A Walkers Tale

Today is the second of two days spent walking the Thames Path , having walked from Newbridge to Oxford on the previous day. By this point we are now deep into the most rural stretch of the River Thames - and by the end of the day we will have almost walked the full navigable stretch of the river. The day begins with the same bus journey as on the previous day - catching the X15 bus to Newbridge, where we hop off and cross over the river - ready to begin our days walk. Heading out along the Thames As we head out, we pass Standlake Common Nature Reserve- which along with Rushy Common Nature Reserve forms part of the Lower Windrush Valley Project. This was a project that sought to create two nature reserves from former gravel workings - and whilst access to these nature reserves is limited, we do pass close by as we continue to head up the  Thames Path . Passing one of the bird hides at Standlake  Common  Nature Reserve From here we continue on to Shifford Lock - and then h...

Today we are back following the Thames Path  - and over the next two days we are aiming to complete the stretch between Oxford and Lechlade (which approximately marks the end of the Thames as a navigable river). In general the  Thames Path  is one of the easier paths to walk, with much of the trail having both frequent train stations and frequent places to stay that will not break the budget. But whilst the very western end of the trail has a very handy train station at Kemble - there is a reduced amount of transportation options for much of the stretch between Kemble and Oxford. For those looking to do stretches as day walks, or stay of the trail, the best transportation option therefore becomes the bus - and today we will make use of the X15 bus that runs between Oxford and Newbridge (the version of the X15 that runs all the way to Witney). This is a slightly shorter walk than usual, and so today I have been able to head out from home on a (very early) train - and despi...