It’s always the same when I start off on one of these trips, so many concerns; will the train be running, have I got everything, am I up to it, what will the weather do, are there are any path closures / diversions (one to research en route) and a new one recently, will there be any emergencies back at home. But as soon as I left the house it felt great to be out, jogging down to Epsom for the 6:49 am train to Reading via Guildford which was on time. And that’s the thing, every step taken is a step closer to completing the challenge.

After reaching Reading I still had a mile back to Horseshoe Bridge, where I had finished back in March and started on the Kennet and Avon canal in April. So it’s my third and final time here this year, and probably in my life as you can probably gauge from the photo below, I can’t say that I’d be disappointed never to go back.

Running past Caversham Bridge reminded me of when I briefly worked in an office overlooking the Thames in August 2015. I know it was late August as I clearly remember all types of students carrying and wheeling tents, drink and no doubt some food from the station along the riverside to the Reading festival site. I know where I would rather have been.

My fears of a muddy and wet route were generally unfounded as I headed up to Tilehurst, although there were a few puddles. There were also a few rowers out.

Crossing the railway to reach the road the route then took me through Purley-on-Thames, a relatively new estate, with BMWs, identical gardens and no doubt 2.2 children. That said I did meet the first of several Thames ‘Pathers’ doing it from source to sea.

On the next section from Mapledurham Lock to Pangbourne Meadows I had three encounters with uncontrolled dogs, very keen to swiftly make their acquaintance with me, the third and worst being large brown Great Dane whose owner was actually a very cheerful runner. As I’ve said before I do like dogs, but I hate uncontrolled dogs and unapologetic owners. Pangbourne itself was pretty like many of the Berkshire villages with quaint houses, a nice church and a rare toll bridge across one of the many narrow bridges crossing the Thames.

I was hoping for a coffee stop in Goring / Streatley but there was nowhere obvious and ditto for Moulsford. About this time I noticed a canal boat in the distance. Given that the maximum speed on the Thames is 8kph (5mph), it was a good motivational target and I indeed caught and passed it before reaching Wallingford where I stopped for a leisurely wrap and a pint of shandy at the Boathouse after @20 miles. I find shandy an enjoyable way of replacing lost fluids.

My ‘on-train’ research had revealed that Benson Lock 1 mile upstream was closed and hence there was a road diversion in place. However, it was not particularly appealing and while I did briefly consider ignoring it, it did seem fairly major work so I pounded the tarmac for a couple of miles (and it was the right decision as per the photo below).

From a weather perspective it had been dry and sunny albeit with a 40mph blustery headwind, crosswind and tailwind, depending on my direction of travel.

It was during this time that I passed through an Earth Trust area, whose mission is ‘to inspire people to address climate, biodiversity and wellbeing with the power of natural green spaces’ (Home – Earth Trust https://earthtrust.org.uk/).

I arrived at Abingdon @5pm after about 34 miles (and 79,500 steps) which included a few diversions, just scraping over my 4mph target. Luckily the riverside cafe was still open for my first tea of the day with a large slice of coffee and walnut cake – just what I needed. A hasty booking as part of the quick planning for the trip meant that I needed to catch a bus to my accommodation, but more inconveniently it would limit my start time tomorrow.

So what’s the verdict on the day. Firstly, in advance of a big day tomorrow I feel ok, especially after a good meal at the Barley Mow in Clifford Hampton and donning my compression socks. As for the route it was nice up to Benson, but although scenic it became very ‘sameish’ for the last 10 miles, generally along field edges, with occasional glimpses of the river. I suspect that this will be the norm from now on. It was also a bit familiar, especially when I reached Abingdon as I think I recce’d the Thames Path 100 route to Oxford before doing the curtailed event in 2013 due to flooding. However it was good to be able to continue my running fitness from where I left off in May and clear my head.