A&A_S_Africa_UK

Planning for an early getaway we had breakfast delivered to our room the previous night. We were able to hit the road at 6:55 am - a record for us. No boats come this far and very quickly we see the Thames much reduced in size but still a healthy looking clear stream. Bridge at Cricklade: At the end here the river passes under someone’s garden wall:  This is the only section we have seen with stepping stones. We made some navigational errors today and strayed a bit from the true path, but righted the wrong after consulting the compass, maps, guidebook, and gnashing of teeth. We put the mistake down to excavation works and missing signposts etc. The wide section here is one of many lakes formed from sand and gravel extraction. Some seem to be reserved for fishing. They are close to but appear not to be directly connected to the river. We eventually found the official plaque marking the « Source ». The pile of rubble surrounds a hole from whence the mighty Thames flows, but not today.  

Slightly shorter distance today but we still stoked up on a cooked breakfast for this penultimate leg, as it was likely we would not have an opportunity for lunch or coffee. The Thames is definitely a lot cleaner looking here, despite the number of cows around. However we did manage a snack & coffee at the Red Lion at Castle Eaton which was on our route. We had to wait 5 minutes for its noon opening.  This is definitely a Red Lion day for us as we head off for the Red Lion in Cricklade, our bed for the night. Cricklade is a quaint well preserved village.   Being Monday night restaurant is closed so we ate at the White Hart just up the road. This was a good choice as food was very good. This is the 2nd White Hart we have eaten in on this trek.

Impressive curved beams on this lock gate. Caught napping, again.

From now on we are moving to new accommodation each day. Locations are too remote to work around public transport. Just have to get used to lugging heavier bags. We set off from our flat in Oxford about 8 am and head to Newbridge. As there river narrows the boats get smaller. They seem quite happy to take canoes through the locks. Bigger boats still make it through. There are still some very grand houses in these parts. This was our hottest day yet 32 deg, and sun was shining strongly. It made walking a thirsty exercise. Nevertheless we survived to make it to the “Rose Revived” in Newbridge for a cooling down and some liquid refreshments.