The Groves in the Cotswolds- 13-15th May 2009

Now that Mike and Pauline had left, the weather changed dramatically and we soon found the rain and grey skies that are quite familiar to the UK.

After a latish breakfast we decided to head off to Cirencester to look at the other Caravan Club site. It looked fine but much larger than the Burford site. From here we headed back along our walking route to Burford via the quiet country lanes and stopped at several villages which we did not see on our walk. As we were getting peckish we stopped for lunch at the pub where we had stopped on Monday and enjoyed yet another good lunch of sandwiches and in the rain we arrived in Lechlade. This is a nice little town with a large 'Christmas Shop' which sells decorations and all things for Christmas all year round.

With the knowledge that Roger and Sue may join us the next day for lunch we visited the local butcher who had some excellent homemade pasties and pies and so we decided to go for these instead of the usual ham.

It was still raining for the rest of the day and we had a quiet evening in the caravan just enjoying the peace and quiet apart from the few old RAF aeroplanes taking off from Brize Norton.

Thursday came around and the weather was acceptable, at least not raining, and so Rog and Sue arrived in the 'beast' (Rogers Porsche) and so a pleasant lunch followed with some wine and they left around mid afternoon, it was a lovely way to pass some time.

Another evening of TV and we watched the 'apprentice', what a bunch of losers these people are, one small group wanted to make Margate a major holiday destination for the 'gay' fraternity. Twits.

This was followed by the BBC 'Question time' programme which of course covered the current MP's expense claim row. To see the supercilious Mrs Margaret Becket sitting there and trying to explain away the fraud committed was unbelievable and very soon the audience were booing and jeering. This whole MP matter is not good for the UK and puts us level with an African banana state. Brown has obviously lost the plot and as for the Speaker of the House 'Gorbals Mick' we can only wait to see what financial tricks he has been up to. Please bear in mind it's his department that manages the MP's expenses and so it could be a case of if you claim what you like then perhaps then you won't attack me. Let's wait and see.

Friday morning arrived and we packed up the van and got ready to leave. We tried to time it to miss the traffic but we finally arrived back at Walton on Thames about mid afternoon after being stuck on the famous M25 as the junction with the M3 was partly closed.

Well it's been an enjoyable week in the Cotswolds and it's something we will no doubt do again.

The Thames Path walk - Day two 12th May 2009

We all slept soundly and we were pleased to hear that Mike and Pauline found the other bed most comfortable.

A light but good breakfast was had by all and we agreed that to walk another ten miles may be a little more than we can handle and so when looking at the Thames Path route map we decided that we could make a good four and half miles, perhaps five and so we agreed that we would take the cars to Cricklade and leave the other at the Red Lion Pub at Castle Eaton. So by ten o'clock in the morning we were well on our way from Cricklade from where we crossed a large field and started walking alongside a small river which was growing wider every mile or so. We met a number of people who were also doing the same walk as us but we think they must be fitter than us and we left them to proceed without us. We have been very lucky with the weather really as Monday was very bright and sunny all day but with quite strong winds whilst today the wind had dropped and it was a bit more pleasant to walk.

The Thames Path was much nearer the river this time and was visible most of the time which was unlike yesterday where we often lost sight of it on a regular basis.

Again we met some very nice cows and about three hours later we strode in to the Red Lion pub for a well deserved lunch. More sandwiches and chips please. This is also a very nice pub with great food and we finished about three in the afternoon and then we took one car back to Cricklade where Mike and Pauline bid us good bye as they headed back to the smoke of Weybridge.

We have now walked around sixteen to seventeen miles and we shall start planning again soon when we shall start the next bit from Castle Eaton to Lechlade and beyond.

This has been a great way to spend some days and we look forward to continuing the walk later in the year.

After Mike and Pauline left we headed back to the caravan for a well earned rest before an early dinner and an evening of TV and watched with great pleasure the MP's squirm as tales of their expenses are spread.

Note:- all our photos of this trip are on the following link

http://albums.phanfare.com/5194780/3915177#imageID=69046306

The River Thames Path walk - Day one 11th May 2009

We had decided that following an evening with friends who wished to start walking on the River Thames path from its source until we get to the end that this was something that the 'Groves' would also like to do. So during the past few weeks with our friends Mike and Pauline O'Sullivan, also from Wey Road, we have been planning this trip down to the nearest inch including where to stop for lunch etc.

The plan was that Noel and Jennifer would take their caravan to a suitable site where it would be convenient to start the walk and so the Caravan Club site at Burford was chosen and although there were nearer sites this was more suitable as it was quiet. It is however located right next door to the Cotswold Wildlife Park, but more of that later. Mike and Pauline were driving to Cricklade where we would meet and drop off one car and then head to the 'Thames Head' pub where we could park the other car and start walking. So we met around ten am as planned and then headed for the pub just outside Kemble and togged up with our walking stuff, rainwear, bottle of brandy and also four huskies and headed across the railway lines in search of the source of old Father Thames. Fifteen minutes later and dodging a few cow pats we found a large stone sign indicating the spot. However there was no water at this point and we had to head across the fields for about a mile before we found the first sign of water.

Photo:- The Thames source

We followed a reasonably signposted path through woods and along the Thames stream, over many little foot bridges and past open fields and passing nearby to a number of very nice riverside houses and also farms with also some excellent conversions. We even got friendly with some cows. After almost four hours walking we had completed about seven miles and were beginning to feel tired and looking forward to a sit down and lunch at the 'Horse and Jockey' pub near Derry Fields which is very close to Ashton Keynes. About three hundred yards from the pub was a welcoming sign saying that the pub was open all day and lunchtime food was available from twelve till two pm. Unfortunately it was now two fifteen pm. Nevertheless we visited the pub and the landlord was very flexible and agreed to provide sandwiches and a large bowl of chips. A couple of pints later and we were ready to tackle the next part of the journey which is about five miles back to Cricklade.

About twenty minutes later we lost the River Thames completely whilst going through the Cotswold Water Park which is a huge area of forty square miles with one hundred and forty lakes where you can do many water sports from fishing to sailing etc. There are also many new expensive waterside housing estates being built where you can park you boat outside your house. So we walked past the many lakes, mostly ex gravel pits, until we were able to find the next bit of the River Thames. At this point we decided to rename our tour to the more suitable name of 'Not quite the River Thames Path walk.' We continued walking past more old houses and through more fields of cows and sheep and stopped a couple of hours later for a rest.

By this time we were all getting a little tired and it was approaching six in the evening and Mike was convinced that the finish was just around the next corner, and if not that one then certainly the one after that. Finally we could see the towers of the church at Cricklade across a large field called North Meadow which is an ancient hay meadow near the village. It is 24.6 hectares in size. Over 250 species of higher plant occur in the meadow, but it is of particular note as it holds by far the largest British population of the Snake's-head Fritillary (Fritillaria meleagris). The 500,000 fritillaries which flower each year represent 80% of the British population.

The meadow was notified as a biological Site of Special Scientific Interest in 1971. Part of the site has been designated a National Nature Reserve.

Finally the end was in sight as we neared the edge of the field and then found we had to walk further round until we found a suitable exit. So four tired and hungry walkers jumped in to the car and headed off to collect the other car and head back to Burford where we arrived around seven thirty in the evening. Time to open the wine which Mike and Pauline had brought with them which went down very well with the very tasty Cottage Pie also provided by Pauline. By eleven o'clock we were all ready for bed and the caravan rocked to the sound of multiple snoring sounds. Noel awoke in the night to hear some strange animal sounds, Oh yes we were close to the wildlife park where they have many species. Psst' was that a leopard prowling around outside the caravan?? oops or perhaps too much wine.

We had covered over twelve and a half miles during the day, a record for most of us.

A day on the River Thames with Friends

A good early start to the day as we are meeting with friends John and Lyn Lake, who own a lovely boat on the River Thames, and also Roger and Sue Allen.

We started early with a John prepared Bacon butty and a cup of tea before leaving for the boat which is moored at Sunbury upon Thames. The boat is a very nice cabin cruiser called 'Griffin De Mer' which I think is short for 'horse on the water' but it was previously owned by the actress Susan George.

We headed down the river in the direction of Teddington, passing by Hampton Court Palace and also Kingston and the weather was extremely nice. The view's over Hampton Court with the large Gold plated gates were also very impressive. There has been a lot of building on the riverside and there were many beautifully restored houses and also new houses with great river views. We also passed by a very attractive and interesting boat parked near Hampton Court which had been converted by Roger Gilmour of Pink Floyd fame and is used as a water born recording studio.

Just shortly after eleven am the bar opened and so we all partook of some 'vino' to settle the nerves before lunch which was taken at the 'Wharf Cafe and Bar' which is very nice indeed with great river views and also excellent food. Many hours and bottles later we headed back to the boat for the return journey to Sunbury where we finally arrived at around 6pm which was early enough to reopen the bar at John and Lyn's place followed by a smorgasbord and of course just a teeny-weeny little more wine before we all decided to leave before it got too late.

This was a thoroughly enjoyable day- out on a magnificent craft with good friends on a beautiful day. What could possibly be better than this?