The Lady Rambler

25/05/2026

As I look back on the walk that was, I thought I'd share some behind the scenes.

Those of you who are long distance walkers will already know all about this - on a long trip washing still has to be done, stretching is mandatory, eating on a budget means being able to stay out there walking for longer, and it's always a great moment when you find a public toilet.

I was not as fit as I could have been when I started my journey but one of the good things is it pushes you to keep going and I've ended up much stronger at the end - hills don't even scare me now!

And would I do it all again? Of course - the joy is worth any inconveniences.

23/05/2026

My Thames Path journey has come to an end, here, at this very unassuming gate just outside Cricklade (that's what happens when you don't go all the way to the source I suppose!).

I have been saying it was 166 miles based on some online distance calculations, there's no way to be sure, but I'm sticking with it.

17 sections walked:
* Battersea Bridge to Kew
* Kew to Richmond
* Richmond to Hampton
* Hampton to Shepparton
* Shepparton to Staines
* Staines to Windsor
* Windsor to Cookham
* Cookham to Marlow
(detour into The Chilterns for a few days)
* Henley to Pangbourne
* Pangbourne to Goring
* Goring to Shillingford
* Shillingford to Abingdon
* Abingdon to Oxford
(a few nights in Oxford)
* Oxford to Newbridge
* Newbridge to Kelmscott
* Kelmscott to Castle Eaton
* Castle Eaton to Cricklade

Along the way I've stayed at riverside pubs, on a boat and in a shepherds hut. I've passed through many gates, over bridges and past signposts. I've seen hundreds of swans, geese and ducks, as well as boats, boaters and other walkers.

It's a fabulous trail and I loved every minute.

Thanks to Walk the Thames for delivering my bag so it was there waiting for me at every stop.

Thanks to Thames Path National Trail and Voice of the Thames for everything they do to champion the Thames Path and also fo sharing my posts.

Thanks to everyone who has followed along and commented - as a solo walker I've never felt alone and it's given me purpose to post every day. I have so much content still to sort through so will share more over time.

But wait, there's more...now I'm off to the Cotswolds! Stay tuned...

19/05/2026

Really enjoyed my visit to Blenheim Palace. I was a bit worried it would feel over-touristed but, while it was busy, I was still able to lose myself wandering the garden and grounds.

The interiors are of course impressive but I was most struck by the 'Below Stairs Experience' which includes a large number of rooms, including the kitchen, scullery and servants dining area fitted out just as they would have been in the palace's heyday.

My favourite part of the grounds was the secret garden which is a peaceful place to sit for a while.

19/05/2026

Took some time off the Thames Path to rest and explore Oxford. I didn't get to any actual Harry Potter filming locations but the whole place feels like Hogwarts.

Most of these shots are from Magdalen College which was nice and quiet with lots of freedom to wander around.

You can also get a joint ticket to visit the Oxford University Botanic Gardens across the road.

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