Diamond clear morning; not a cloud in the sky and Celsius 12 at 8.00 am. Set off at 9.30. Sunlight on the river, trees, grass - really something!
Thames path itself ranges from broad grassy paths to narrow tracks through bushes & trees - just like in the earlier segments of the walk. The meadows stretch for miles and Clifton Meadow, for example, floods in winter but is full of wild flowers in spring - of course we didn't see any! Fun walking here though.
That's hops growing there! Saw cows getting in the Thames for the first time too.
Detoured to a little village called Sutton-Courtenay (home of George Owell, Lord Asquith et. al.), planning to have a look at the 13th Century Abbey and other marvelous things and have a coffee at one of the two pubs. It was 11.15 and nothing opens till 12.00.
Kept walking to Clifton-Hampden, where the pub established in 1352 is thatch covered and doesn't look its age. Besides, it's open!
On the last segment of the walk for the day, we decided to climb the Wittenham Clumps - two hills that give a 360 degree view of the surrounding country. At that time of the day (and state of our legs) it was more 'significant' than the 3 km it added to the day's walk.
Rolled into Dorchester around 4.15 - looking forward to a beer.
Cheers!
Got to get your timing right so as to arrive at the pub when they are open. You should master it by the end of the walk.
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