Second walk of the 2016 season continues the Thames path onwards from Dorchester. This was a 9 mile wall plus around 1.5 miles walking at both ends (Oxford rail to X39 bus, Dorchester bypass to Thames, Thames to X3 bus, X3 bus to Oxford rail. Very tiring!
Note that due to the large meandering loops in the river, various landmarks such as Didcot power station appear at different aspects throughout the walk. The weather was changeable – only a couple of minutes of rain part way into the large loop after Day’s lock, but clouds moving all around.
Heading through the streets of Dorchester on Thames
Looking back to the way through Dorchester to the fields and then to the river
Bridge on the approach to Day’s Lock
Approaching Day’s Lock
Canoes in Day’s Lock
View upstream from Day’s Lock
The weir at Day’s Lock
The path north from Day’s Lock
Sandy banks on the long meander
Empty boat dock
Panorama from the northern-most part of the meandering bend
Didcot power station comes into view again – a common feature of this walk
Nice lawns!
Brick bridge at Clifton Hampden
Bridge House caravan park
Back down to the riverside on the opposite bank
Clifton lock
Lonely bridge – now closed at dangerous
The weir at Clifton cut
Didcot power station again
Fields stretch into the distance
Small wooden bridge breaks up the monotony of the walk across fields
Underneath Appleford railway bridge
Looking back at awkward section (camber tires the right ankle)
Approaching Culham bridge
Culham lock
That power station again!
Ahh – only one mile remains
From the new wooden bridge, looking north to the older stone one
On the approach to Abingdon
The Old Anchor Inn and the spire at Abingdon
Bridge across the Thames at Abingdon
Abingdon bridge
Live scrollable/zoomable map of the walk: