Old Father Thames
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As Covid restrictions came into force I had plans to walk from the source of the Thames down to the Barrage on a Long Distance Walking Trail. These plans had to be altered several times but after a 5th attempt, I was able to get away in late May 2022 along a section of the upper Thames from Oxford to Marlow. I booked a week through my trusted Holiday Organisers Inn Travel and clocked up 56 miles in the process.
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The total distance of the Trail is about 200 miles but Inn Travel had cherry-picked the best bits of the Oxford to Marlow, arranged top accommodation, a pick-up-luggage service and comprehensive route notes. It worked a treat and I enjoyed many great experiences.
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I hope you enjoy the following photographs showing some of the interesting views we enjoyed.
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This marked the start of our walk in Oxford
A marina, passenger launching point, loading jetty, pub and access directly to Oxford City Centre
The geese, swans and ducks were constant companions and there was always something interesting to see along the Trails.
Why oh why is there a red posting box on the bridge at Sonning?
Iffley Lock
The food provided by the hotels was always of a high standard and Full-On.
One day our lunch was just a roll between us with strawberry jam and half a banana each. That was all we could manage!
The river is shared by so many users and nature.
Walking through a country estate along the Trail
There were many locks, some we had to cross.
The lock at Shiplake
Just so English. Chiltern Hills, River Thames, Flower Meadow. Immaculate Cricket Field
Streatley Lock
The hills above the Goring Gap
Looking down from the chalk hills
onto Goring and Streatley
Many fine riverside residences
Known as Sphynx Hill
or the Egyptian House.
The gardens run down to the river
but the footpath follows the
tow-path across their lower garden
I read from our notes that The house was designed for a senior QC who wanted a modern interpretation of an Egyptian House. Very nice too.
The Henley Mile -
Famous for the world's greatest rowing regatta.
Footbridge to change sides
on the river footpath.
The old branch railway line from Oxford to the Cowley Motor Works
Moulsford Railway Bridge - known as Four Arches bridge is a pair of parallel bridges which carry the Great Western mainline from London to Wales.
The original bridge was designed by Isambard Kingdom Brunel and was built to carry a pair of broad gauge tracks.
A second bridge was built in similar style in the 1890's to allow 4 fast moving tracks.
The bridge is a superb piece of engineering as it was built at a skewed angle of 60 degrees.
It is Listed Grade 2.
This is the railway bridge carrying the single track railway from Henley to Twyford
Sometimes we came across some unbelievable properties with their own characterful features.
Each day we saw such an array of "golly-gosh moments. Hmm. Travel certainly broadens the mind.
Thanks for looking.
