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