The sun has been shining all week and walkers have been truly blessed.
We are now in May. And May has been designated as “No Mow May”. So, give your lawnmower a rest (or get it serviced now!) and give the pollinators a break. We’re doing it for the first time. We’ll report back at the end of the month.
In the meantime, we have been super busy. Check out our pick-up at the Trout at Tadpole Bridge.
Route News
The big news is that the boardwalk downstream to Marsh Lock has been closed due to safety concerns. This could be for a long time! Diversions are not straightforward because the obvious parallel route to the river is the pavement-less A4155. Probably more dangerous than any boardwalk collapse!
The suggested diversion is to take the Chiltern Way from Bolney Court, cross the A4155, and then Woodlands Road to Harpsden. It’s a long way round. Shakespeare once wrote “Discretion is the better part of valour” (Henry IV, Part I): so consider the train service from Shiplake to Henley. After all, it’s not your fault!
If you are passing Godstow you will notice works in progress: this is the latest fish pass to be built.
In Richmond, the “dog off lead” rule in Richmond and Bushy Parks during the deer-birthing season is well underway with the first dog owner charged. The rule remains in place until July 31.
And staying in Richmond, there have been tragic scenes of deer eating rubbish from overflowing bins. Please: if the bin is full, take it home with you.
Nature
Lots happening now. Check out the orchids at Hartslock, just off the Thames Path between Goring and Pangbourne. And cowslips can be seen in Chimney Meadows,
And now is the season for wisteria. Take a look at the house below which is in Ashton Keynes. The stream in the bottom of the picture is the infant Thames!
The Cookham Festival is in progress. There are several “Stanley”events including a walk with John, his grandson.
Marble Hill in Twickenham will re-open on May 21 with a free weekend. See here for more details.
It’s not long until the start of the Chelsea Flower Show which starts May 24.
Reminders:
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.
The Boomtown Rats will be appearing at the Lechlade Music Festival from May 27-29.
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.
Pope’s Grotto Trust at Teddington is hosting an open day on June 26 and 27. Tickets available here. The grotto was created by the celebrated poet, Alexander Pope and now sits below Radnor House.
Tate Modern has launched an exhibition entitled Surrealism beyond Borders and runs until August 29. It includes works by Magritte and Dali.
On May 22, there will be a guided walk by tree expert, Paul Wood, entitled The Legacy of Ada Salter in Bermondsey. The walk is part of the Salter Centenary Celebrations. Click here to register.
The Rose Revived is now closed for a month. Their last guests were with us. Good luck with their renovations.
We had rave reviews of Great Expectations in Reading. This inn is not to everyone’s taste. It’s in the centre of Reading which is not always the most hospitable of places along the Thames Path. But step inside and you’ll be transported into a different (Dickensian) world.
The Richmond Hill Hotel (Gold on our planner) has been awarded Large Hotel of the Year by the British South Tourism Awards. Set high up on Richmond Hill it offers a classy experience for those on the higher end of the budget spectrum.
The first purchasers of the passport are starting to generate excitement. This week we heard that there are a number of establishments upset by not being included. Hardly for lack of trying on our part.
Anyway, here is a picture, we are told, of the first stamp at the Thames Head Inn.
Click here to purchase your passport.
And finally, there’s been a few suspicious characters in Dorchester during the festival
That’s all folks. See you on the trail!
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