The Spice Island pub in London’s Rotherhithe has been renamed Old Salt Quay.
The pub, built in 1995 to resemble a boathouse, stands on the site of the former Dinorwic Wharf alongside the old Surrey Basin Entrance. The interior is little changed but it is now describing itself as a ‘Steak and Seafood Restaurant’.
Fish and chips for two people appears to cost £12 in addition to a drink. On Sundays there is a proper roast lunch on offer.
See page 24.
A short stretch of the Thames Path just upstream of Cricklade is to be closed from Monday 24 September for about four weeks. This is to allow for the laying of electricity cables.
The diversion is on the Wiltshire-Gloucestershire boundary at the far west end of North Meadow where the Latten-Swindon canal used to cross the river,
The temporary route from here is right (north) up the line of the old canal and then left (west) into Cerney Wick. At the tiny village go left and left, passing the Crown pub, along the lane on the signposted route taking you south-west to a bridge over the former railway line in the Cotswold Water Park. Here go left on the old line and rejoin the Thames Path ahead as it turns off (your right) from the wide way.
See pages 206-207.
There is some confusion about path closures in the Egham area following the discovery of Foot and Mouth disease earlier this week.
Surprisingly, the towpath along Runnymede remains open.
However, a short section downstream to the south at Chertsey is closed. This is Dumsey Mede (also known as Dumsey Meadow) alongside Chertsey Bridge. The alternative route which is being signposted follows a short footpath north to the road and turns left for a quarter of a mile of road to Chertsey Bridge.
Any further waymarked change on the ground should, of course, be followed.
See pages 73 and 83.
I have been walking the Thames upper reaches following the recent floods. In some places the gound is still not firm and it is fascinating to see the flood plain often clearly marked by debris.
Residents have lots a stories about paddling to work or being thankful that they live in a raised home.
Walking from Lechlade to Cricklade on the very first day of September I spotted a remote old wooden holiday cottage which had been built a few feet above ground.
I also found the bushes heavy with blackberries which is unusual. On the footbridge at the west end of the new lonely riverside section upstream of Castle Eaton not only did I have to squeeze past blackberries but I spotted plenty apples above on a tree.
On the final Thames crossing before Cricklade I was sorry to see that the lifting bars on the bridge’s stiles remain broken. It’s a reminder that cattle are no longer by the river here.
But biggest disappointment was being unable to have a cup of tea at Cricklade. I had forgotten that the Cricklade Cafe closes at 4pm. At least the Black Cat Tearooms at Lechlade stay open until 4.30pm.
But it was good to be able to have lunch in Castle Eaton at the The Red Lion which is now open every lunchtime, offers bed and breakfast as well as a welcome to serious walkers.
See Chapter 19.
This is the first year that it has been possible to walk by the river all the way from Castle Eaton to Cricklade.
Until now there had been a long road walk to Water Eaton before the Thames could be seen. The new directions from Castle Eaton are:
“At the west end of The Street keep ahead along Mill Lane. After the last house continue down the slope and over the gated bridge.
There is a pond on the right. After a few yards bear right towards the river, passing a clump of trees hiding a pond on the left. At the river turn left upstream. After a footbridge, the river takes a long S-bend to give a view of an old Thames-side chalet at a campsite on the far bank.
There is another footbridge and a more gentle bend. before reaching a band of trees. Do not be tempted south away from the river but take a narrow path through the young trees to find a footbridge. Thios is where the route used to join from the road.
There is then open country, apart from a high long bridge over an inlet, as the path runs near the Water Eaton farm buildings.â€
Sadly, the long road walk at Inglesham remains.
See Chapter 19.
There are two temporary diversions between Gatehampton and Goring.
The first is at Gatehampton railway bridge just after the path returns to the river following its gentle downhill run through Hartslock Wood. Thames Water is laying a pipe from its Gatehampton Farm boreholes to Oxford. The signposted alternative route is expected to be in place until December.
There is also a diversion a short distance upstream near Goring. This has been caused by a bank collapse and the alternative route is also likely to be in place until the end of the year.
See pages 136 and 137.
After years of pressure by the Ramblers’ Association the towpath which runs under Cookham Bridge has been reopened. It is the path seen in Stanley Spencer’s famous painting Swan Upping which shows the bridge spanning the path.
This addition does not affect the Thames Path route which still passes through the churchyard. But having reached the river you can now go right to visit the Ferry Inn which is at the end of Ferry Lane.
The reopening this month is a victory for Margaret Bowdery MBE, President of the East Berkshire Ramblers Group, who has devoted a considerable amount of time to the campaign to reinstate the right of way.
See page 103.
Flood watches are still in place on several sections of the River Thames west of London.
This means that some flooding of low-lying land is a possibility. However, the ground continues to drain leaving the Thames Path again passable in most places where there has been severe flooding.
But there has been some rain and more is forecast so there will still be plenty of muddy paths for some time.
Constant updates are now unnecessary. This is a national story.
The Thames in summer, winter, hot sun, rain or snow is exciting and worth a walk. But this is a rare period (it may be more than a week) when walking is not sensible even if possible.
There is a severe flood warning on the River Thames from Eynsham Lock to Day’s Lock near Dorchester-on-Thames. The towpath is covered around Oxford and Abingdon.
However there is serious flooding upstream at Kelmscot. Water is rising at Newbridge whilst inland to the north Standlake residents are fighting the rising River Windrush which flows into the Thames at Newbridge.
There is now a fear of craft being ripped from moorings.
There are flood warnings as far east as Hampton Court and these may be upgraded.
This may not be a good time to be walking the Thames Path as there are numerous reports of flooding and public transport is disrupted.
A severe flood warning has been issued by the Environment Agency in the Oxford area between Kennington and upstream Eynsham.
There are also 17 flood warnings from as far east as Teddington. Tributaries in the Upper Thames are reported to be at flood level which means that the River Thames is likely to see further flooding.
Two roads in Oxford were closed this morning.
Walkers should remember that swimming can be dangerous in fast moving water and the Thames in flood can be very dangerous.
At Maidenhead water is being diverted into the recently dug Jubilee River which rejoins the Thames opposite Windsor’s Home Park.