The Thames Path: Epilogue in London

We had two days in London to wrap up our nine-day adventure along the Thames. Walking nearly one hundred miles from Reading to Woolwich had given us a new perspective on London and it was fun to spend a couple of days in the capital doing more activities that we had not previously done. WeContinue reading “The Thames Path: Epilogue in London”

The Thames Path Day 9: Tower Bridge to Woolwich

Our final day’s walk was enhanced with a visit to the Crown Jewels and disrupted with a thunderstorm. We walked under the Thames from London’s new financial district to its historical naval centre: Greenwich. It was fun starting the day right next to Tower Bridge. We started by checking out the Crown Jewels in TheContinue reading “The Thames Path Day 9: Tower Bridge to Woolwich”

The Thames Path Day 8: Barnes to Tower Bridge

It was fascinating to walk this section of the river and see so many sights in one day. We were surprised by the number of open green spaces and how the character changed as we passed each bridge. The forecast had been rainy all day but we caught only a couple of showers that wereContinue reading “The Thames Path Day 8: Barnes to Tower Bridge”

The Thames Path Day 7: Kingston upon Thames to Barnes

I had expected this to be very similar to the previous day but it was surprisingly different. On the downside, a collapsed path by Kew Gardens forced a detour on the north bank which added a mile, making it about a 13-mile day. On the plus side, the impact of tides on the the ThamesContinue reading “The Thames Path Day 7: Kingston upon Thames to Barnes”

The Thames Path Day 6: Chertsey to Kingston upon Thames

A day without the big headlines was still a great day of enjoying the river and a detour. Most of the day was a gentle stroll alongside the peaceful river as it continued on its eastward journey. Some more deer sightings were a highlight, and we took the smallest ferry across the river. We hadContinue reading “The Thames Path Day 6: Chertsey to Kingston upon Thames”

The Thames Path Day 5: Windsor to Chertsey

What a full day this was! Our sixteen-mile walk started at Windsor Castle, and our stroll along the Long Walk through Windsor Great Park took us past many mature deer. We were reminded how small we are by the Air Force Memorial, the acre of land gifted to the US after JFK’s assassination, and theContinue reading “The Thames Path Day 5: Windsor to Chertsey”

The Thames Path Day 4: Cookham to Windsor

It was always going to be difficult for day 4 to beat day 3. The weather was fine but not quite as sunny. It was peaceful walking along the river, albeit in somewhat of a green tunnel at times. Then we popped out of the tunnel in Eton, and there was Windsor Castle right inContinue reading “The Thames Path Day 4: Cookham to Windsor”

The Thames Path Day 3: Aston to Cookham

Everything came together well to make this our best day on the Thames so far. The weather was great and the scenery was better. Highlights included a herd of hundreds of deer and fantastic reflections off the early-morning Thames. We were on the trail before 8am. The hotel’s breakfast was pricey and not available early,Continue reading “The Thames Path Day 3: Aston to Cookham”

The Thames Path Day 2: Reading to Aston

We enjoyed a fine day along the river, sampling the quaintness of Sonning and the history of Henley, with a few light rain showers separated by sunny spells. The Thames was cool, from a swan’s runway to the biggest weir I’ve ever seen. A couple of diversions contributed to the 14.3 mile day but addedContinue reading “The Thames Path Day 2: Reading to Aston”

A Prelude of September: The Thames Path and Los Picos de Europa

I usually write blogs during or after our adventures to share the experience with friends and family and to help preserve the memory. I’m using this prelude to help get multiple trips straight. We are undertaking two very different excursions with multiple travel companions with some underlying uncertainty. Here is what you can expect toContinue reading “A Prelude of September: The Thames Path and Los Picos de Europa”

Southern Cotswold Way: Day 5

This was our final day of walking as we completed the final leg from Toghill House Farm to Bath. It was a fine day with many views in great weather. We watched Bath get bigger as we approached. As we entered the city, we felt the presence of more people as we had to navigateContinue reading “Southern Cotswold Way: Day 5”

Southern Cotswold Way: Day 4

Team Sloth was back to full strength for the hike from The Dog Inn in Old Sodbury to Toghill House Farm near Cold Ashton. Our motto, “we will get there when we get there,” rang true. Today’s highlights centered around rest stops and food which suggests there was some fatigue! The landscape changed from woodedContinue reading “Southern Cotswold Way: Day 4”

Southern Cotswold Way: Day 3

The previous day’s heat claimed one victim in our group and today was another hot one as we walked from The Swan in Wotton-under-Edge to The Dog in Old Sodbury. It wasn’t a day of dramatic landmarks, but I knew it was a good one when Texan Max described the day as “a lovely walkContinue reading “Southern Cotswold Way: Day 3”

Southern Cotswold Way: Day 2

Three steep climbs on a blistering hot day made just finishing the 11 miles from Coaley Peak to Wotton-under-Edge a very satisfying accomplishment. The day’s highlight was the Tyndale Monument recognizing local man William Tyndale who was burned at the stake in 1536 after publishing his English translation of the Bible. We also enjoyed cows,Continue reading “Southern Cotswold Way: Day 2”

Southern Cotswold Way: Day 1

A great first day’s hike of about 11 miles from Painswick to Frocester climbing about 1400 ft in about 6.5 hours. The day’s challenge was the 80 degF (27 degC) but we persevered and loved the clear views off the edge of the escarpment, the peacefulness of the woodlands, and the fun of spending timeContinue reading “Southern Cotswold Way: Day 1”

Southern Cotswold Way: Day 0

Our England adventures with the Sems and Townsends start with hiking the southern half of the Cotswold Way. Before starting a hike, there is always getting to the start, and that was this day. The travel was as uneventful as anyone could wish for. We did a short warm up hike to blow off someContinue reading “Southern Cotswold Way: Day 0”

England with the Sems and Townsends: A Prelude

This is a prelude to our next trip. Please follow us on this adventure by subscribing so you are the first to read about what we are up to. If you know Dean or Max, you know there will be mischief. This is a three-stage adventure with Dean and Tracy Townsend and Stephanie and MaxContinue reading “England with the Sems and Townsends: A Prelude”