We’re well and truly into the busy season which goes some way to explaining why a full ten days have elapsed since the last newsletter.
Up to the end of June we’ve delivered over 500 bags, 98.2% of them being delivered before our cut-off of 4pm. During that time we’ve picked up all sorts that were left behind at the previous accommodation including glasses, slippers, a phone charger, and a laundry bag. We’ve even run someone to a doctor’s appointment. All part of the service.
This year we’ve had guests from all over the world including Australia, New Zealand, the USA and South Africa. What a difference a year makes.
This week on social media we’ve been taking a look at some of the testimonials we’ve received so far, both for bag transfers and for our packages which have come in the form of emails, texts and even cards. . Here are two.
“Just a note of thanks to you for our trip last week , it all went off like clockwork thanks to Walk The Thames. We were very happy with all the accommodation and all the staff we encountered were friendly and helpful, also thank you for the route updates during our walk.”
“Thank you for the efficient and worry free service. It was a pleasure to work with you and your company. We hope to see you again when we do the next segment of the Thames Path soon!”
We’d like to say a big thank you to all our customers.
Route News
We’ve had mixed weather: sometimes cool, sometimes humid, some rain – but not prolonged. Just typically English weather!
There are still a number of diversions in place. Starting from the source:
The renovation to the Rose Revived in Newbridge is complete (see below) and access to the path has been restored.
Between Eynsham and King’s Lock another fish pass is being built resulting in a small diversion. Now here’s a question: if the fish pass at Mapledurham doesn’t work (which is what we’ve been told by the Environment Agency), wouldn’t it make sense to fix that before building further fish passes upstream?
At Goring, diversions are in place immediately downstream of the bridge. It’s well signposted. Go up the High Street, right on Manor Road (opposite Miller of Mansfield), right on Ferry Lane at the Turkish barbers (not quite so well signposted!) which takes you back to the river;
We are pleased to report that the diversion around the closed boardwalk downstream from Marsh Lock, Henley is well and truly in place and is well signposted.
There’s a small diversion in place from Graburn Way alongside East Molesey Cricket Ground to Sadlers Rise at Hurst Park for two weeks while the council repairs the surface.
Finally, there’s a diversion in Greenwich which we haven’t seen yet. Short in length (about 200 metres) but long in time (until October). Diversions are in place using roads. The diversions are required as work is undertaken on flood defences.
We were caught up momentarily in the Womens’ Tour, Britain’s leading international women’s cycle race, as it passed through Clifton Hampden on the final day. It was won by Elisa Longo Borghini from Italy.
If anyone was walking in London over the weekend they may have seen the Tudor Pull, a ceremonial event for Thames Watermen’s Cutters. The cutters escort the Thames Royal ‘Jubilant’ rowed by members of the Company of Watermen and Lightermen, from Hampton Court Palace to the Tower of London to deliver a ‘Stela’ (a piece of wooden water pipe in a special glass case) to the Governor of the Tower for safekeeping.
The stage is being built for Henley Festival which kicks off on July 10. The festival will kick off with Katherine Jenkins and Jack Savoretti.
Buckingham Palace will open on July 22 and will feature a display looking at The Queen’s Accession to the throne in February 1952. On display will be the Diamond Diadem, which was created for the famously extravagant coronation of George IV in 1821. Her Coronation Dress is on display at Windsor Castle
Reminders:
A series of courses is being offered by North Meadow, Cricklade:
Damesfly Identifcation 25 June
To register, please 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.
Henley is hosting the Traditional Boat Festival on 15-17 July, an opportunity for enthusiasts to display older, traditionally built craft.
Marble Hill in Twickenham has finally re-opened. See here for more details.
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.
Planes, Trains and Automobiles
Readers will no doubt be aware of the significant disruption to flights in and out of the UK as the airlines struggle to cope with the tickets they have sold. So far, none of our walkers have been affected by this and we hope it remains that way.
Something that has impacted our walkers is a nation-wide rail strike planned for June 21, 23 and 25. The London Underground will also shut on June 21.
On a happier note we have added a new vehicle to our fleet: a Citroen Berlingo. Handy for bags and very economical. It won’t be branded until June 20 so you may struggle to see us.
Accommodation News
As mentioned above, the Rose Revived in Newbridge re-opened this week following a month’s worth of renovations. Not much seems to have changed although we understand there were some plumbing and electrical works. During the closure, a number of walkers found themselves literally “in the doghouse” , being the name of the nearest Greene King hotel, a £25 taxi ride away.
One of the advantages of doing “bag transfers only” is that walkers discover hotels that we’re not aware of. And here’s one: the Griffin Belle, a traditional community pub with rooms set in the heart of Vauxhall and just 400 metres from the river. Here’s what our walkers had to say: “Quirky but good. The rooms are all up flights of stairs but that’s the only drawback. Landlord gave us a free drink and we had great food.” Good value accommodation that is independent is so hard to find in London.
Another hotel that was a first for us was the Dog and Badger at Medmenham. This lies on the wrong side of the river between Henley and Marlow but can be accessed by crossing at Hambledon and rejoining the Path at Temple. “..superb, good food, great service and an enormous delightful room. The staff were extremely helpful and full of information.”
That’s all folks. Mind how you go!
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