We did say that the newsletter might be a little late throughout this month. And you can always rely on us. So, here it is… a little late. But at least everybody’s bags were delivered on time this week!
We have really been blessed with a dry summer which has so far continued into September. So far so good. Although some rain is forecast for the end of the week, it is unlikely to cause any problems as the Path is bone dry throughout.
Work has been completed on the stretch of Path between Radley and Abingdon where boardwalks have been installed (see photo below)
Quite a few events to report:
Throughout September, Eel Pie Island, accessible by footbridge from the left bank near Twickenham, is hosting illustrated walks every Thursday and Sunday at 11am and 2pm. For the uninitiated, Eel Pie Island can be remembered as a 60’s gig for emerging rock bands having hosted Black Sabbath, Hawkwind and Genesis. By 1970 it had become the UK’s largest hippie commune. Eel Pie Studios was once owned by Pete Townshend of The Who.
We’ve had the Regatta. And Rewind. And the Traditional Boat Festival. Next up is Henley Festival, starting September 15. Described as Glastonbury with bow ties, it features Madness, James Blunt, Sophie Ellis-Bextor, Sara Cox, Disco Classical with Kathy Sledge and Don’t Stop Me Now. All on the floating stage used at the Regatta. Be warned: accommodation that week is extremely limited
On Saturday September 11, Wallingford is hosting an Agatha Christie Day to celebrate the author’s links with the town. There will be guided walks and a vintage tea. Further details at Wallingford Museum
On September 18, House Director & historian Ricky Pound will discuss J.M.W. Turner’s villa in Twickenham. This will be a virtual event at 3pm on zoom. See here for tickets
Also on Saturday September 18, there will be a duck race at Walton, organised by the Sea Scouts. Proceeds go to charity
As reported previously:
Tate Britain are hosting an exhibition on Turner entitled Turner’s Modern World. The exhibition is on until September 12. The Tate can be found on the left bank as you walk from Chelsea to Westminster.
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.
Marble Hill, near Twickenham, are hosting Arts in the Park, a series of free live performances every Sunday afternoon until September 19.
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
There are clearly a number of favourite establishments amongst Thames Path walkers. In the upper sections these are driven by availability: Thames Head Inn; the three Cricklade inns; the three Lechlade inns plus Vera’s Kitchen; the Plough at Kelmscott; the Trout at Tadpole Bridge; the Rose Revived at Newbridge; and the Ferryman at Bablock Hythe. From Oxford and beyond, there is a lot more variety and frequency of visits diminishes. But we want to call out one establishment that is not in the “most frequented list” – perhaps because it’s not well known: Manor Farm at Kelmscott.
This working farm offers great value bed and breakfast. Meals can be taken from the Plough, which is just a stone’s throw. We have placed a number of people here and all have nothing but good things to say. Emma, your host, certainly knows how to look out for you.
Nature
We previously reported about the Thames Catchment Community Eels Project, whereby tributaries to the Thames are surveyed by volunteers. This is to address the catastrophic decline in the Eel population of the Thames. After all, Eel Pie Island (featured above) is named for a reason! The volunteers have so far discovered more than 30 previously unrecorded obstacles to eel migration.Did you know that the spawning ground for eels is the Sargasso Sea in the North Atlantic?
And finally…
Like us, you may have seen the occasional wing walker set off from the Chiltern Airfield (in the distance to your left as you walk downstream towards Goring and Streatley). Well, 74 year old Tony Lawton from Caversham took off from Rendcomb Airfield, near Cirencester, raising money for Reading Association for the Blind. Now, get this. He’s deaf and blind! See here for the full story.
That’s all folks. Mind how you go!
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