Blog No 31, Cricklade to Ashton Keynes.  Sunday 7th September '25. 

I walked alone for this stretch. I meant to start at Somerford Keynes but as we drove through the area with the Cotswold lakes on either side of  the road, I realised that this was beyond my wit and wisdom to find my way keeping to the Thames Path, given my experience of lack of signage on other parts of the walk. Jen drove me to Cricklade and I was to meet her in the pub at Ashton Keynes. Later that afternoon we were going to drive to Kemble to find the Thames Head pub to plan the celebration the following Sunday hopefully when I complete the walk.

As I begun walking across the field to the Thames it began to rain. I thought a clearing up shower and was reluctant to stop and put on my rain gear. However, getting a bit wet, on went the jacket and the rain miraculously stopped.

The right path for a change.


 

I was fine going through the first meadow and the path directed me to go over a bridge which I dutifully followed only to find myself in a housing estate. 

First mistake.


I managed to find my way to a recreation area close to a disused railway line. The whole area had been transformed into a park with football fields. I followed a map which took me along a tarmac path for almost a mile up and over a bridge before I met a woman horse rider who explained I would need to go through ornamental pillars to the drive of a country estate but which had a public footpath to the left of it. 

Success.


Along this stretch it was quite warm and sunny, but as soon as I found the path that was to take me to the river again the heavens opened to a clap of thunder over my head. On and off with the rain gear yet again. The path was long and winding and eventually I found a left turn on the path taking me along the river again. It was not long before I was walking between the lakes of the Cotswold Country Waterpark.

Waterpark 


However the path was distinct and with the help of google maps I managed to stay on the right path leading to Ashton Keynes. It was a long way, I would estimate at least two and a half miles in total from the posh entrance to the private estate. However for most of the way the path was wide and even.

Good path easy going.


It took me longer than expected and Jen being worried began phoning me, with a rotten reception I was unable to explain exactly where I was but she seemed reassured anyway.

Eventually I found the outskirts of Ashton and asked directions to the Pub which of course was the opposite side of the village taking me another 15 minutes to reach it. 

After a sit down and a light lunch we went off in search of Kemble, the railway station and the Thames Head pub. We found all the places after turning the car around several times. The Thames Head pub seems a good venue for us as long as the weather holds as the landlady said that they would be fully booked inside. We spotted a wide covered area in the garden and so hoping that all will be well on the day. 

My walk was filled with thoughts of finishing the walk, mainly hoping not to get lost. Also knowing that I had almost reached my goal. I could not think past that thought to what I am going to do next.

The walk took me about three hours. Rain and shine all the way. 

My next walk will be Monday the  8th of September and Elaine will be with me as we walk the path from Somerford Keynes to Kemble

The donations received to date have now reached in excess of £4600

Thank you all for your generosity.

Maureen

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