On one of my previous posts, someone left a comment asking me to specify our route along the Thames. In total, the route we walked is approximately 77 miles, around 125 km, but that excludes back-and-forth to hotels, plus detours. Like on our second day, we detoured to Dorchester, which added a couple of miles. We walked a total of 150 km, 94 miles, excluding our rambles through Windsor.
We started in Oxford, walked to Abingdon, then to Wallingford, Pangbourne, Sonning, Hurley, Taplow and Windsor. Some of the days were relatively shortish: Oxford to Abingdon, Hurley to Taplow and Taplow to Windsor were all below 11 miles. The truly long walks were Abingdon to Wallingford and Sonning to Hurley, both over 14 miles.
We could measure how tired we were getting by how we stopped talking. The last few miles to Wallingford, we didn’t say a word to each other, we just marched on. Otherwise, one of the benefits of holidaying like this is that it does give you a lot of time to talk. It also gives you a lot of time to think, but once again: the more tired I became, the more haphazard my thoughts.
Both hubby and I are in relatively good shape. We walk a lot on a daily basis, but it’s one thing to do a two-hour walk and then come home and relax, another thing entirely to walk for eight hours straight with a short break. What quickly became a problem for me were my feet. I had chosen my hiking shoes with care (I have two pairs, chose the most comfy one) but after two days, one of my toes started to hurt, and when we reached Reading we had to do some emergency shopping, i.e. new shoes for your truly. My toenail is now a deep purple…
Another thing to think about is water. You need to drink more than you think, so take the opportunity when you stop to drink, top up your water bottle (and visit the toilet. Not many of those about on the path itself)
The absolute highlights for me were the following:
Abingdon, St Ethelwold’s House and the whole history around St Helen’s church and the conflicts with the powerful Abingdon Abbey
North Stokes—we weren’t supposed to pass through this village, but were recommended a detour by our organiser, Walk the Thames. Very worth it!
Mapledurham House—despite not getting in.
All the rowers and narrowboats we saw on the Thames
All the history I encountered along the way (no pic)
The locks. I could live by a lock, watch boaters passing up and down. Plus, so many of the lock keepers were very nice peeps who happily shared information and anecdotes.
Spending so much time with hubby—just me and Johan. No one makes me laugh like he does. With no one else can I be as vulnerable and grumpy as I can be with him. And yes, I was grumpy, what with my sore toe and NO chocolate left!
For those of you wanting more details, check out the previous posts:
Hiking down the Thames – to Abingdon
Hiking the Thames Path – from Abingdon to Pangbourne
Hiking along – from Pangbourne to Hurley
And we hike on – Bisham Abbey and onwards
Hiking along the Thames – the final stretch
The more observant among you may have noticed I’ve not written a word about Windsor. Yet. There’s a post in the making, promise!