LIFETIME of WALKS by DEREK HARWOOD

Parked in the Swan car park, Streatley and walked over Goring Birdge to north bank, passing Goring Lock and Weirs. Barges and pleasure boats moored south of bridge. Sally talked to several boat owners and spotted a heron fishing on the opposite bank. The path soon opens out to meadows before the great western railway bridge and detours from the river at Ferry Cottage, after the bridge near Gatehampton Manor. The path slowly climbs through Hartslock Wood and diverts around Combe Park away from the river. After the puff of the climb, we stopped for a while at the narrow path as Sally sampled the local blackberries. The way ahead dropped sharply for a short distance then continues at a height to a Tarmaged Lane leading to B471, Whitchurch on Thames. Care required down the narrow road past cottages of character to the toll bridge. Path detours briefly around the narrow section of the road, past the church to the grandeur building around the mill pond. Over the bridge to Pangbourne and a hunt for a tearoom. Hunt ended at the Elephant Hotel where we enjoyed a large cup of tea on a very lazy settee, back to the river at Pangbourne Meadow where large crowds had gathered to enjoy canoe racing. Onwards along the vast open and flat meadows to Purley on Thames passing Alpacas on the field on the opposite bank and numerous luxury pleasure boats. At Mapleourham Lock we stopped for a welcome ice cream as several steam boats passed through the lock. Strange to hear the familiar steam toot from a boat rather than a steam engine. Through the pleasant hill streets of Purley, past modern detached houses to the busy main road and back to Sally's car at the disused Rowbuck Public House. Soon found the local Toby Inn to round off another fantastic walk with Sally on the Thames Path.

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