We’ve not been able to do a leg of the path since late April. The reasons for this are twofold: firstly, it was very hot over the summer— too hot for us to want to walk; and secondly, I got plantar fasciitis in my right foot, making walking painful, so there has been quite a long layoff.
This has meant that we haven’t made the progress that we were hoping for but the intention is still to try and get to Oxford by the end of the year, which should be doable if the weather remains mild.
Now, after a summer of foot exercises, I am (almost) back to normal, well, my foot is at any rate, and we are able to resume our walk.
One Seventh Down
We took the train out to our starting point of Cholsey and headed towards the river. Today’s leg was only a short seven miles, the first mile of which was the walk from Cholsey station to the river. One down six to go…
It’s a nice time of year to be walking as it is reasonably warm still and the leaves are beginning to turn making an attractive backdrop. However, it has been pretty wet over the last week and it was muddy under foot making it a squelchy, slippery and slower walk.
Of course, there was the inevitable blockage on the route, this time at Benson Weir, which seems to have been closed for years, although they do seem to be actively working on it. This time though, rather than any long and tedious diversion, there was an option to get the small ferry from Benson Lock to Benson Marina – a journey of less than five minutes. This saved a long diversion, was attractive, allowed us a short sit down and was only two pounds. Result!
Just close to the end of the walk the heavens opened but we’d come suitably prepared and it didn’t affect us much and by the time we’d reached the bus stop it was full sunshine again. It was good to be back on the path and one step closer to our destination.
To Date
Day: 14
Start: Cholsey
End: Shillingford
Distance: 6.97 miles
Cumulative: 115.93miles
To go: 70 miles