At Newbridge

Andy was there to meet us at Newbridge.  We were tired, with wet feet but glad that we had completed this leg which is the longest one we have done at 14 miles.

We mostly enjoyed this walk although the weather was against us at times.  Around Oxford the walk was lovely and practically the whole walk has a very rural feel.  As usual the bit we weren't so keen on was the bit when we had to leave the river and this was made worse today by not being able to find our way.

Redundant Stile

As you can see from the path is isn't really necessary to go over the stile.

Faffing

Feeling much better after a cup of coffee, a packet of crisps and 2 chocolates and it isn't raining.  Angela just needs to get a few things sorted before we set off on the last lap which should take us about an hour.  Doesn't the river look lovely!

Elusive Pub

We had a few problems before we finally made it to the Ferryman in Bablock Hythe.

We met a couple coming the other way just as we had to leave the river briefly at Pinkhill.  They told us they had found it difficult to find the way after Pinkhill Lock as the path was not next to the river but through fields and it was raining when they went through.  Well what do you know when we reached the tricky bit it was raining too so our book with the directions was wet, we couldn't understand them, the signs were vague or non-existent and our feet were getting wet from walking through fields with long grass.  We came to the back of a caravan park (the one you can see in the distance on the photo) and we knew the pub was near a caravan park but we couldn't find a way through.

We finally came to a field with horses in and we could see a road on the other side so we braved the horses and as we came out of the field we met one of the stable-workers.  She told us the way - back through the field we had come through!  Catherine asked if the horses would give us any trouble and she said she didn't know about the chestnut one as  it had only arrived today.  Back we went through the field trying to avoid the chestnut horse which of course decided to follow us.  We were gald to get out and shut the gate.  Finally we saw the pub and as it was about 2.30 and the pub didn't close, according to our book until 3, we went in to get a sandwich or something only to find that they had stopped serving food at 2!  

Well this is definitely a challenge! 

What's wrong with the water?

One of these geese hissed at us as we went past but these really were the least threatening-looking animals we encountered today.

Weather Problems

We reached Eynsham Lock and were glad to take off our waterproofs.  We sat down to have a banana and heard some thunder so we set off pretty quickly.  Brendan phoned from Oxford and said he was in the middle of a thunder storm.  We looked up and saw this not very promising sky.  We quickened our pace and crossed our fingers that the cloud was going in another direction.

Hazards!

Things were not going well by now.  It had rained on us so we had to don waterproofs but it was also hot so the waterproofs were proving uncomfortable and then we came across this!

King's Lock

This is King's Lock the most northerly point of the Thames.  We met a couple here out for a picnic who seemed surprised that we were walking to Newbridge.  I thought that we looked like quite professional walkers in our boots and all.

Road to Nowhere

We were a little confused by this stile as the river is just beyond the reeds there!

Port Meadow

Here is the aforementioned Port Meadow which our man had informed us was the largest meadow in Europe.  Our book told us it is 342 acres and was given to Oxford by William the Conqueror as common land and has never been ploughed or built on.  Also around here is Binsey Ford which was probably the original ford in Ox-ford.  That's enough information for you.  What we were most concerned about was where were all the animals going?  They were all going in the same direction apart from the horses who just stood in the river.  Given our nervousness around large animals we were glad they were all on the other bank. 

Osney Bridge, Oxford

There was a little confusion about which direction we should be heading in so we asked a man if this was the right way for Eynsham Lock.  He looked shocked and told us it was a very long way and were we sure we weren't going to Port Meadow (not very far into the walk).  We obviously didn't look capable of walking far so we didn't like to mention that we were actually going to Newbridge.  He then went on to tell us lots of interesting facts and we were a bit worried that by the time he finished talking we wouldn't set off until lunch time!