Thames Path : Lechlade to Cricklade

Almost at the end now. An 11 mile walk from Lechlade to Cricklade. As an accompaniment the RIAT was on at RAF Fairford so they day had a soundtrack of thunderous jets and wonderful WW1 and WW2 propellor airplanes.

Also, a new section of path had been restored by the river edge, meaning the potentially dangerous section on the Inglesham road is now avoided.

 

Looking back from Halfpenny bridge

 

Looking ahead from halfpenny bridge

 

After descent to the path, the signage is clear

 

Eroded banks just west of Lechlade

 

Bridge just before Round House – do not cross

 

Round House – marks the end of the official navigation – only canoes in the water after this point

 

Cows plagued by flies on a hot day

 

A grass strip airfield – keep to the edge of this field

 

The warning sign is for the air strip – not RAF Fairford!

 

Boat awaiting more water

 

New fencing, bridge and signage

 

New fencing

 

Thames bridle way – no horses today through

 

I suspect it gets a bit boggy here when wet – no problem today

 

About to join Nell Hill road for a short stretch – turn right

 

After Hannington Bridge, the fields were a bit more overgrown

 

The church at Long Eaton comes into view

 

The river – slowly meandering, quite shallow

 

Blackford farm – the path crosses their lawn! Mind the loud dog!

 

The Red Lion at Castle Eaton

 

Flowers adorn wall in Castle Eaton

 

Descending back to the fields after passing through Castle Eaton

 

The airshow at RIAT continues

 

The river narrows further and is dominated by reeds and rushes

 

Path at the edge of the crops

 

The dry weather has produced cracked ground

 

A bridge across a fairly dry tributary

 

Corn

 

Two swans enjoy the river

 

A dry tributary

 

The main river still has some flow

Streaming weeds show the direction of flow in this shallow section of the Thames

 

The river is little more than a 3 m wide meandering brook

 

Road bridge carrying the A419

 

Looking across the fields on tha arrival in Cricklade

 

Final parts of the path across the grassland

 

Entry into Cricklade – walking through the streets