Tuesday 27 April 2010
Day 5 of our trek nearly didn’t happen according to plan. Iceland blowing itself to pieces caused an extended stay in Spain. I was staying with my friends Judith & Philip and they very kindly looked after me for the extra 4 days. My delayed trip home was only painful in the wallet area!
Our journey started by riding a bus from our base at the Tree Hotel at Iffley into central Oxford. We managed to find a minicab to take us to the start at the Ferryman Inn, but only due to some back seat navigating through the country lanes thanks to Google maps on my phone.
It was the best day we have had so far for walking. Sun, blue skies and a gentle breeze. The best thing about this walk is how peaceful it is - the sound of birds rather than of cars and planes - other than the RAF buzzing us with their transport planes. Steve seems to know most of the birds but keeps pointing out skylarks to me which aren’t there!
The first landmark was Pinkhill Lock. These locks along the Thames are manned and are beautifully maintained. They are even electrically operated so no physical effort is required - despite the fact that we already look a bit hot!
The journey was fairly uneventful. The river looking strong and wide now and crossed by the pretty Swinford Bridge, built in 1770 and still charges a 5 pence toll to unsuspecting motorists.
We were happily crossing a big field when we saw a herd of cows clearly trying to head us off from getting to the stile into the next field. As we sped up, so did they until we both converged at the same spot. Fortunately my experience with cattle (my brother-in-law's a farmer you know) saved the day and they backed down!
But lunch was beckoning. We were heading for the Trout at Godstow. Tummies rumbling the Trout came into view from Godstow bridge. It looked like a scene from Morse, with tables and umbrellas set out along the river bank. When we entered though it was clear that it was probably a bit chi-chi for Morse and we looked a bit out of place in our walking gear and rucksacks amongst the glitterati of Oxford! Still we had a good lunch.
Resuming the journey, before long it was clear that we were nearing Oxford. Suddenly we were engulfed by young people jogging and cycling and the river was full of very red-faced rowers being shouted at by trainers with megaphones in motorboats. We turned a corner and the dreaming spires came magically into view across the water meadows.
The colleges must own the land along the river as the state of the banks and the path dramatically improved in quality and we had to keep our eyes peeled for cyclists zooming up from behind. This was a little difficult as most of the rowing boats seemed to have female crews! Still I managed to keep Steve’s mind on the job.
We detoured into the centre of Oxford for a afternoon tea, and enjoyed cakes, scones and a pot of tea at Patisserie Valerie - well we deserve the occasional treat!
Suitably refreshed I succeeded in getting us lost whilst trying to get us back to the right side of the river to rejoin the path. Steve got a bit anxious for a while but my unshakable sense of direction managed to get us back on track, and soon the tower of Iffley church came into view and journey’s end at the Tree Hotel.
After a quick shower and a doze we decide we could only muster the energy to dine in the hotel and after a very good Indo-fusion meal we recharged the batteries for the following day
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