrians. Extra special care required at all times. Click Here to Go to 'Thames Path - Section 5' Click Here to Go to 'Thames Path - Section 7' Click Here to Return to 'Lifetime of Walks' Homepage



News : Formula 1 : Walking : Table Tennis : Bellringing : My Friends : My Guestbook : CV : Links

Previous Walk : Next Walk : More Photos : 'Midland Hillwalking' Photos : 'Lake District' Photos
News : Formula 1 : Walking : Table Tennis : Bellringing : My Friends : My Guestbook : CV : Links
Derek Harwood: Copyright 2009 Devised: November 2009