As our first walkers since lock-down stepped out from the source, it provided us with an opportunity to visit this remote section of the Thames Path. Despite recent rains, the source is currently dry and the river does not rise until past Kemble, although this is not unusual for the summer. The photos below show contrasting views of summer and winter. The first is where the A429 crosses the river at Kemble, 1.3 miles from the source . Roughly the same spots but different angles due to summer foliage and winter water. The second pair shows Water Hay Car Park (8.1 miles from source) in different weathers.
Our route planner is almost fully up-to-date now with details of when hotels are re-opening. We’ll start updating pubs and restaurants this week.
We’ve also started sourcing new hotels. Two that we’re delighted to announce are the Lamb at Buckland and the Ship at Weybridge. Buckland lies a couple of miles south of Tadpole Bridge. We’ve struck a deal with Farringdon Cars to transport walkers from there to the Lamb and return them in the morning. And the Lamb is listed within our bronze package, making it an affordable alternative to the Trout.
Also listed as bronze is the Ship at Weybridge. This is a sister of the Warren Lodge and Anchor hotels in Shepperton, and lies in the heart of Weybridge Surrey, just a half-mile from the ferry that takes you across from Shepperton.
One venue that has been missed over the last few months is the Maybush at Newbridge. They closed last year and have just re-opened. Unfortunately they no longer offer accommodation in shepherds’ huts.
There was a grand re-opening this week of the Tower of London where the drawbridge was lowered in dramatic fashion. Well worth seeing on Twitter.
At this time of year our meadows are filled with thistles. Or are they teasels? They look (almost) the same and they sound the same. Are they different?
Well, yes. Thistles have spikes (bracts) below the flower that are shaped like a cup. Teasels have a few long bracts that stick out below the flower head.
Fine examples of teasels can be seen at Shillingford (72 miles from source) on land that the Earth Trust are managing; and also at Shiplake (100 miles from source).
In a previous newsletter we reported on a seal that had been spotted off Rotherhithe (mile 172), just downstream from Tower Bridge. Some wonderful photos of a seal catching eels appeared on twitter this week. Take a moment of your day to enjoy these.
Hollywood star Zac Efron has launched a documentary series on Netflix entitled Down to Earth. Visiting different parts of the world (episode 1 is in Iceland), in one episode he meets up with Thames21 to highlight London’s plastic waste crisis.
And staying on TV, BBC4 is showing a series with naturalist Helen McDonald entitled The Hidden Wilds of the Motorway. It explores “if there is a wild side to Britain’s busiest road”, meaning the M25 London orbital (or perimeter for Americans. The Thames Path passes under the M25 just after Runnymede (mile 132).
And finally, Selina, the enormous Tunnel Boring Machine, arrived in London this week to drill more of London’s supersewer. Fabulous pictures here.
The supersewer, also known as Tideway, is London’s attempt to rebuild its antiquated sewage system. Anyone walking the Thames Path in London will have seen the various construction sites. Click here to read more about the Tideway project.
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