A very Happy Easter to you all. The sun has been out this weekend and the meadows are blooming. It’s perfect timing as our first walkers set off this weekend.
Thames Path Passport
This week we have been delivering stamps for the Thames Path Passport to the many venues up and down the river. The response has been very encouraging. “Why, it looks just like a passport!” they all say. Well, we did spend quite a bit of time creating a hologram effect on each of the pages which hopefully you can see on the photo below. The River & Rowing Museum at Henley liked it so much they have decided to stock it in their shop. One or two made reference to the Camino de Santiago which offers a passport service. In truth, that’s where the idea originated having cycled the latter stages from Leon to Santiago. The passport is available from our online shop
Route News
Our first walkers set off on Friday from the source and we made our customary pre-season inspection this week. Happy to report all clear, even the notorious field above North Meadow.
The Snake Head Fritillaries are out at North Meadow. And we have published a detour as to how to best see them. It does require a small diversion. Did you know that the footpath markers have been painted in the colour of the Ukrainian flag?
The Thames at Wolvercote/Port Meadow is to be given bathing status. It follows the River Wharfe in Ilkley. It means that the water company must raise the bar on its discharges.
The Brunel Museum (who have kindly offered to be one of our stamping stations) are raising money to fund the purchase of cabinets to display a series of images hand-drawn by Marc and Isambard Kingdom Brunel. They showcase the concept of the Thames Tunnel which was the first ever to be built under a navigable river. The tunnel, which lies between Rotherhithe and Wapping, now hosts a railway. They are trying to raise £18,500. More details here.
Here’s some news that you may be interested in. Ocean Diva, a party boat, (aka booze cruise) is applying to have a permanent mooring in central London. The boat would have capacity for 1,500 revellers on a ship the size of a football field. You may want to look at this link
The Boomtown Rats will be appearing at the Lechlade Music Festival from May 27-29. We thought at first it was just a tribute act but it looks like it’s the real thing, complete with Sir Bob. You saw it here first!
On the same weekend, Dorchester Abbey is offering something completely different: an English Music Festival in the classical tradition with works from Holst, Elgar, Vaughan Williams and more, performed by the BBC Concert Orchestra. More details available here.
The Perch (Binsey, Oxford) is hosting a Beer and Cider Festival on 30 April. This will include shire horses from Hook Norton Brewery.
A series of courses is being offered by North Meadow, Cricklade:
Bumblebee identification 14 May
Moths & Butterfiles 11-12 June
Damesfly Identifcation 25 June
To register, please click here.
Reminders:
Lower Windrush Valley Project is hosting a visit to Standlake Common Nature Reserve on April 21, a Site of Special Scientific Interest. The Reserve is found on the left bank of the Thames as the Thames Path approaches Newbridge on the right bank. To book a place, click here.
Kelmscott Manor, the former home of William Morris, has now re-opened. Opening times are Thursday to Saturday from 11am to 5pm. Last admission is 4pm. Pre-booking is advised.
The Ashmolean Museum in Oxford has a special exhibition dedicated to Pissarro (1830-1903), the father of impressionism. The exhibition opens on February 18 and runs until June 12.
The gardens at Hampton Court Palace are reopening after being closed for 2 years. A series of open weekends has been published as follows: May 7-8, September 10-11, and November 19-20. Also, the Hampton Court Flower Show will be held from July 4 to July 10.
Hospitality News
Back on duty affords us the opportunity to see what’s new. And we have a few things to report:
The White Hart at Cricklade have installed a nice outdoor seating area in their courtyard
The Rose Revived at Newbridge will be closed for the last 3 weeks of May due to refurbishment.. If you have a booking between May 9 to May 31 and haven’t been notified, then best call them. There are limited alternatives in the area but you might consider the Ferryman at Bablock Hythe and the Harcourt Arms at Stanton Harcourt. There are also shepherds huts available at the Red Lion at Northmoor.
Speaking of shepherds huts, we visited the Red Lion at Castle Eaton for the first time in a few years (another stamping station!). This place has really changed. It used to be rather quiet but is now vibrant and offers accommodation in a shepherds hut. Note, closed Monday-Tuesday.
The shop at Stanton Harcourt has closed. A sign reassured us that everything that was for sale is now available in the Harcourt Arms.
Finally the Plough Inn at Kelmscott is still unable to offer food in the evening on Sundays, Mondays and Tuesday’s.
The New Inn at Lechlade have revamped all their courtyard rooms during the winter
And finally…
Here’s something we never knew. Did you know that the weeping willow, probably the tree most synonymous with the Thames, is not native? It is said that it was introduced by Alexander Pope of all people: Pope’s legacy can be found up and down the Thames at Teddington, Mapledurham and Stanton Harcourt. Before we give him the credit, there are alternative theories, one of which is that it was Pope’s landlord who introduced them. Nevertheless, we’re back to Teddington.
The tree’s scientific name is Salix Babylonica, being named after the tree that was featured in Psalm 137: “By the rivers of Babylon, there we sat down, yea, we wept, when we remembered Zion. We hanged our harps upon the willows in the midst thereof.” (King James Version). However, the trees growing along the Euphrates River are actually poplars and you will find them referenced as such in later bible editions including the New International Version.
Here endeth the first lesson!
That’s all folks. Mind how you go,
Ready to book?
