| Date |
Time |
Name |
Comment |
| 24/04/2008 | 20:45 | Paul Sally. Len Elaine | We started the walk in London in 2007 and had reached Putney by February 08. We plan to walk to Richmond over the May Bank Holiday weekend and we are looking forward to seeing the more rural parts of the river. We only get together every 2-3 months so the whole trip will take us some time. However we already have the Essex Way under our belts (or should that be under our walking boots?) and we are all enjoying the exercise. We found your site very interesting and will report back when we have finished.
[Great to hear your story and good luck with completing the path - Andy] |
| 04/03/2008 | 09:27 | Sarah | Nice site. Are you still walking? We are about to embark on doing the whole thing in 10-11 days so will get back to you when we've done it.
[Thanks Sarah. Yes - still walking but not yet completed the project however will be doing the final stages in one block in the summer. Please do come back and let me know how you got on. Andy] |
| 25/02/2008 | 05:54 | Fred | With so many photos, yours is a most useful site for those of us considering walking the whole length. It gives a very realistic view of the walk. Thanks.
[It's a pleasure! I've got a proper camera now so perhaps I'll put some decent pictures up one day. :-) - Andy] |
| 27/01/2008 | 07:47 | pammattinson | So amazing that you go into world-wide print spelling `weir` as wier` and ask if the famous David Garrick is a present day actor?
[Thanks Pam for pointing a couple of mis-spellings both in my own commentary and in the visitor's log - there are certainly many more. I do intend to re-design this whole site - perhaps after I've actually finished the project! When I do, I will clear up these errors and the others of mine I've noticed. As for David Garrick, I believe he was an eighteenth century actor. Maybe you know something else that I don't? Andy] |
| 27/01/2008 | 07:38 | pammattinson | Wish your entrants would look up the spelling of definitely in their nearest Dictionary
[I wish you would make use of a personal pronoun when required and put a full stop at the end of your sentences but I'll let you off! It is interesting to learn from you, however, that the word 'dictionary' appears to be a proper noun! ;-) Andy]
|
| 03/10/2007 | 09:10 | Dee Crewdson | This is something I wish to start next year. I live in Middlesex too.
[Excellent! Go for it! Andy] |
| 01/09/2007 | 12:01 | Judy | We have walked many parts of you journey with our daughter and son-in-law who live in Marlow. It has been delightful to Walk it again this morning at home in East Lothian Thank you.
[It's a pleasure! Must be lots of great walking where you are. Andy] |
| 29/08/2007 | 22:37 | Bob | An update to a previous enquiry. The X15 bus which passes through Newbridge is now operated by RH Transport and only runs between Witney and Abingdon. If you are catching the bus towards Abingdon I recommend that you stand at the corner of the Rose Revival pub car park and not at the bus stop as the driver doesn't always stop as I found out and had to wait one and half hours for the next bus and as both the pubs are closed for refurbishment due to the recent flooding it was a long wait.
[Thanks Bob - useful info not only about the bus but about the pubs - I hadn't thought that some might of course be closed in that region following the floods. I almost went out to complete the project last week but I'd have been disappointed not to have access to a beer or two!! Andy] |
| 29/08/2007 | 16:12 | Mark | I live near the River Thames in Staines. Have walked and cycled many small sections towards London, Kingston, Richmond and some of the central South Bank and Embankment sections. Love cycling along the river to Egham and even onto Windsor. Great site. good insite to a huge River with a lot of history of course the restaurants and the pubs and bars along the way are great as well. good luck to anyone who takes on the whole walk at once.
[Thanks for your comments Mark. Need to cycle the path a bit more than I do. Perhaps one day, when I've finished this project I'll do the whole thing in one go too. Andy] |
| 20/08/2007 | 16:08 | Annie | Well, just completed another section yesterday. Teddington to Staines... intend trying to do the whole lot over the next few months (likely to be years.) but using this one as training for a 50K in one day charity walk along the Grand Canal. Great site and been really useful...
[Thanks for your comments. Good luck with (both) walks and keep me informed how you get on. Andy] |
| 17/07/2007 | 23:10 | Geoff Twibell | Andy: Your Web site provided the inspiration for our own Thames Path walk three weeks ago - the Thames Barrier to Moulsford (where we live) in seven days. We aim to complete the walk to the source next year, but first will do the London bit again - this time crossing to the North side of the river at Greenwich, so avoiding the dodgy bits through Deptford where - this time - I was thankful we were walking with our large dog. It's interesting that we seem to have photographed many of the same things en route. Though I can't help noticing that you have, apart from one distant snap, studiously avoided photographing what for me was the absolute lowest point of the whole jaunt - the Purley Park housing estate just outside Reading. Areas like Deptford might have been edgy and dangerous but at least they had life and soul. Purley Park was just utterly sterile and devoid of all character. You could almost feel the life force being sucked out of you as you passed through. GeoffT.
[Great to hear the site helped you get out there and do it! Terribly sorry to have missed photographing the Purlery Park housing estate. :-) It's true there are one or two areas, particularly in London, that could be called 'edgy' but it all adds to the excitement! Let me know how you get on with the next phase of your project. Andy] |
| 27/06/2007 | 13:58 | Hillary | It`s awesome. I find this superb site, you must see it. It`s awesome... See you. |
| 16/06/2007 | 13:10 | Brian Dixon | Love the site. I intend to do the whole route in 'Sunday bites' by bicycle with my grand-daughter.
[Sounds a great idea - let me know how you get on. Andy] |
| 22/05/2007 | 09:50 | John Eade | Reply to John Davis: See http://thames.me.uk/s01720.htm which includes an 1882 picture of the bridge in construction
[Thanks John (I've put your slashes back in!!)] |
| 13/05/2007 | 04:32 | Ian Bull | Congratulations to Mary (and Nancy) who, having seen this site, came from Canada and the USA to walk the Thames Path. After 3 weeks they completed it on Saturday 12th May 2007. Well done. Ian ianbull AT btinernet DOT com |
| 07/05/2007 | 13:48 | Ian Bull | Reply to John Davis (below). It was the branch into Oxford Gas Works. (Closed 1960). Note the large diameter gas mains that still use the bridge.
[Thanks Ian - you're doing a splended job! Andy] |
| 01/05/2007 | 10:36 | John Davis | has anyone any information on the old railway bridge across the Thames in Oxford. It links Oxpen field to the park opposite. Now used for pedestrians |
| 22/04/2007 | 06:31 | Toni Bracher | I really enjoyed looking at your site. When we come to UK, we will definately do this walk. It looks fantastic. Thank you so much for sharing this....
[It's a pleasure - please come back and let me know how you get on! - Andy] |
| 08/04/2007 | 19:26 | Ian Bull | Reply to Mary (below). There's only one bus service at Newbridge -Thames Travels X15. It goes past Culham station on the Oxford to Didcot line. Here's the website - http:www.thames-travel.co.uk |
| 21/03/2007 | 23:53 | Mary | Any suggestions on how to get from Newbridge to a train station? We are doing the Path in stages and there are few transportation options at the beginning of the Path. |
| 25/01/2007 | 21:55 | Jacqui Hales | I walked from the source to Oxford with my Dad in July 06, we camped out along the way. It was very very hot 30 but as Aussies we were used to it. I love this very rural part of the Thames path just need to take extra food and water not many places to refill in some parts before Eynsham Lock.
[That's why I think the path is so good for walking. You can either pick the quieter parts to get away from modern life a little or choose the busier London end, for example, where there are things to see and do round every corner. Of course, the 'quiet' parts can't compare with the Outback! - Andy] |
| 13/01/2007 | 17:12 | Mafer | Hello. Cood site. |
| 27/11/2006 | 03:24 | Brett Wheeler | 56 year old Kiwi in Auckland N.Z. Coming over soon to do the complete journey. Have done the London bit many times in the past.
[Let us know how you get on. Andy] |
| 01/11/2006 | 21:16 | Jan | 27 & 28 Oct 2006 Another bit clocked off, Oxford to Culham Lock. Very, very, very muddy. Pub at Sandford on Thames closed for refurbishment. Walked back to Abingdon via Sutton Courtney, but all pubs shut being Sunday, we were too early. Nice pub in Abingdon, Kings Head and Ball near St Helen's church. Good place to eat The Broad Face gastropub on Bridge Street in Abingdon, though drinks are pricey.
[It's so disappointing when you look forward to a pub only to find it's closed! I remember The Broad Face myself and the food was good. Andy] |
| 28/10/2006 | 18:41 | Ian Bull | Hi Andy, Now I've really done it. I've finally extended my walk from Gravesend to (near enough) London Stone at Yantlet Creek so, I think I can say that I've walked from source to sea. This is a bleak, desolate yet, rewarding landscape. Best done on a nice warm day. It's not the sort of area where you would want to make an enforced 6 mile diversion so, if anyone else is thinking of doing this, be aware that all the land on the eastern side of Yantlet Creek belongs to the Ministry of Defence and there is no public access atal. That means it's not possible to walk all the way to London Stone. Ironically the foreshore around the Stone belongs to the City of London and may be visited but, you can't cross the MoD land to get there :( . I avoided diversions without breaking the 'spirit' of the law but I might end up spending time in the Tower of London if I said how. Happy walking everyone. Ian Bull Ianbull AT btinternet DOT com
[Personal circumstances have changed (for the better) in recent months so I'm confident that I will complete the project this year - I'll have to add this bit of the walk on the end. Thanks once again for your updates Ian. - Andy] |
| 14/10/2006 | 05:35 | Evelyn | I have just stumbled upon your site and will return as soon as I have time. A friend and I (both female and in our sixties) are researching and planning for a trip from NZ - hoping to explore as much as we can of the Thames valley in a limited time. It seems quite daunting from so far away, especially regarding accommodation. Back soon. Thanks for sharing your project.
[Don't be too worried about accomodation - You can always book a step or two ahead and anyway, you're never too far from a town and can always bus or taxi your way to somewhere bigger if you get stuck. Please come back and let me know how oyu get on. - Andy] |
| 09/10/2006 | 04:11 | Ian Bull | I've done it. Hi Andy, your site has been in my mind continuously as I trudged along. It encouraged me to continue and, eventually, say that 'I'd done it'. Many thanks. I assure everyone who might read this that, when you finally get to the source and, tap that lump of Granite on the head, you'll feel you've really achieved something. The Source is beautifully situated and is worth a visit in its own right. I bent the rules somewhat. My modification is that, 'I must return in time to have a drink in my local Pub after every section and, preferably, in time to have dinner at home beforehand'. I failed once (Windsor to Reading) and had to eat sandwiches on the train back - still got to the pub for a good swill though. (Priorities..) I live near the River in Battersea and worked in both directions. Two sections to Gravesend and, 6 to The Source. I did Walton on Thames to Putney in late May 2006 as a sponsored walk, www.nightingalewalk.org.uk and, the rest over the past 6 weeks. The tough part was, of course, West of Oxford. I did Oxford - Lechlade and, Lechlade - Source. That needed some considerable research and, if anyone wants to know how to do it by public transport, please feel free to email me. West of Oxford is arguably the most interesting section for a City dweller like me. Oxford to Lechlade is over 30 miles without so much as a village. Mile after mile of pastureland. It seemed a little boring at the time but, looking back on it... this is the real England. It's also the past. I realised that obvious clues to the 21st century were rare here. Plastic tags in the Bovines ears, their breed, steel wires between fence posts and, the lack of Elms. Otherwise, I doubt if the landscape has changed dramatically in 200 years, maybe much more. (Sorry - forgot the electricity pylons.) West of Oxford is well worth doing. It's been something of an Odyssey. Unquestionably the most enjoyable walk of my life. Almost 'moving'. I intend to try again next year. Meanwhile, before the clocks go back, I must get to 'London Stone' in the Estuary and... if I can fill in Sittingbourne to Herne Bay... the Seaward Navigational Limit. Then I really will have walked the Thames. Thanks Andy for this excellent site - your turn next.. All the best Ian Bull
ianbull AT btinternet DOT com [Well done - and thanks very much for your kind comments. I'm always happy to hear when my little project has inspired someone!! Good luck with the Estuary bits... And yes - I will finish the walk myself one day... Andy.] |
| 10/09/2006 | 14:30 | Nicky Garreth | Hi Andy After a couple of previous entries in your visitors book (January this year and June last year), detailing our progress, I am really pleased to tell you that just yesterday we completed the final stretch of our walk ending at the Thames Barrier. It took us nearly 5 years, but we are pleased that we stuck with it . Already thinking about the next mission . Let's hope I can find another site like this for our next route. Best wishes, N
[Congratulations! Hope the Champagne was waiting for you. Any ideas about what will be next? Canals are good. I've walked the Weybridge-Godalming Navigation and much of the Basingstoke canal which were pleasant. I might try the Kennet & Avon Canal next which starts at the Thames in Reading - this means I will have walked from one side of the country to the other. My ultimate plan is to work my way down the list of Britains longest rivers, so the Severn aught to be next. Good luck anyway. Andy] |
| 25/08/2006 | 15:25 | Rache | Thanks for all the info on this site, I am doing something similar with 2 sisters and a variety of others, going from source to Barrier and your rules made me laugh out loud, they rang loud bells. Have you finished yet?
[I seriously considered 1) walk a bit 2) visit pubs - but I settled for a set of rules I could break more easily!! No I've not finished yet. Only poor excuses but I will... How are you getting on? Andy] |
| 20/08/2006 | 21:50 | Jan | We started in June 2006 from Lechlade and got up to Tadpole Bridge. This month (August) we went to the source and walked to Cricklade. Hope to join up these bits soon. Our rules are stick to the path one way but short cuts are ok going back, another rule is go in the pub. Depending on bus services we would like to avoid back tracking in future and hope to do around Oxford soon.
[Hope it all geos well. Andy] |
| 01/08/2006 | 09:10 | Michael | Perversely I started in the middle (Maidenhead to Windsor) in Janauary 2006 and am walking my way to the ends and hope to finish this year (we'll see). I have now got to Kew downsteam and Abingdon upsteam and have the option of a rural or an urban walk on each excursion I have been doing a small chunk in both directions on one of my days off each week so progess is not rapid but I will have done the equivalent of source to sea and sea to source by the time I end. Progess has been slightly hampered by the addition of a two year old in a push chair but this is only really difficult when it has been raining and the wheels clog up with mud. I am not too sure how easy it will be beyond Oxford but we will see - maybe I will have to get her some walking boots. If anyone sees a fat bloke pushing a pushchair along the path - say hello. Good site M
[I'd get her some boots and start her nice and early!! ;-) Good luck with the rest of it. Andy] |
| 27/07/2006 | 14:39 | Sally | I think I might just be hooked. I have always liked walking, just not great distances. Sometime ago I had a thought that I fancied walking the coastline of Britain.. Common sense told me to start with something a little easier. Unfortunately next week I'm having my second cartliage op. on the same knee. I'm just building up to ask my sister if she fancies walking the Thames path with me, probably starting next Easter. Luckily we both work in schools but I think that it would still have to be done on the weekends. Thank you for a great website - a real inspiration.
[Thanks Sally. I'm sure you'll have some great experiences whether you walk in stages or in one go. Let me know how you get on. Coastine of britain? Now that sounds like a good idea...! ;-) Andy] |
| 01/06/2006 | 01:42 | Gemma | I'm doing a sponsored bike ride for the NSPCC on Sunday 2nd July. from Thamesmead to Tower Bridge along the Thames Path. I'm trying to find out how far it is (distance wise) so I can display it on my web page. If anyone wants to spnsor me go to www.justgiving.com/gemmaandlucy
[Take a look at gmap-pedometer.com - great for measuring routes precisely. Good luck with the bike ride. Andy]
[How did the bike ride go? Andy] |
| 27/05/2006 | 15:50 | Linda Brown | I am going to start the Thames path towards the end of June. I am setting off from the source towards the Thames Barrier. I will be walking the route alone (do you think as a lady alone that it is relatively safe?). Also I am taking my pack and plan to B & B along the route, without booking. I just want to stop walking when I'm tired rather than take any specific timescale. Am I right in thinking that won't be a problem. Last year I completed the whole of the South West Coastal Path, with my son, (630 miles) from Minehead, Somerset to Poole, Dorset. An absolutely wonderful experience taking some six weeks to complete. They say it is like climbing Everest three times and they are not wrong. The previous year I walked across England on the Wainwright trail, St. Bees in Cumbria to Robin Hoods Bay, North Yorkshire (190 miles also with my son )another physically challenging experience. I am looking forward to flat walking on this one..
[Hi Linda. I think as long as you use your common sense walking alone should be ok. I suspect the risk is no more or less than going for a walk in your own town but I think if you are a little worried stick to walking in daylight just to be on the safe side. There's always an element of risk in modern life (in this case small) but if we want to experience things we have to be prepared to take it on! Just my personal view, as a bloke, of course. You may need to be a little more prepared with regard to accomodation. You'll certainly not find B&Bs round every corner. There are some quite long stretches between towns and there aren't many signs saying 'nice comfy bed this way' just when you want them, even in the towns. :-) I'd use the web to research some potential places before you leave so at least you have some options. You could phone ahead before setting off each day if you know you'll definitely be at a certain place by nightfall. Of course, it depends on how much of an adventure you want! Good luck anyway and let me know what you decide to do and how successful it is. Oh - and I look forward to finding how your little trek up Everest goes! ;-) Andy.] |
| 14/05/2006 | 17:38 | Mandy | Hi, thanks for the great info on site. I am taking part in a sponser walk for london Carers centres.It starts at the London Eye and finishes at the Barrier on June 11th 2006.Looking forward to all the sites and money that i will help raise.Cheers
[Thanks Mandy. All the best with your charity walk - let me know how it goes. Andy] |
| 10/05/2006 | 06:34 | Dave S | hi Andy. congratulations on a fantastic site, i am setting off on sunday 19th may to follow the thames path from its source to the limehouse basin at docklands in london then i will continue along the river lea to my home in essex the distance is approx 195 miles, i will be cycling the route and i have eight days in which to do it so i dont have to cycle that quickly and it will give me hopefully a lot of time to look around places of interest, i would of course prefer to walk it and if i could spare two to three weeks then i would but unfortunatly its not to be. so cycling is a quicker alternative, i have done lots of walking and cycling over the years including the dorset coastal path, ben nevis, snowdon and scafel pike and the cheddar gorge and i regually cycle the rivers lea and stort but the thames path is one that has eluded me and i have been wanting to do it for quite some time. i am a keen angler and i have fished many parts of the river and i have fallen under its spell too, but i would like to say a big thank you to you andy for inspiring me through this lovely site of yours to push on and do it. i first found this site in january and have been planning to go ever since and now the time is almost here so i shall let you know how it went on my return, i have started a journal and will be taking my camera as well. so watch this space you never know i might even have a web site going on this subject in the near future, . anyway andy i hope you complete your project very soon many thanks & best wishes..... Dave
[Thanks Dave for your comments. I'm jealous that you have done so much more walking than I have - I'd love to walk all of the routes you've mentioned here. One day... Let me know how your Thames journey goes. Andy] |
| 05/05/2006 | 15:53 | Paul Carvosso | A good read. well done. I'm planning to do much the same thing over the next two or three months, (did stage 1 a couple of weeks ago)so your pics and comments were very useful. My main worry is transport connections after Reading. Any comments?
[Thanks for your comments. Transport connections after Reading are OK - it's not so good after Oxford (hence the reason why my project has stalled there!) After Reading I used rail connections at Pangbourne, Cholsey, Culham and Oxford. Cholsey and Culham are not exactly on route but the 45 minute walk to the river from Cholsey is either mostly across pleasant fields (see start of Stage 14) or down fairly quiet lanes. Culham on the other hand is a 35 minute walk along a busy main road (see stage 15) - not great, but certainly achievable. I'd recommend checking train times on the internet and planning the time of arrival at the station on the way home as trains may be infrequent.
Good luck and let me know how you get on. Andy.] |
| 31/03/2006 | 10:03 | Mary Wang | I needed somewhere flat to use for my long training runs for the London Marathon. It was absolutely brilliant to find your site, complete with the all-important distance measurements, and I've now done some great runs along the LalehamWindsor stretch. Thank you very much. Mary
[It's a pleasure Mary. Hope the Marathon went OK and that you'll keep on using the path now it's over. Andy] |
| 26/03/2006 | 16:19 | Myriam | When visiting Greenwich last summer, we discovered the possibility to follow the Thames to its source. Reading about it in your project and having a look at the superb views encourage us to follow your steps . Thank you for sharing them. We intend to bike it this summer and to camp. Are there some camp sites ?
[Thanks for your comments. Good luck with your bike ride - there are camp sites - see the offical path site at http://www.nationaltrail.co.uk. Let me know how it goes. Andy] |
| 01/03/2006 | 22:28 | John Eade | I have enjoyed looking at your site. My own interests are in punting the Thames. (See my site at http://thames.me uk ) When punting I have always been theoretically willing to help walkers cross where the ferries no longer run - but somehow I never seem to find anybody actually wanting my services! [Thanks John. I'd hitch a ride if I spotted you - perhaps you need a T-Shirt or one of those Golf Sale advertising boards to announce your service! For any other visitors - I strongly recommend that you visit Johns site - full of great stuff. Andy] |
| 30/01/2006 | 13:26 | Nicky & Garreth | I placed an entry back in June last year and am pleased to say that we have almost finished now :-) Less than 20 more miles to go in London within easy reach of work so should be finished by the end of Feb. For all of those people who would like to walk the Thames path in stages as we have, I would recommend that you think thoroughly about whether you walk from Thames Barrier to Source or vice versa. We started from the source and in hindsight, I think it was a good decision for us. The latter stages have been closer to home, giving us the momentum to complete and also I think that the second half of the Thames has been more inspiring than that of some of the first. Andy - How are you getting on?
[Thanks for the update - and well done on (almost) finishing. I'm ashamed to say I am yet to finish. It's all a very long story but I'm still very determined to get the last sections done - hopefully this spring/summer. Good thoughts on deciding which direction to walk. I am personally happy that I started at the mouth but I think it's a key thing for others to think about before they plan anything. - Andy] |
| 26/10/2005 | 00:05 | Sean Davis | Andy,
I like the website very much. I know the Thames Path really well from Chelsea to Henley. I now use the path from Teddington to Little Marlow as part of a 220 mile relay I hold each year (since 1995) around London's Green Belt. I hope to get the path recognised as a National Trail in the next year. I am putting in many changes this year. It could be a new project fro you when I have finished it. If you want details, or want to get involved you can watch the website www.greenbeltrelay.org.uk or aske me to add you to my e-mail list. It's a big job, and the more people I get on-board the better.
[Thanks for the comments - your project certainly sounds interesting. I'll take a look... Andy.] |
| 21/09/2005 | 12:13 | Scott Allsop | Hi Andy,
I've just remembered that I didn't pop back here to let you know that my partner and I successfully walked the Thames over the summer. We took 12 days to it, camping en-route. Most days turned out at a quite nice 14/15miles, but the furthest we had was to Henley at 21 miles with full packs! Then again, at least we had a vague downhill to help us :)
I'll be updating my website with a full journal of our walk sometime over the next month - you'll be able to find it at http://www.redhotscott.co.uk/
All the best,
Scott
[Congratulations! You've beaten me to it - it's very busy for me at the moment but I still hope to get the thing finished this year... I look forward to seeing your journal. Andy] |
| 11/09/2005 | 17:37 | Pam | What great find your site has been. My granddaughter who will be 12 this month recently said it was her ambition to walk the Thames. I thought this was a great idea and offered to do it with her. Our plan is to do it by the time she is 13. Since she has many out-of-school activities which often involve weekends, it will be difficult fitting it in with her busy schedule. I can't wait to get started and hope her enthusiasm won't wane once we get going!
[I'm sure you won't have a problem with enthusiasm once you get started - and it's certainly very possible to get it all done in a year even with a life full of other things! OK - I know i've not yet finished but I don't have the benefit of a 12 year old to pester me. ;-) Good luck and let me know how you get on. - Andy] |
| 10/09/2005 | 21:51 | Ian Bull | Hi Andy. Thanks for such an interesting site. I've been an ardent Thames-side walker (and pub-goer) for very many years so it's been a pleasure to see where I've been. It's also good to know that I'm not alone! Good luck with the final push to the source.
If I can find the time I'm going to try and march out to 'London Stone' (the esturine end of the Thames) later in the year.
All the best & thanks again - Ian
[It's a pleasure Ian. I shall without doubt be finishing the final stages this Autumn. No dates yet but it's going to happen!! London Stone sounds a good idea - perhaps I'll bump in to you. - Andy] |
| 15/08/2005 | 16:40 | Malcolm Alcock | Being an occasional cyclist I stumbled across your project while looking for cycle paths along the Thames. What a pleasant surprise on two counts…….. Firstly your project is very informative with great pics – I expect to pay several more visits. The pub photos, particularly of the pint of Winter Warmer and Stilton & Steak pie lead me to the second count…. Have you ever been, probably after a long day of network queries at 99 Staines Roar West, a partaker of beers around the Sunbury Cross area ?
[Well, well... suprising indeed. Yes, I must admit that in a previous life I was known to frequent the odd public house (usually very odd) in the Sunbury Cross Area. I don't think there are any left now! - Andy] |
| 21/07/2005 | 18:03 | Louise, Lesley and Lara | Enjoyed your site, funnily enough your photographs are very similar to ours! Walking in aid of the Alzheimer's Society. Starting at the source on Saturday March 5 2005, we watched a tiny trickle turn into a mighty river - our surroundings included everything from wild meadowland to manicured waterside developments, from the rural Cotswolds to the sophisticated Home Counties, from house boats to Henley. We walked througn Windsor Dog Show, the Hampton Court Flower Show and both Abingdon and Kingston Regattas. The climate varied from horizontal sleet to full summer sunshine and along the way we were enchanted by dozens of forms of feathered and furry wildlife, hypnotized by the wealth displayed by riverside gardens and boats, deafened by jumbo jets and immensely cheered to be joined on one stretch by our friend and colleague in his canoe. We are vey proud to say we finished our journey on Sunday July 17 2005 having spent just over 10 days of walking during the four month period. We loved it and can't wait for our next challenge.
[Well done on making it. It sounds like you had a fantastic time. Have you decided on your next challenge? Andy] |
| 13/06/2005 | 11:23 | Scott Allsop | Hi Andy,
Having limped our way ot completing the Hadrian's Wall trail over my school's half-term, my partner and I are taking 2 weeks to walk to length of the path at the start of August. I stumbled acrosss your site when searching for anecdotes of people who have walked it. A really helpful site...now to hope we can finish it!
[I'm very hopeful I'll finish the project in August too. Which way round are you going to do it? Perhaps we'll bump in to one another. I hope you enjoy yourselves anyway. I'll have to try Hadrian's wall one day... - Andy] |
| 04/06/2005 | 11:44 | Nicky and Garreth | Hi Andy - Love the website
We started walking the Thames in 2001, with a view to do 10-15 mile stages and complete it within the year. Needless to say, we are still doing it now. We started from the Source and have just recently reached Reading, so about half way. Logistically the most difficult and time consuming stretches have been completed and as we approach Marlow & Windsor we have the benefit of friends and family who can supply the 'B&B', pick ups and even join us on our way.
We work in London so the final stretch will be easy enough to do in the evenings with a few pub stops on the way, no doubt:-) It has been a really good experience and we are looking forward to reaching the end. We are hoping to organise a 'champagne reception' when we get to the Thames Barrier !! Let's see if we can do it before the decade is out !!
[It's nice to know I'm not the only one to have over-optimistic finishing plans! ;-) I hope to finish it this Summer (with some champagne no doubt) but perhaps your challenge to complete it before the decade is out is more realistic!! Andy] |
| 14/05/2005 | 12:24 | Kim | Hi Andy, had the wonderful fortune to visit London at the end of March. What an amazing city, did lots of touristy stuff but enjoyed my boat ride on the Thames the most, I couldn't help thinking about your project and what a neat idea. Good luck with finishing....I took a few pics of your part of the world and added them to my site www.newfunland.ca...
[I'm really pleased you managed to make it to see London and the Thames - I'm glad you enjoyed yourself. Your site seems to be down at the moment so I can't check your pics - I'll keep popping back... Andy] |
| 09/05/2005 | 00:18 | re tessler, vancouver, canada | thinking of doing something similar. enjoyed your perspective. did you finish?
[Great to hear from you - no I've not finished yet but this summer I will. Definitely. Nothing can stop me. I'm going to do it. Honest!! Andy B] |
| 14/04/2005 | 21:38 | John | Hi - looks like you had a good time doing this project. We're doing a similar thing, sort of 'coast to coast' thing. Have walked from Avonmouth to Bath along the Avon, then full length of Kennet and Avon Canal to its entrance at the Thames at Reading. Last year we did Reading to Marlow. Starting Marlow to Winsor in May. This has taken 30 years (small children dont like walking, but now big children can be left home alone.) Cheers
[That's interesting - one of my possible plans after I finish the Thames Path (yes I will do one day!!) is to work from Reading to Bath via the Kennet and Avon canal. I hadn't thought of a coast to coast concept. Perhaps I could finish where you started? Anyway, must get the Thames done first. Hope you enjoy the remainder of your walk (with or without the kids!) Andy B] |
| 07/03/2005 | 13:14 | Myra Michie | I Love the pictures and will return many times to enjoy them. What a beautiful place we live in.
Really glad you like them! [Andy] |
| 13/02/2005 | 18:59 | Terry Pinnell | Give or take a few seconds, at the moment you were taking picture #999 on 12th August 2003, I was photographing the source at Thames Head:
http://dspace.dial.pipex.com/terrypin/Walks/TP03/Photos03.htm
--
Terry, West Sussex, UK
[Andy: Cool! Can I link to your page in the main body of the project site?]
|
| 06/02/2005 | 18:44 | Daria | Nice idea. When are you going to finish your walk? I would like to know what happens next.
[Andy: I've been so busy I've not had chance, but I really hope to be able to complete it this year. Maybe I'll also get the site re-done too! Note: while I haven't been able to get to the end of the Thames Path I have done lots of local walking along the Weybridge Navigation and Basingstoke canals etc - good walking there too.]
|
| 24/01/2005 | 08:51 | Danielle May | A Wonderful website - I was just doing a quick web-search looking for photos of the Thames source, but ended up staying here for hours! Thank you for sharing your experiences.
[Thanks for your comments. Glad you liked it! Andy] |
| 05/01/2005 | 21:52 | siobhan | Very interesting project. I am trying to find a cycle route along the thames from Chelsea to Westminster and found very little information on the internet. It seems that the Thames Path does not allow a lot of cyclists. I will continue to read the project with fascination
[Andy: Thanks for the comment. The Thames Path does in fact allow cyclists - I've seen a lot on my travels. I'll send you an e-mail with further info. Andy] |
| 19/11/2004 | 21:47 | Alexis Somarakis | Excuse the plug, but if your looking for excellent home made food, well kept ale, superb guest accomodation, we have it all, and were right on the Thames path, stop in at the Kingfisher Inn Shillingford.
[I stopped off at the Kingfisher Inn and enjoyed a very nice Country Sausage with Leak Mash so I don't mind the plug at all. I'll certainly pop in again on the way back! Andy.] |
| 10/11/2004 | 11:53 | J Newton | Planning a long term project to walk end-to-end. thanks for the introduction. will keep you posted if we do take off.
[Good luck - please do let me know how you get on. Andy] |
| 06/11/2004 | 09:26 | Charles Smith | Enjoyed the trip! |
| 13/09/2004 | 21:21 | Andrea | A fascinating site Andy, and I have enjoyed viewing your progress stage by stage and viewing the photos. Looking forward to seeing the last two! Good luck. [Andy: Thanks. I'm looking forward to getting the last stages done too. Not sure when yet, but I will get it finished!] |
| 12/09/2004 | 14:28 | Rowena | this is great. I have just started up walking again with my children and was looking for a site like this. We want to walk along the Thames path too we have done alot around the wandsworth up to Tower Bridge as we live local to that area and its great to see how much is becoming open to you in the city...anyone else out there walking in South London give us a shout [Andy: Thanks for your comments - enjoy your walking. I'll let you know when I get the site updated as I'm planning to allow other walkers to add their own diary entries...soon!]
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| 09/09/2004 | 13:05 | Martin Woodfine | Very interesting ; I'm planning a Hastings Ramblers outing Staines - Windsor (for early 2005) and the background info is quote handy. Nice work.
[Andy: Glad to be of help - let me know how your ramblers outing goes.] |
| 07/09/2004 | 02:33 | Eric and Steph de Villiers | We are walking the Thames Path, from the source to the sea. We are 60 and 56 years old, respectively, and go and walk every second weekend
if we can. We have found that accommodation is not always readily available, especially in summer, so advise others to plan and book ahead in the more rural areas-there have been times when we have had to walk further than is comfortable in order to reach a village with accommodation. Otherwise, are loving it! As a change from walking, we took a boat ride from Oxford to Abingdon, which was great. A good way to see the Thames from a different point of view.Good luck to you and all others doing this walk. [Andy: thanks for the comments and good advice. Enjoy your walking!] |
| 12/07/2004 | 12:14 | Nick Hackett | A very nice site. I'm looking forward to seeing pictures of Lechlade (I used to live there but now dwell in sunny Croydon S.London).
I'm planning to run the path from London to Lechlade and cycle back in a week for the British Heart Foundation. I have recently had some fairly major heart surgery (I'm not even 30 yet!!!) and would like to give something back. Your site has been very useful for planning stages. Thank you and well done! [Thanks for your comments - good luck with your charity efforts and I hope you are recovering well from your surgery. - Andy] |
| 11/07/2004 | 17:16 | Jon Combe | Hi Andy, good to see a few comments from you in this visitor's book, I was beginning to wonder if you'd given up walking the rest of the path! I've very much enjoyed your site and often used it to see what I will see on the next section of the path. I started walking the Thames Path at the beginning of this year, from the flood barrier to the source as you have done. I walked the section from Lechlade to Cricklade yesterday, so I only have a few miles to go to the source now! I'd agree with you about the walk on the road between Castle Eaton and Lechlade being unpleasant as it's a 60mph road for most of the length and without a pavement for most of it, so not much fun. Looking forward to the last section of the path! Not sure how you've split the walk into stages beyond Oxford, but I've done Oxford - Northmoor Lock, Northmoor Lock - Tadpole Bridge (then walking from there to Buckland for a bus back to Oxford), Tadpole Bridge - Lechlade and Lechalde to Cricklade. The parts of the path I enjoyed the most were through central London, between Bourne End and Henley and from Abingdon to Oxford, although most of it is very enjoyable. The least pleasant parts for me were the industrial area in South East London and the road walking between Lechlade and Castle Eaton. Interesting to watch the Thames become gradually more shallow and narrow beyond Oxford, although boats are a regular site as far as Lechlade. Looking forward to an update to the site when you complete the path!
Jon. [Thanks for your comments and sorry about the recent lack of action on my part. Things have just been too busy. I really hope to get the final stretches done this Summer - but I thought the whole thing would be done in 6 months so who am I to say! - Andy] |
| 06/07/2004 | 14:10 | LEN GODWIN. | Its me again,has anyone got any funny stories on there walk,i got chased by some cowes near kempsford.not funny.also the least interesting stretch it my view was probably between Castle Eaton and Lechlade where you have walk along busy main rd 2 miles,and you dont see the river for a long time.Has anybody else got any views, Hopefully I'll get the site redone before the end of this year so people can add their own diary entries... Andy |
| 06/07/2004 | 11:24 | LEN GODWIN | just want to say sorry for the capitals not used to the pc yet,happy walking folks. |
| 06/07/2004 | 10:46 | LEN GODWIN | HI.ANDY,MY NAMES LEN IM 51,JUST LOOKED AT YOUR WEB SITE VERY INTERSTING,I STARTED DOING THE WALK IN MAY 2004 ON MY OWN FROM SOURCE.I HAVE GOT AS FAR AS NEWBRIDGE ABOUT 14 MILES FROM OXFORD.I LIVE IN SWINDON SO ITS BEEN FAIRLY EASY SO FAR TO GET TO THE RIVER,BY BUS.I HAVE WANTED TO DO THE WALK FOR YEARS AND HAVE FIANALY FOUND THE TIME,AS I HAVE EVERY FRIDAY OFF.I LOVE YOUR PHOTOS OF THE PUB GRUB,I HAVE BEEN IN QUITE A FEW OF THE PUBS YOU HAVE VISITED IN THE LONDON AREA ,AS I ORIGINALLY CAME FROM BARNES SW13,BY THE RIVER.SO FAR HAVNT SEEN MANY WALKERS ON ROUTE,WHICH IS SURPRISING.I HAVE BEEN DOING ABOUT 10 MILES EVERY STAGE.I TO HAVE KEPT A DIARY AND PHOTOS OF MY JOURNEY.ANYONE WISHING TO JOIN ME FOR FUTURE WALKS ARE WELCOME. |
| 05/07/2020 | 15:32 | Sheila | Don't know how the date got mangled. Hope it won't take that long to complete! Ah! You've found one of the bugs in my programming! I have to nip in and correct the dates as it's quicker than trying to sort out the bug! I'll leave this date as 2020 in your honour. Andy. |
| 05/07/2004 | 15:30 | Sheila | Just found your site. Friend and I started walking source to London last spring (2003) and got as far as Lechlade. We try to park a car at one end of our stage and use public transport to get to/from car. We did the Severn Way a couple of years back and this system it worked quite well. We have not been as disciplined as you going when we could afford the time. Unfortunately, my friend cannot complete the Thames with me - so I needed a site like yours to get me motivated to start up again. Thanks a lot. Will come back and let you know how I got on. |
| 09/06/2004 | 13:57 | Stuart | Liked your site,we are doing it in reverse order to you. Started at Kemble March 2003 in stages. Walk 10 this weekend Pangborne to Caversham.We walked some of same weekends as you last year, very hot.However stunning relaxation. We are two married couples (2 60+ , other 2 catching up quick) One couple live on Thames at Chertsey, we live Chilterns near Thames Valley.Have not failed to find a decent pub, some great places on route from modest pubs to grand hotels.Best of luck keep on walking!! |
| 04/06/2004 | 23:37 | Ron, Concord Township, Ohio | Andy, thank you for taking the time and effort to put together this wonderful Thames diary. I'm looking at walking, Oxford to Windsor in July, 2005. Thanks again, Ron. |
| 23/05/2004 | 20:48 | Richard Wells | Andy, I found your narrative compelling. And your pictures are exceptional. We're doing the walk from source to barrier, but the Oxford-Lechlade section needs a bit of careful planning -- accommodation is scarce! Any advice?! Great pub in Cricklade, just up the main street from the Thames. Happy walking. |
| 13/04/2004 | 22:58 | Peter and Yvonne Chatfield | Like your site, must take the names of the pubs. We are walking another 70 miles of the path this year. So far we have done from Kemble(interesting) to Newbridge.
On this next stretch we are lucky we have friends to stay with.(Cuts the cost quite a bit) |
| 05/04/2004 | 16:56 | Ned | We're about half on our walk. Reading - Cholsey this weekend. Our journey is quite pub oriented and we are averaging just over a pub every 2.5 miles. |
| 22/03/2004 | 10:33 | Sara Roberts | Hi! We're also walking the Thames path in stages (weekend walks) like you! We're going the other way, though - and we've now passed each other! All the best with the remainder of the walks - those stages are very beautiful indeed. |
| 16/03/2004 | 21:32 | simon gale | Andy, really enjoyed your site. I was looking up walks along the thames as the thoughts been there for a couple of years about walking the lenght of the thames. I'm a christian and felt like it would be cool to do the walk and pray and meditate as I go. Although i don't walk much i could see where you were coming from when you said being in the countryside recharges your batteries. I thought I could do it in a weekend though, didn't realise it was 180+ miles. So I may do it in stages too, I'll probably do your pint at each pub rule as well. Thanks for the inspiration. Simon |
| 07/02/2004 | 22:13 | Jon Reay | Great site. I'm doing running training for the marathon this year and I find such varied routes along the thames. Thanks for providing some useful info. |
| 08/01/2004 | 12:29 | Kim | Hi, I think your project is a great idea and I would love to have the opportunity to visit and wlak in your step some day. if you want a virtual visit of someplaces in Newfoundland check out my "project" at www.newfunland.ca |
| 01/01/2003 | 13:20 | Mike Reid | and I forget to say you have some interesting photographic compositions. |
| 01/01/2003 | 13:18 | Mike Reid | We are fellow Thames path walkers, web-siters,
Good luck!
"http:www.fellwalk.co.uk/thames.htm" |
| 21/11/2003 | 08:34 | greg | like you i have walked from barrier along to chorsley so far, its the best way to get rid of stress,it takes me 20 miles a time but due to work i havnt done any bits since moving to ealing, starting up soon may see you along there. |
| 19/11/2003 | 14:24 | Mike Staples | Andy, great idea. I did it in reverse last year starting at the source in a blizzard on 23rd February and finishing in pouring rain on 30th December. My rules were a bit flexible but were: public transport to and from the path each time, take a picture of every bridge, have a beer if going past a pub at the right time and have fun. I now have a scribbled diary and a ton of photos, only the later ones on digital. I admire your planning for the project. |
| 06/11/2003 | 10:02 | Colin Spearman | Hi Andy.Having recently retired I have been walked the Thames Path between Kingston an Staines.Your excellent web site is inspiring me to broaden my horizons and attempt the full path in stages as you are doing. Well done |
| 19/09/2003 | 15:42 | Lynne | Enjoyed looking around your site. The pictures were beautiful. No plans on doing the walk (since I live in Ohio, USA) but enjoyed exploring with you. |
| 14/08/2003 | 14:10 | Sally Goodman | We started walking the Path from the source in March 2002, in stages, and finished at the Thames Barrier last Sunday, the hottest day on record. Just as we arrived, Concorde flew over, what a great way to finish. It's been a truly wonderful
experience. |
| 23/06/2003 | 12:14 | Avril Samuel | does anyone know who put the memorial to those animals killed by the cure for foot-and-mouth on the Thames Path near Greenwich? |
| 28/04/2003 | 22:06 | Joan and Ken | We started our own project this weekend. We walked from the source to Oxford in 3 days. 25 miles on Friday, 17 on Saturday and 14 on Sunday.
will be going back in August to do the next stage.
This time with a couple of friends doing about 15
miles a day. We are hooked. We met en route a couple that are walking each stage on a one day trip and made it from Greenwich to Lechlade in 18 months. We saw very few walkers on route. We are also making a photographic diary of our journey.
Good Luck Joan and Ken |
| 18/04/2003 | 23:33 | Humaira Ali | Hi Andy. Just started a similar walk today and did the stretch between Greenwich and Tower Bridge. Did the Woolwish to Greenwich last year. I think you took the path on the North side of the river. I went on the south side and have some pictures you can add to your collection. Best of luck with the whole thing. So many fascinating places to see and discover
Kind regards
Humaira |
| 12/04/2003 | 20:36 | Dan & Maureen | Great site
We`ve just started to explore the Thames Path, we started in Thamesmead and have got as far as Deptford. |
| 10/03/2003 | 16:21 | diane gordon | thanks will enjoy strolling along with you |
| 05/01/2003 | 16:48 | MVA & DJV | Hope to join you some time soon on your trek. Please arrange for some decent walking weather! |
| 06/12/2002 | 15:24 | T Mackenzie | A great idea and helpful for visitors planning a trip.
Cheers. |
| 03/12/2002 | 15:57 | Brett | Look forward to seeing it develop! Regards. |
| 18/11/2002 | 18:37 | Cheryl Bolam | A really interesting project. Great web site. Keep it up. |
| 03/11/2002 | 22:45 | Andy Bleach | Thanks for visiting the site. Please leave your comments. |