Blog No 28, Kelmscot to Lechlade, 5 miles 25th of August, with Elaine.

Elaine and I set off with me following in my car which we were going to leave at Kelmscot. When we got to Lechlade and tried to park in the Riverside car park. It was then that I discovered I left my phone at home. It was needed to sign into the parking app advertised. Elaine did not have a parking app or a bank card.  No means of any other form of payment. We quickly left to avoid any charge and parked over the bridge in a car park accepting cards.  We then drove back to Kelmscot in my car to begin our walk. We got going about 10am with no pressure on our time.

It is truly quite amazing how vulnerable I felt because I did not have my phone. I have spent years without one, but now it is an expectation to rely on instant contact for any reason whatsoever. Being without it created an anxiety which I shrugged off as it was a lovely morning and we were going to enjoy our walk.

We began as I have now come to expect, over meadowland with the river to our left. The path which was quite smooth and flat at this stage and we made good progress for about a mile.  It was getting warm and there was little shade but occasional welcome gusts of wind. 

Elaine sneaked a photo of a wooden bridge where I was enjoying the breeze and we were watching paddle boarders. I think it was at this point we switched to the other side of the river. 

We continued on enjoying the views as we walked around the bends in the river. We saw lots of paddle boarders on this stretch of the river. They must have paddled from the Centre in Lechlade as they were heading downstream.

Just over halfway, we had been walking for about an hour and a half, we came to Buscot Lock and Weir. Lots of activity here, as there was an area designated for swimming and tea rooms in the village. Lots of people just sitting at picnic benches enjoying the sunshine on the Bank Holiday Monday. The loos were a bit of a hike and so we didn't bother.

Here we sat in the shade and watched people enjoying themselves. A couple of walkers came past us carrying their tents, obviously very hardened walkers not like us, wimps in our own beds at night. Elaine produced the most amazing flapjack and that with our drinks set us up for getting to Lechlade. 

The river was winding and pleasant with the path taking us around every nook and cranny. We could see trodden paths making short cuts across a farmer's field but with the fencing it did not look terribly inviting. Elaine took a photo of a swan who seemed interested in us. Elaine walked down to the water's edge and the swan kept swimming towards her. It clearly learned that two legged beings carried food.

We chatted a good part of the way sharing how we accommodate subtle changes in our lives. We remembered when people in conversation would say that they must get home because they do not drive in the dark. Now we are getting around to similar thoughts which will inevitably restrict our social lives. We noted bodily changes in stamina, tiring more easily and changes to our bedtime routines. 

Walking and chatting we found ourselves crossing parkland with houses on the other side of the river. Families were out pick-nicking on the river bank and children playing in the sun. 

At this point, much to our relief we could see Lechlade Bridge. the last half mile although passing through lovely scenery, it was getting hot with only an occasional breeze to cool us.

We completed our walk, it was approximately 5 miles. The tea rooms at the paddle board centre had run out of food,  so we contented ourselves with a drink and a sit down in comfortable chairs before making our way back to Kelmscot for me to pick up my car. I noted later that the temperature was 29c. 

I now have only 22 miles to walk before reaching the source of the Thames. 

My next walk will be Lechlade to Castle Eaton on Tuesday the 2nd of September. It looks to be around a six mile hike.

Thank you for reading my blog, please feel free to comment. 

Maureen