Blog No 30 the walk from Castle Eaton to Cricklade with Elaine, 4th September '25.

As you can see from the title of this blog Elaine and I decided to reverse the stretch and walk back to Cricklade starting in Castle Eaton. 

The reason for this is because the Thames Path was poorly signed walking from Lechlade to Castle Eaton and we were hoping that the directions would be clearer to follow in reverse order. 

This is the starting point, 


The first of many bridges. 


It was a beautiful day, not too warm but sunny with a cool breeze just right for showing off some beautiful English countryside. I appeared to be in charge of the photographs for this stretch, not a good idea.  

Starting off from Cricklade we quickly found the path close to the Thames and followed it for all of the walk. After about ten minutes into the walk across two fields, we stopped to take a photo of the swans and their one offspring. We were caught up by five men also out enjoying the morning air. We kept them in our sight as they appeared to know where they were going and following them we made short cuts across a couple of fields and through gates keeping more or less to the path. This did not last long as we lost them over the brow of a hill  as we were walking slower than them.

The Swams. 


We were not in a hurry and enjoyed crossing the numerous bridges crisscrossing backwards and forward over the river. We took pleasure in exploring the hedgerows full of blackberries, sloes and hawthorn berries providing food for the birds. Along stretches of shallow water there were thick rows of bullrushes. Autumn was definitely setting in as we rustled through fallen leaves. We noticed that on our walks across meadowland that not one mushroom was to be found and speculated the reason being the lack of moisture in the air with the ground baked solid. 

Following the path. 


We chatted as we walked. Elaine talking about her holiday in Devon with her grandchildren, commenting on her relief that her daughter was with them who took over some of the responsibilities in looking after the two girls, aged 9 and 5yrs. Elaine said it was an enjoyable time but exhausting. I talked about my grandchildren in the States who are doing well and turning into interesting young men. I then found myself talking about Elizabeth, not my usual topic of conversation, but with Elaine it felt comfortable.

I talked of the cruelty of Elizabeth's illness and how only a few weeks before her MND symptoms started her Consultant overseeing her MS informed her that the lesions causing her MS symptoms had healed. She was jubilant and looking forward to a disease free healthy life. Elaine understood and talked of her friend who also had the same type of MND. Elizabeth was told of her diagnosis in May '23 and died in May '24. She had so much to look forward to and things she wanted to do. 

We walked on enjoying our surroundings and stopped before a bush covered in sloes, turning it almost blue. Elaine insisted upon a photo. 


Some while back we had stopped for a drink and a chocolate brownie and so we were surprised by how soon we came across a sign telling us that Castle Eaton was only another mile and a half. Across another field following the path, Elaine spotted the bridge at Castle Eaton and we thought we were making our way towards it. No, the bridge was across another field with no access for us. We walked on through a gate leading to another field and thought there was a gate which would bring us to the road. Again we were misled, but soon found an opening a little further on which brought us into Mill Lane, close to the Red Lion pub where Elaine had parked her car. 

The walk had taken us a little less than three hours but the time had passed so quickly, chatting and enjoying our surroundings. A drive of 15 minutes or so and we were back in Cricklade for me to pick up my car and drive home.  We agreed that it had been our best walk so far.

Castle Eaton, 


On my drive home I was engulfed with feelings of despair and utter desolation. Feelings that I thought were behind me. I think it was talking about Elizabeth that triggered this episode. I knew how to push these feelings away is to think about what I am to do next, it could be peeling potatoes or cleaning out the chickens, whatever. I think also that the I comfort myself with thinking of the kindness of people, friends and neighbours who stopped and talked with me through the worst times, just ordinary things such as, how's the dog, or the weather, but feeling that people cared and knowing what was unsaid. Just the simple ordinary things that I do daily are comforting. How I wish Elizabeth was here to get on with her life and live as she wanted, to finish her projects and engage in her daily tasks. 

I am now looking forward to completing my Walk With Elizabeth, next week I will reach the source of the Thames. I have so many people to thank for their encouragement and support. I will need to start making my list.

Next walk is from Cricklade to Somerford Keynes. Sunday 7th of September '25.

Thank you for reading my blogs, comments are always welcome

Maureen

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