LIFETIME of WALKS by DEREK HARWOOD

Parked the car at 'The Swan, Streatley' by the Goring Bridge and cycled to Benson where Sally was reading her book in the park shelter by the river. Walked down Preston Crowmarsh Lane to Alley leading to Benson Lock. Crossed river at weir and lock to West Bank and easy walking to Wallingford, passing Castle Meadows and the Castle ruins. Short break on bench by Wallingford Map and bridge while a luxury pleasure boat manoeuvred to several mooring locations. Short detour from river to path passes along Thames Street. Short stop by parked cars in street to scrump apple's from overhanging branches above footpath. Continued along alleyway behind St Leonard's Church to lower Wharf and the riverbank. More pleasant walking past gardens to open meadows by by=pass road bridge. Stopped for lunch opposite Carmel College on a tall wooden box by a moored rowing boat 'Water Lucy II'. Sally enjoyed picking blackberries at several locations before the railway bridge. Brickwork under bridge twisted to give bridge more strength. Path detoured from river again through Moulsford Village, passing private school. As we passed the school playing fields with white line markings for strange square shape games, two clusters of Red Arrows jets passed noisily ow to the ground. Long walk down 'The Street' to Ferry Lane and the Beetle and Wedge public house where Sally posed for a lovely photograph. Onwards passing boat clubs and wide open meadows to Cleeve Lock. Here we watched a wonderful pleasure boat pass through the lock which was once owned by Raymond Baxter the broadcaster. As we approached Goring weir the boat houses on the Cleeve bank became more and more impressive. The sun appeared as we approached Streatley so we sun bathed on the riverbank for a while near Goring Weir. Short detour away from the river again to St Mary's church and the parked car in the Swan Car Park. Refreshments in a nearby pub in Goring before returning to Benson to collect the Bicycle. Another fantastic day's walking with Sally, never a dull moment.

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