This week the government announced that residents of the EU, the US and Switzerland who have been double vaccinated will be allowed into the UK without the need to quarantine on arrival. This is most welcome as it paves the way for the first of our overseas friends to follow the Thames Path. It came in the nick of time for one couple from the US who, just two days earlier, had decided to postpone their trip. We hope other countries will be able to follow suit. We know, for instance, that there are Canadians anxiously waiting.
Also, just advanced notice that we are very busy in September and may not be able to handle bookings at short notice, particularly bag transfers. So, please, if you don’t want to be disappointed, book early!
Despite the change in weather and the occasional heavy downpour, the Path appears is firm and dry.
As reported last week, this is advanced notice that work will be performed in October on the dreaded muddy section above Abingdon when boardwalks will be placed. There will be no diversions.
The fish pass at Mapledurham Lock is starting to take shape. The pass will connect the river to a small stream upstream of the lock, the stream flowing into the river just below the lock. We’re not quite sure whether the meadow will ever see cows again!
A section of the Path at Lower Shiplake has been resurfaced thanks to Oxfordshire County Council.
There are works underway at Victoria Bridge as you approach Datchet from Windsor. There are no diversion signs but you must go round a perimeter fence. The motto here is “Persevere”
A decision has been made to build a holocaust memorial in Victoria Gardens, a stretch of greenery on the left bank of the Thames immediately before the Houses of Parliament. Despite the noble cause, it is a move that has enraged a number of people who wish to preserve the green space. We do not wish to engage in the debate. We simply bring it to your attention.
The Cotswold Show will be held on the 14th and 15th of August in the grounds of Cirencester Park. If starting the trail at the source, why not come a day early and catch this event? Summer would just not be the same without a country show!
As reported previously:
There will be a one day course on Moths and Butterfles in Cricklade on September 11. The program includes a walk through North Meadow. More details here.
Guided walking tours of Reading Abbey are being held every Saturday at 11am. Booking details are here
Southwark Cathedral have put on an exhibition about mudlarking. The exhibition is on display until October 30.
For a list of scheduled events and festivals, see our events page.
Hospitality
Accommodation close to the source of the Thames can sometimes be a problem as the lovely Thames Head Inn only has five rooms. So here are a couple of alternatives we visited this week should you be stuck: The Kings Head at Cirencester sits close to the Cathedral; and Pettifer’s Hotel in Crudwell is just 4 miles south-west of Kemble.
Despite the relaxation of social distancing regulations almost 2 weeks ago, we are still experiencing problems with hotels not holding bags. Cosenors House in Abingdon will not hold bags until August 16. And this week we had our first visit to the Catherine Wheel at Henley, a Wetherspoons pub/hotel, which also will not hold bags. If you wish to use our baggage service, please check with the hotel first.
Premier Inn have changed their check-in times form 2pm to 4pm.
Arts, History and Architecture
If stopping in Windsor during your walk, you might want to catch Hamlet which is showing until September 25 at the Theatre Royal. Hamlet is played by none other than Sir Ian McKellan. The Theatre Royal often hosts productions that subsequently move on to the West End.
The William Morris Society, which operates from part of Morris’s former home in Hammersmith, is temporarily closed due to flood damage. The society was founded in 1955 to “share knowledge of the life and works of William Morris amongst our members and the wider public”. Morris was an artist, designer. craftsman, writer and socialist and died in 1896. The home is named Kelmscott House, after his country retreat near Lechlade which is currently undergoing repair works.
And finally….
The star of the 2020 Olympics (held this year) has undoubtedly been swimmer Tom Dean who is coming home to Maidenhead, (on the Thames of course) with two gold medals in swimming: a remarkable achievement.
Mind how you go!
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