Day 10

Left the 'Beetle & Wedge' (apparently 'beetle' is what they called a mallet) around 10.20. Bright sunny day - 8 C at 8.00 am. Four women started the downstream walk about the same time but they were only going to the next town 4 km away (unlike us veterans - that felt good!).

Gates to stop livestock wandering off are everywhere - all different types (will write about them... later ... perhaps). Lots of canoes - 2's 4's (with and without cox); must be because it's Saturday.

First stop today was Goring. Saw Lewis Carroll's old place. The village also has a big and busy lock (1787). Lovely pubs too (that we didn't visit).

Some of the loveliest stretches of the Thames, with sun filtering through overhanging willows etc. And anglers along the river with their truckloads of gear!

Thames runs through the 'Goring Gap' with the Chiltern Hills to the north - this was our first taste of the Thames Path actually going uphill! It's only a short stretch but I wasn't expecting it (pre-reading deficit here). The path is also busier (counting horses) - Saturday crowds probably. It was getting quite warm - even the cows in the field agreed.

Had lunch at the George Hotel (met a very interesting and helpful old timer there too) and back to the path.

Arrived at tonight's accommodation around 4.00 - having covered just over 18 km in six hours. Tomorrow is a longer day - 21 km. Tomorrow is an important day for us as we would pass the halfway mark of the 'source-to-sea' walk - hurrah! Half a celebration is called for.

Cheers