Maureen's walk for MND

 Blog No 27, Walk with Graham from Tadpole Bridge to Kelmscot, 7 miles Sunday 24th August. Graham has already put out an account of our walk on Facebook plus photos and so I will be taking some of his photos to use for this blog, He also wrote an eloquent description of our walk and so I will try to live up to his interesting account. Here we are again,  We began at Tadpole Bridge It was sunny but with a breeze so good walking conditions. We chatted as we crossed the usual mix of narrow path opening into meadowlands or fields which seem to be marked more frequently with electric fences.  Lovely photos of this section. Soon we reached Rushey Lock, not very busy, but boats were stirring on the river and so no doubt business would be brisk. Reaching the lock was just under a 3rd of the walk we set ourselves. Graham teased me about walking the last 4 miles to Lechlade after Lunch which we were having with his family when we reached Kelmscot.  We then saw Old Man's Bridge...

 Blog No 26 Newbridge to Tadpole Bridge 6 miles 22nd August '25. This walk was the day after the 'carnival' occasion of reaching Newbridge. I was walking with Alison and Gai. When we arrived at the starting point there was another group of friends and neighbours seeing us off which was again a big surprise. This walk was about 6 miles to Tadpole Bridge. We were energised by all the well wishing and set off at a good pace. Situated at the gate leading to the beginning of the walk Alison spotted  a mosaic by a local artist marking the starting point. At the beginning we crossed fields and meadowland which was very pleasant.  About a mile further the walking started to get very tough in places as the path was narrow and uneven because of the cracks in the ground due to the lack of rain. However Alison and Gai enjoyed picking the blackberries along the way and inspected an observation hide on the side of the track, where the river was one side and a small stretch of water on ...

 Blog No 25, Bablock Hythe to Newbridge, Wed 20th August '25   3 1/2 miles I decided to complete this stretch walking later afternoon instead of a morning, hoping that friends and neighbours from my village would be able to join me at a more convenient time as the route was close by.  Well, what a surprise. On my arrival at Bablock Hythe a group of friends and neighbours were waiting for me. Some to see me off and others to enjoy the walk. My friend and publicity manager Alison had organised a fun send off with balloons, waving, clapping and cheering us walkers along the way. Setting off When I got over the surprise and we started walking, the group numbered 6 of us plus Trevor the dog,  It was still quite warm at that time of day, but pleasant enough to walk. We tended to spread out and walk in pairs which kept changing as we came to gates and narrow paths before stretching into the fields just below the village. A mile down the path, we came to Northmoor Lock ...

Blog 24 Swinford Toll Bridge to Bablock Hythe Tuesday 19th August '25. Another good walking day, cloudy with a breeze. I set off just after 10am at the Tollbridge. I had contacted Peter and Leigh who live close by along the stretch of river I was going to walk today with the hope of meeting them along the route, although not quite sure where this would be. I spotted them up on Pink Hill Lock not more than a mile from my starting point. They were waiting along the tow path, talking to holiday makers in a very nice narrowboat hired for two weeks. This next photo shows the boat person collecting water, but I did not take a picture of my friends.  The path after the lock took me away from the river, it was good walking on a wide path across the fields most of which were full of sheep.  I think I have written before about the difference walking on my own. This path was a good path with few hazards and so I was able to think about the reasons why I was walking. Elizabeth was always ...

 Blog No 23.  The Trout at Wolvercote to Swinford Toll  Bridge approximately 3 1/2 miles Monday 18th August '25. Hooray another cloudy and cool day. This was a short walk as my intention is to break the suggested Thames walk to be from Osney Bridge to Newbridge a distance of 13 1/2 miles. This walk is the second stretch, the third being to Bablocke Hythe with the final section from Bablocke Hythe to Newbridge. completing the 13 1/2  mile stretch.  The picture is of the boats moored closed to the Bridge at Godstow. I set off at the bridge at Godstow and found a very comfortable wide path, following the Thames to my right and mainly meadowland to my left. This continued right the way to Kings Lock. I met not a soul on this path, but reaching Kings Lock a group of 4 Asian men carrying their fishing gear and seats appeared out of nowhere. They walked on ahead to choose their spot for their day of fishing. The field beside the lock was full of cows with their young. ...

 Blog No 20, Sandford on Thames to Abingdon 5 1/2 miles. 14th August 25. I walked this stretch backwards as I was meeting friends in Abingdon at lunchtime. I began walking from Sandford lock at around 10.15  and reached Abingdon at 12.30 in Waitrose to be exact. The  path began wide but covered on both sides with Japanese Knotweed. I walked on and then through gates leading to the first meadow which wound along the river bank. It was quite cloudy and so good walking conditions. The meadowland continued for I would think at least a couple of miles. only a few narrow paths. I could see the building of the Radley College Boat house some way before reaching it.  Looking at it on the map I estimated it to be closer to Sandford. By this time I was ready for a drink and also a loo. I looked around the boat house building to see if I could spot a convenience. A man appeared from behind his gate and directed me to the loo situated at the back of the building. It was one of th...

 Blog No 21, Sandford to Osney Bridge. Saturday 16th August '25. 5 1/2 miles. Hooray, today it was cloudy and cool , a fine day to walk. I set off over to the path and through the gate to the first meadow which continued for quite a way before leading through a gate and onto a path sheltered by trees on both sides. On this walk for the entire stretch there were people about and so less lonely and I think less time for introspection. I think walking on my own with my own thoughts is so different when walking with friends or indeed  my son. The conversations were wide ranging and often fun as well as exploring issues affecting ourselves or our families. Talking about world events and the awful situation in Gaza and Ukraine, thinking it is unbelievable that these conflicts can be justified. I have not had one conversation where an alternative point of view has been suggested on these two conflicts. Today is a sad day, as my beloved goose Godfrey was put to sleep very peacefully. ...

 Blog 22, Osney Bridge to The Trout at Wolvercote. Sunday 17th of August'25. A sunny day, not a cloud in the sky but at least an intermittent breeze. I was not looking forward to this stretch mainly because I thought the weather conditions were not ideal.  At Osney Bridge with all the diversion signs I could not find my way to the river. I asked several people who told me there was no access through the Botley Bowls Club and no access through the allotments. By this time I had walked up and down for about 20 minutes. I decided to walk through the pedestrian diversion route past Oxford Railway Station, to reach Hythe Bridge. My thinking was to head for Walton Street and down to Port Meadow. Whilst it was not the Thames Path it brought back memories. I walked past my old college, down to the University Press, past the Jericho Tavern where Elizabeth and I were invited to gigs. Primal Scream played there in their early days just before the Clash and punk groups, I remember it bein...

 Blog 19, Clifton Hamden Bridge to Abingdon, Sunday 10th August Another lovely walk with Richard and Jackie, approximately 6 1/2 miles across meadows and tree lined paths on a rather hot day. We took our time and stopped for an ice cream at Clivedon Lock, before setting off for Culham Lock. Richard was taking the photographs, so no odd hands and arms appearing out of nowhere.  The first picture is of Clifton Hamden Bridge, Richard insisted that Jackie and I appeared in the photo.   Our walk to Clivedon Lock was quite short from our starting point but nevertheless the ice cream was much appreciated. The lock proved to be quite busy, lots of boaters out enjoying the Sunday sun. On we went across meadows offering very little shade. As the path was narrow we were walking single file, so no chatting. I found myself out front setting the pace, not a position I really like, but was reassured with Richard and Jackie saying the pace was fine. Richard estimated we had about 2 1/2 m...