Thames Path

Windsor → Walton-on-Thames

Distance: 15.92 miles
Ascent: 46 metres
Duration: 4 hours 51 minutes

A birthday walk
« Not walked | Not walked »

You can tell we're heading towards the darkest night of the year; the day felt like a permanent dusk. It's been soggy, drizzly and grey, as if the sun couldn't see the point of bringing us any light.

Still, we're keen to try and complete the Thames Path this year so trudged on regardless.

There doesn't seem much to write about. Runnymead held no particular fascination, and the less said of Staines (even with its recent "-upon-Thames" appendage) the better.

The one point of interest was the sole ferry we'll take on this National Trail, from Shepperton to Weybridge. We'd just missed one service when we arrived at the pontoon, but a friendly man quickly arrived to take us across. "I couldn't watch you wait another quarter of an hour," he said, gesturing to the skies. He was a glimmer of sunshine before we departed back into the grey.

Coastwalk

Rock → Padstow

Distance: 12.94 miles
Ascent: 296 metres
Duration: 3 hours 12 minutes

England Again
« Polzeath | Harlyn »

"Wait. Aren't you done with England? Isn't that what February 2014 was about?"

Indeed. They're fair questions. While I may have completed the contiguous route around this province's coastline back then, there are plenty of refinements to make.

For a start, there are the ferries. At a minimum there's the Afon Wsyg, River Taw, Helford River, Carrick Roads and Percuil River, River Fowey, Cremyll/Stonehouse Narrows, River Yealm, River Avon (Devon), Kingsbridge Estuary, Dartmouth Harbour, River Exe, Poole Harbour, River Crouch and Shields Harbour (River Tyne). There's plenty more coastwalking yet!

We've been staying in Wadebridge for a few days this week, walking to Padstow daily on the wonderful Camel Trail — a cycle path that runs along the south side of the Camel Estuary. The Padstow Christmas Festival is in full swing, and although I've very much enjoyed the time I've spent there I'm having a day off from eating food samples, leaving Emma there to enjoy the cookery demos while I walk up and down the river.

The north side of the estuary doesn't have a good walking route, so I spent most of the first half on country lanes. Recent heavy rain made the brief footpath interludes far from appealing with paths flooded to the depth of a foot or more and meadows waterlogged. Not fun.

From Wadebridge I was on familiar ground, having got to know this section very well over recent days. There was one surprise though: I caught up with the stragglers on the "Santa vs Rudolf" fun run/ride, which meant I began to regret wearing my scruffy beard and red walking top lest I be mistaken for a participant!