Blog No 32. Walk from Somerford Keynes to Kemble, with Elaine five miles.

This is the last stretch of the Thames Path to walk before reaching the Source one and a half miles close to Kemble. The weather was sunny and breeze, excellent walking weather. I explained to Elaine that the Thames Path was actually some distance from Somerford Keynes and that I had not been able to thread my way through the Cotswold Water Park with any confidence. We agreed that our best plan was to do another backwards stretch, to go from Kemble to Somerford, where hopefully the directions would be clearer. 

We parked my car up a side road close to where we had seen a sign pointing to the Thames Path. We asked a resident if this was the path that would take us to Somerford and was given sound but complicated directions. We began to follow the Path and fortunately met a dog walker who directed us to cross the road and head in the opposite direction. This was the first of many redirections we encountered. Our phone maps were also more confusing than helpful. 

Sun and shade the view across from our first path.

We walked along the road through the village of Ewen and as we found the sign to the path we met a young couple carrying their tents who had walked from London and it had taken them nine days. We should have asked them about the route but thought we were OK. However we walked on over a bridge still on a road before deciding that this was the wrong way. We retraced our steps and met a man in his front garden who pointed to a gap the other side of the road. If the sign had been visible from the road we would have seen it, as it was it was hidden from view off the track. 

Along this path we were walking beside the Thames which was a completely dry river bed.

As we walked on in the sunshine crossing fields and meadows we came upon this sunlit path which was a pleasure to walk. Elaine spotted Fungi on the side hidden in the undergrowth.

Capturing these moments made up for all the extra walking we were managing to do on this stretch. The signing was certainly no better. A walker on a previous day had warned me that the signing became steadily worse the nearer to reaching the Source. This was certainly true.

As we walked on across more fields with sheep, cows and horses for company, crossing a bridge fairly close to Somerford we came across a shallow inlet with water. This was the first water we had seen since the beginning of our walk. 

Walking across more fields finally onto a road, I spotted a driver about to turn onto the road and asked him the way to Somerford. He directed us to the 'quick' route across the fields and advised to keep the church in view confirming that we would then have reached our destination. 

We retraced our steps and crossed another field with livestock of every description and whilst we saw houses and the church we still had to enter another field and cross a bridge,. At this point we could see houses across several fields, but had difficulty working out how to get there as 'maps' was indicating we should walk in the opposite direction. We spotted a house across the field with a fence and headed for it. When we got there although there was a gate it was across a gully which was not visible until we reached it. We walked along further and found a gate which appeared to lead into someone's garden, By this time we were tired and frustrated and so we walked along the side where we spotted a path leading to a drive way by the church. 

At last we headed for the Bakers Arms. We were relieved to find civilization, a drink and something to eat. I had long forgotten to take any more photos as we were concentrating on finding our way. 

We chatted about the walk and the fact that I only a very short distance to reach the Source and therefore achieve my goal. We agreed that we were compatible walking companions and wished to continue. Elaine, a much more experienced walker than me knew of the Cotswold Way and the Oxfordshire way and so we decided that we would continue the challenge of walking known pathways and walking routes. 

On my way home I began thinking of another walk for Colon Cancer as my son in law died two years and eight months before Elizabeth. His passing was traumatic and terribly sad, little did we know of what was ahead.

Thank you for reading my Blog only one more to go. I am walking with friends on Sunday to the Source of the Thames. The forecast is not great, advising 75% rain, but we shall see. I have been lucky so far. Following the walk a bit of a celebration at the Thames Head. All welcome.

Maureen