Next part of the Thames path and a shortish 6.5 mile walk from Radcot to Lechlade. Needed a taxi from Swindon to get to the start in order to guarantee making it to Lechlade in time for the 14:13 bus to Highworth. After that there is a 2 hour wait for the next bus, then an hour wait. It was a hot July day and plenty of water was needed. Not much traffic on the river now as it gets very twisty with lots of meanders and shallow sections.
Ye Olde Swan at Radcot Bridge – start of this walk.
Radcot Bridge viewed from the Newbridge side
The path starts again across the bridge and shows as an initial 3 mile section to Kelmscot
Setting the scene – tall grass, brown fields, slow water and hot weather!
Looking back at Radcot Bridge
Boats moored near Radcot Bridge
A rare glimpse of the river in this section of the walk
Lazy stretch of river
Gates and nettles – open with care
First of many pillboxes along this section
Many small boats moored against small jetties and pontoons in this section
First lock of the walk – Grafton Lock
Smooth walking after the lock
Tall grasses return to the path
Typical view for this walk, dry brown fields, blue skies and not much sign of the river
Aha – a solitary canal boat chugging along – the only moving powered craft I saw on the walk
Slow meandering bend
Colourful flowers contrasting with the dry brown grasses
Bridge at Kelmscot
Cows trying to keep cool in the shade
A slightly more modern form of transport – on the approach to RAF Fairford
Buscot Lock – the smallest on the river
90 degree turn at yet another meander – the electrified wire fence dissuades the taking of short cuts
St John’s bridge
St John’s Lock with view of the spire of St Lawrence at Lechlade in the distance
Old Father Thames at St John’s Lock
Looking back at several meanders
Across the river is St Lawrence at Lechlade
Ha’penny bridge at Lechlade
St Lawrence, Lechlade – close by is the bus stop for busses to Hiworth and then on to Swindon