Outside Kemble
0km
Hi there from the not-exactly-first edition of Thames Rambling, a pop-up newsletter chronicling my exploits along the Thames Path from source to its official finish. The actual walk starts tomorrow, and nine days suddenly seem a lot longer than usual.
I am on-site, recovering from my first pub dinner, of which there shall be many more to come.
By the time I walked through the lot of the aptly named Thames Head Inn, it was pitch black outside. Arriving in a new travel location during the night is magical. Waking up and stepping outside into a landscape previously hidden from view is as close to teleportation as any of us will likely ever get. The night of arrival turns into a surreal dream — the morning into a true new beginning.
The pub is an authentic traditional goodie: crackling fireplace, hops hanging from wooden beams, maps and elevation profiles of the nearby Thames Severn Canal decorate the wobbly walls between now-electrified gas lamps. The place is brimming with locals having a jolly Friday night out. Oddly, there is no music which has the delightful effect that folks all around speak to each other in hushed voices as if prohibition agents might barge in any second.
Earlier today, I called ahead to check for any reports on the trail’s condition. The segment between here and Oxford is known to flood frequently, and I was not keen on having my boots sucked off my feet by a waterlogged bog. Despite the less than rosy weather those past few days, we got an all-clear. After three months of planning, it seems as though we might actually be good to go.
Before I ventured to bed, the gentleman behind the bar showed me a shortcut to the trailhead. Where he pointed, all I could make out was a horizon in the dark. We’ll set off at first light.
See you tomorrow,
Tom
Just a horizon in the dark
Off you go!! Have fun :)
Is the “snake” on the pillar of the image of the pub a depiction of your path?
Sending greetings and best wishes to this wondrous adventure.
Thank you for sharing your insights and your view with me!
I look forward to being part of the trip.