5 on a grey windy cool day. Three of us did the Thames Path from Moulsford. It soon became clear why we met no on comers as the path was completely flooded. After getting our boots filled, two of us escaped through the communal gardens of some flats, while the other soldiered on in water up to his knees. Meanwhile the other two enjoyed a good lunch in the Red Lion at Blewbury, eschewed the river bit, and enjoyed coffee and cakes in Pierpoints cafe. After draining my boots and squeezing out my socks, I enjoyed a nice pint in the Catherine Wheel before catching the 1622.

A select group of 3 emerged from the train at Cholsey in grey but dry conditions and set off on route to soon find number 4 who had taken an earlier train and made an effort to see the Agatha Christie grave -- but was turned back by a flooded field... On we went over the gently undulating terrain with nice views despite the clouds. All had lunch at the quirky Red Lion before continuing onwards again with fine views from the Ridgeway and limited mud.... On the decent to the Thames we noted that one of our party had dropped out of sight and assumed a short-cut had been found....Three carried on to the Beetle & Wedge arriving just as darkness fell...We enjoyed a quick drink then set-off along the Thames in very atmospheric darkness on a slightly slithery path....so decided to don head-torches.... Definite signs of recent flooding were seen -- but the route itself was passable -- just slippery in places... Then with the bridge to Goring insight about 40 meters of the final 100 up to the main road were flooded to mid-calf with no escape! So, 3 with very wet feet rejoined the fourth at the Miller of Mansfield for a warming and drying beverage before catching the 19:48.

This is a very enjoyable and varied walk with limited mud in winter....Although not mentioned in the walk notes -- there is a very clear and obvious shortcut to Goring along the Ridgeway that skips the Thames section....probably cutting out 2 miles or so...worth keeping in mind for winter postings.

Two off the train and one plus dog by motorcar.3 in cloudy am sunny pm . One lunched at the Red Lion and pronounced it fine. 1700 train back to the Great Wen.

7 walkers on the platform, with many other people getting off the train as well, one of which turned out to be a first-timer waiting for us at the station exit (all the way from Upminster). 1 other had arrived on an earlier train and was waiting outside, so 9. All but me residents of parishes north of the river. The weather started sunny, then some clouds came in, and for most of the time there was a cold wind. Mercifully we were on the low part of the walk while walking into the wind. The group split up into subgroups quite quickly, with the faster lot (all of them picknickers) only being caught at Blewbury church. One of them later joined the 4 lunchers in the pub for a drink and then went on one of several self-designed shortcuts. We saw him again briefly on the top of the downs.

The pub: fine. A short menu, but everything appeared to be freshly prepared and was very tasty. The views: clear and far, what with the cold wind and passing clouds. Mud: nothing really, until the Thames Path, then a short stretch with some mud, that was it. Seasonal flowers: plenty snowdrops, especially in Blewbury village, but also on some wooded fringes; a few celandines. Birds: kites everywhere, of course; many swans.

Us lunchers lost one of thr group to walking a bit slower, and overtook one of the picknickers. In Goring, the Miller in Mansfield pub was shut, and as were walking further up the High Street, it appeared touch-and-go whether we'd make the 16.48 train. We took out that torturing uncertainty by turning right to The Catherine Wheel pub. The TV was showing some strange sporting spectacle of sorts: lots of burly men deliberately bumping into each other while carrying an oversized egg across a meadow, but we found a quiet corner for a thirst quencher.

17.18 train for 4, 1 other on the next one. The three fast walkers on an earlier one. sunny then cloudy with a cold wind

Group Cohesion Factor: 4/10.

Anyone travelling from Ealing Broadway should allow extra time. You have to walk to the end of platform 4 to cross to platform 3. I'm assuming it will be the same on Sunday as today.

When I have done this walk in the past I have seen brown hares as you follow the valley path through Unhill Bottom. Hopefully they will still be there when you do the walk tomorrow,

5 off the train plus 1 car driver waiting in the subway.

Progressing at a good pace, we were in danger of getting to the lunch options in Blewbury before they even opened, but the (medium-intense) mud prevented that, and we rolled into The Red Lion at 10 past noon.

This has been massively transformed since I'd last been, into a very slick operation with slick looks and good food. Sensationally, they had 3 adjacent tables for us on the one side of the bar, without anyone else venturing into that area, so effectively we had our very own 'function room'. Staff were great, the menu enticing and all and sundry were very happy with their choices. 90 minutes later we left, knowing that the chances of finishing in darkness had risen from 'likely' to 'certainly'...

No need to worry much about it of course, as there is no sensible shortcut on this walk and the last half hour is along the Thames anyway with little risk of getting lost. Up onto the Downs and along the Gallops, then follow the Ridgeway, with the fog still not having lifted, so no views to speak of. Call it eerie, spooky or atmospheric: we all liked it. Needless to say there were very few others out and about (a couple picking sloes and a few dog walkers, that was about it).

Primed by the previous comment to be eagle-eyed on the ever so beautiful descent through Unhill Bottom to check for hares, we failed to see any, unfortunately. That may have been due to the pretty annoying noise emanating from beyond the trees on the left: a sound like chainsaws on speed, or off-road motorbikes (a race along The Fair Mile?). Pretty is was nevertheless, especially what with the mist rising from the trees. We passed the Beetle and Wedge at 10 past 4 as the light started to fade.

Having seen three donkeys on the slopes of Blewburton Hill, the only other animals worth noting were now a couple of herons on the Thames and then a ca. 150 piece strong flock/shoal/flight/group of ducks, serenely moving upstream. The Thames Path being what it is, a well-trodden highway, the lack of light didn't really matter, and it never got pitch-dark anyway, so that we reached Streatley in safety at 5 to 5, conceding that the 17.00 train was now out of reach.

The Swan at Streatly is no more, of course, as it is now - after a multi-year re-fit - a 'Coppa Club' outfit (6 branches, incl. Tower Bridge). We did manage to wangle our way into it though, to a six-seater section by a fireplace for some warm drinks and puddings (no alc pls w/o a substantial meal). 18.00 train.

A superior day in very good company.

6 foggy

This is one of the few walks in SE England where you have a good chance of seeing brown hares. Its the valley path along Unhill Bottom which is en route to what was Starveall Farm but is now some sort of holiday lodge? They are usually on the steep slopes to your right often near the tree line. You reach the valley after about 11m. The last time I did this walk in the high summer of 2016 there was also a brilliant display of poppies in the valley but the land use changes here a fair bit and its probably too early in the year

Weather was sunny hot turning humid later 7 got off the train and we set off. And that’s all I can tell you. The other six were never seen again. (Twilight Zone music). The Red Lion was searched – no sign. Where had they gone? To this day no-one knows. It's as if they walked off the face of the earth.

The directions could do with at least one tweak. Where it says “head down to the right of Lower Chance Farm buildings” they should really say “head down to the right of the solitary light coloured shed”. There’s no buildings plural, there no sign of a farm and an inexperienced walker could be forgiven for thinking they had gone the wrong way. A really inexperienced walker might even trudge back up to the evergreens to check.

Any sign of hares Mr Tiger?

Didn't see no hares. Maybe they split. Split gettit? Hares.

But tbh I didn't go that way. I stayed on the Ridgeway into Streatley.

(Although according to noticeboards they can also be seen from the Ridgeway)

Anyone starting later and getting on at Ealing Broadway>

Three on the early slow train and three others on the delayed later fast train and Reading connection so 6 in all. A gently undulating walk and a favourite of mine- but on a hot day a bit of a grind especially along the ridgeway - but with classic wide-open vistas with the grass and other plants growing profusely. But the highlights were seeing brown hares again at Unhill Bottom and most surprisingly a stupendous carpet of poppies which your path along the valley bottom takes you through. (I'll post a photo on the walk pages.) Yellowhammers heard but not seen, (we had a bird expert) a flock of house martins near farm buildings and loads of kites and buzzards particularly along the final Thames path stretch where grass cutting was being done.

Three of us met up at the Beetle and Wedge for refreshments. A near perfect early summers day out but a slightly lower temperature would have been nicer. Wather warm sunny and humid .

One point I forgot to add earlier is that the SWC gpx file for this walk gives a flat length of 24.13 km - 15.08m a mile longer than posted.

At first we were 10; then 8; then 6; then 3 -- sounds a bit like an Agatha Christie novel -- though no one to my knowledge paid homage in Cholsey. We set off under initially dark and moody clouds changing to warm sunshine by lunch . This walk makes for a great long mid-summer's outing with vast skies, rolling hills and fields and fine views. Lunch was superb -- even earning a commendation from the SWC's official lunch pub reviewer and drinks at Mouslford along the Thames provided just the restorative balance required for the pleasant early evening saunter along the Thames to Goring. The only snag occurring just a stone's throw from Paddington when 4 were congratulating themselves on the efficient transfer to a fast train at Reading -- the train came to a sudden and unexpected stop.....for two hours....fortunately, the café car had adequate supplies to replenish our exhausted stocks....A fun day out in good company...

Excellent lunch of Thai fish soup at the recommended pub and great service to match from the new South African manager. Also note that the Swan hotel at Streatly is still undergoing a massive refurbishment but that access is maintained by the road behind.There is still tea and cakes along the river bank. Having elected to remain on the stopping train for Ealing I was advised to detrain at West ealing where I caught 2 buses home. Glad I made the best decision for me.

I plan to go.

Forecast deteriorated, so change of plan.

Two of us ventured forth and did this somewhat challenging walk. We stopped for lunch at the lovely restaurant at Aston Tyrrell where we had the starter and desert . No main course.Absolutely delightful food and good company.

We did have slight trouble with a little wind and rain up at start of the Ridgeway but it was a lovely energising walk which I thoroughly enjoyed.jfk

6

hot sun

Exposed hot walk with little breeze to cool on a relentlessly sunny and humid day. All refreshment stops visited by most walkers.

sounds horrendous ?!

Managed to short circuit some of the really exposed part by visiting the first refreshment stop which was at aston tirrold . It turned out to be a foodie pub and proper restaurant. I had the wild mushroom soup which was served with a red nasturtium on top. Not to be missed but pricey if you have a main course.

would say well worth it if you feel like splashing out.jfk the hostess will look after you if you ring ahead to let her know.

It is possible to shorten this walk by staying on the Ridgeway and going straight down to Goring (at point 7 in the directions where others may be turning left passed metal gates, on the Moulsford loop.)

It is possible to lengthen this walk by staying on the Thames Path and going straight down to Pangbourne (at the end of the walk).

I would love to do this walk but have tickets to a show at 7.30- any chance of making it back ie making it shorter?

K

If your idea of a "tea stop" involves tea (and cake) and not beer, there is a lovely café in Goring called "Pierrepont"; I've been there a couple of times ... very good cakes, but it does close at 5pm.

The Swan in Goring, by the bridge, has a terrace on the river for drinks, food, or a rather formal Afternoon Tea malarky. Also now a cafe cum deli next door in a refurbished out-building with one or two much fought over tables on a small balcony over the river. The Beetle and Wedge will not be open when we pass.

9 sunny

nine walkers arrived in dribs and drabs due to signalling problems at Ealing B'way leading to cancellations and delays on FGW all day long. bus chaos outside P'ton didn't (the Fire Brigade was attending to the Aberdeen Steak House on Praed Street).

6 on the delayed posted train, 3 others on the even more delayed next train. briefly united at lunch. then 2 of the first group waited half-way through the afternoon for the 3 backmarkers to form a wining and dining group:

having surprisingly being served tea at The Beetle & Wedge on their Thames-side pontoon (on the last 2 outings this was shut in the afternoon), we then also had drinks and dinner at The Swan in Streatley (not cheap) and then another drink at one of the Goring pubs (one of the ones on Station Road, name escapes me).

22.19 train (or some such). directions, while many years old, stood up well.

very pleasant walk, very pleasant company.

not sure there was a net-loss of calories on the day, though...

...didn't help...