Well, this has definitely been the longest we’ve been without issuing a newsletter. But we do have a couple of excuses:
Firstly, September is and was our busiest month. Including a mammoth day event (see later), we’ve supported almost 500 walking days this month – our busiest on record. Despite this, our year-to-date delivery performance stands at 99.1% with just 15 out of 1,685 bags being delivered after 4pm.
Secondly, but far more significantly, we mourned the passing of our late Queen Elizabeth II. People far more qualified and eloquent have already paid tribute to her so there is little more we can add. Only to say, on a highly personal note, that we felt a huge loss.
By the way, the queue to visit the lying in state was on the Thames Path from Lambeth Bridge down to Southwark!
Route News
The Path remains dry. Although the weather has become distinctly autumnal, the river remains dry until somewhere between Ashton Keynes and Cricklade. The hosepipe ban imposed by Thames Water remains in force until at least the New Year.
New diversions: There will be a small diversion in October as the footbridge to the rear of St Leonard’s Church in Wallingford is replaced
There are a number of diversions currently in place:
Diversions remain in place around the closed boardwalk upstream from Marsh Lock, Henley. If walking downstream, there seems to be a sign missing: if you get to the fenced off boardwalk leading to Marsh Lock then you’ve missed the turn. There is a path leading to your left about 20 yards before the boardwalk. See picture below.
The Path through Runnymede is currently being resurfaced. Whilst works are being undertaken walkers are pushed away from the river and closer to the road. It starts opposite the National Trust teashop and ends at the pleasure gardens. The works will be in place until the end of October.
Approaching Barnes Bridge, the right bank towpath will be closed until early October whilst work on strengthening flood defences takes place. A diversion is in place along Mortlake High Street between Jubilee Gardens and the White Hart.
Finally, there’s a diversion in Greenwich. 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 have some big news to announce: we have agreed with Thames Path National Trail that we will fund them with £1.50 for every passport sold.
We will backdate this to include any passports previously sold.
And, since we include the passport for free with every package sold, each passport given away will also result in the same contribution to the Thames Path National Trail.
Don’t forget that the Thames Path National Trail organise the volunteers to help maintain the Path. Although volunteers, equipment is not free!
We’ve had a number of people who have taken us up on our free “retrospective stamping service” whereby we stamp when you couldn’t. Don’t be shy to ask us to stamp your passport.
Also remember that we offer a free certificate to anyone who has a completed passport (whether or not stamped by us). We’re just finalising our certificate so stay with us on that.
Visit our passport page to learn more.
There’s a definite change of season, especially in the air as some birds decide to head south to sunnier climates whilst others arrive from the north. Amongst this movement, one rather special bird was captured by GG Wildlife Experiences in Goring. This was an Osprey, ready to start its journey south to the Gambia for the winter. It’s believed to be the first recording of a sighting in the Goring Gap area.
Watch out also for mushrooms which are starting to appear.
The Henley Literary Festival is fast approaching. This will be held from October 1 to 9. Speakers include Floella Benjamin, Mel C, Julian Clary, Mary Berry and David Dimbleby. Talks take place at various places around town.
Reminders:
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.
Dorchester Abbey has announced their autumn series of concerts. These include Peter and the Wolf by Prokofiev, Dvorak’s New World Symphony and Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto.
An exhibition of Cezannes’ works will be held at the Tate Modern this October. The Thames Path passes directly in front of this free art gallery. Note special exhibitions usually require a fee.
The London Luminaries lecture series will be held this autumn. This will feature lectures about Hogarth’s House, Ham House, Orleans House, Garrick’s Temple, Marble Hill, Turner’s House, Pope’s Grotto, Fulham Palace, Chiswick House and a few more.
Hospitality News
This is a bit of a catch-up:
Vera’s Kitchen has now closed. The new owners of the building have turned it into a Brasserie and Cocktail Bar specialising in fish. Well, Lechlade is officially a port – although the route to the sea via the canal dried up many years ago!
The George Hotel in Dorchester has re-opened. It will take some effort to beat the White Hart which has received fantastic reviews from our walkers.
Great Expectations in Reading is currently under refurbishment. Having looked inside it will retain some of its quirkiness but, at the same time, will be more modern.
Staying in Reading, Bel & the Dragon has now stopped serving breakfast. Whatever shall we do?
The Crown at Cookham is taking room bookings all week. But beware. The pub is only open Wednesday to Sunday
We delivered out first ever bags to Monkey Island, between Maidenhead and Windsor. This is a rather sumptuous hotel located, rather inconveniently, on an island near Bray: access is limited to a footbridge from the wrong side of the river! You can still reach it but it’s a bit of a walk around. It is believed that Elgar wrote his famous Cello Concerto whilst staying here
And finally…
We helped around 50 employees of Landsec/Aspire with their annual fundraising event. They were walking in aid of the Caxton Youth Organisation. They wanted to walk a marathon distance along the Thames Path so we devised a route from Reading to Maidenhead (normally 24.9 miles) and adding a section to a local park near Maidenhead station to bring it up to marathon distance.
That’s all folks. Mind how you go!
Ready to book?
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