Time for the final walk of this challenge and I’m pleased to have been able to achieve it before the end of September. At the beginning of the week there was 70% rain forecast for the day, but how wrong that turned out to be.
I decided to do quite a straightforward but classic walk for number 50. This was more of the Thames Path between the City of Oxford and the market town of Abingdon. I was really fortunate to be accompanied by two friends – Jane and Paul.
Over ten years ago I walked from Abingdon to Oxford so decided that this needed to be the reverse route. So from parking near the river in Abingdon the first part of the adventure was to catch the bus to Oxford – first time of using my bus pass – thanks Alex for persuading me to get this!
The bus stopped the other side of the river and we passed the ‘Head of the River’ pub before we quickly joined the path and bridges that designated this first part of the route.
We were all amazed at how busy it was- walkers, runners and an extraordinary number of cyclists – an almost constant pinging of bells and a moving to the side of the path! I began to think I’d made a mistake!
Quite busy with small craft on the river as well. On the opposite side of the river is the path I took in Christ Church Meadow and then various college boathouses. A female crew of eight were next to the bank being given earnest instructions by their coach – sat on his bike. He later passed us along the path , still shouting instructions!
As we approached the first road bridge we had to go under – Donnington Bridge there was much activity in the Riverside Activity Centre. We were even more struck by a loud sound as two swans came into land on the water – not quick enough to capture this, immediately looking calm and serene.
We noticed how much green space there was on either side of the river with several paths and still lots of people!
Next place of significance was Iffley Lock – good pub – but no time to try today. It used to have a tenpin bowling alley in the barn at the back! Did notice this neat little bridge.
Next under the bypass with its decoration – some actually being done as we passed.
It was at this point that the ‘Traffic Free Cycle Path’ and our route parted company and we walked along the edge of a meadow. This was a peaceful section before the river route became more complex.
The river appeared to split in two and we had to cross a bridge and walk along an island. This complex splitting of the water, near an area called Sanford Pool , continued for a while crossing a weir before the lock came into view.
It was incredibly warm and there were some convenient garden benches by the lock so we decided it was time for lunch! At this point ‘ Shakespeare’s Way’ which has been running in conjunction with the Thames Path splits and goes east. No action at the lock – just one long canal boat approaching as we leave.
A little action on the water but I’m not going to try to identify these breeds of geese!
After an undisturbed and pleasant stretch by the river of about 3 km the next distinguishing feature is the Radley College Boat House. This could make this undisturbed part of the river, very busy at times!
I was on the look out for a large building on the hill above the opposite bank. Alas the trees had grown significantly and the present incumbents clearly wanted more privacy.
The building peeking through the trees was in fact Nuneham House where I had lived for two years as it was my hall of residence whilst at college.
During my first year myself and two others had been housed upstairs in the right hand corner of the building on the right. Significant as it had been used by Queen Victoria on a visit. In my second year a friend and I shared a room at the back on a Mezzanine floor and used a bathroom once assigned to ‘Lillie Langtry’ an actress and director who stayed there whilst having an affair with the then Prince of Wales!
Rather more importantly I refurbished some parts of the garden as part of one of my courses and I’m pleased to say this is another locality for the work of ‘Lancelot Capability Brown’.
On our bank the coarse grass transforms to a mowed lawn and we walk at the edge of Pumney Farm. There are several Reed beds visible in this area and we deduced these might surround some of the gravel pit sites that are a feature of this area.
On the far side having gone under the railway which is the line which connects Didcot and Oxford there is a rather contrasting sight. Hills scarred by motor cross tracks! Alex has also completed cross country races here – not his favourite course.
This next section is quite wooded and we sense we are approaching Abingdon due to more noise coming from the river but our path seems to turn away around a tributary and looses the river bank for a stretch but we soon reach a series of weirs where the ‘Abbey Stream’ joins the Thames. This time there is a boat in the lock. A hotel boat – a skippered stay on board including meals !
Now on the other side of the river we continue waterside towards the main bridge into the town. The Abbey ruins can be seen across as well as the site of the outdoor pool and play fountain. Also a lot of boats moored along this stretch including two being renovated – well that was the conclusion seeing the grease covered hands of the two men involved!
We are almost at our destination – the Nag’s Head. The familiar contours of the ‘Old Gaol’ and St. Helen’s Church can be seen.
A very thirst quenching orange and soda water, thank you Jane. It seems very odd to have finished my challenge and not be planning my next walk. Oh well, Prosecco waits at home!
Marion's 50 Walk Challenge 