LIFETIME of WALKS by DEREK HARWOOD

Parked at Travel Lodge, Oxford Road, Reading, and cycled to Streetly, locking bike to lamppost in the Swan Public House carpark., walked over bridge to Goring with good views of rover and weir. Surprised to see the bridge partly made of wood. Good towpath from Goring passing rover life with their young ducks, swans, and geese. Passing very impressive resident houses and in contrast a collapsed boathouse. Stop for a bite to eat on a welcome bench in Little Meadow, just before the GWR railway bridge. Very impressive brick arches, but maintenance needed to stop flora growing between the bricks and stones on bridge. Plenty of insects in and around the water. Small detour from river by Gate Hampton Manor before the ascent into Hartslock Wood. Lots of cheering from river as racing canoes passed Beale Park. Large detour from river as path passed around Coombe Park via a deep dry valley with steps either side, to Whitchurch on Thames and Whitchurch Toll Bridge. The second and last toll bridge, also free for pedestrians, leads to Pangbourne Meadow. Look back from bridge to classic view of Millpool, church and cottages. Meadows on the south bank very popular in the warm sunshine with people from boats and walkers. Strange duck before Mapledurham Lock, not in book, with a ring around each eye, before another detour at lock in Purley. Steep ascent over railway lines (Bridge) to new houses of Hazel Road, which meanders around Purley Park to main road of A329. Short walk down road to public house of Beethoven's Bistow, path crosses railway here to river, but I continued walked into reading, hard slog back to travel lodge and a welcome drink of tea. Very pleasant and varied walk in sunshine.

Location Map: - Start: at Streatley - Finish at Reading
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