I woke up with a new problem to distract me from the 41 miles I needed to run to Lechlade. My phone had only charged up to 45% overnight. The charging plug I had hastily grabbed on my departure was probably a trickle charger; one to investigate on my return.

After a quick breakfast I left to wait for the first 45 bus of the day to Abingdon. Despite the traffic, it arrived on time and although it was jam-packed with school kids, the driver kindly let me on to stand beyond the yellow line. A plan to use the bus’s USB connection was dashed, but only until the first school was reached which allowed me to get a few more percent.

Getting off in town @8am I wandered down to the bridge. Being vaguely familiar with the route from 12 years ago (or so I thought), I started off on the southern bank across a neatly maintained grassy area with dog walkers and joggers. The route took me out across the grassland through wooded areas and along field edges. However, approaching a railway line after about half an hour there was no obvious post, stile, gate or marker showing the route. The riverside was fairly overgrown and walking up the hill away from the river the railway was in a steep cutting and there was no way across. I was on the wrong side. Should I run back to Abingdon Bridge and start again on the side or explore ‘options’. I chose the latter given the long day and after making my way down to the bridge abutment was encouraged to see a narrow walkway alongside the railings.

I got across fine but initial euphoria about finding a solution, was quelled by the overgrown wooded area, although there were signs of human presence with evidence of a small fire and some litter. I pushed on following a vague and instinct path through brambles and nettles which eventually took me up to a forest trail and emerged at the Carfax Monument, an unexpected bonus (Carfax Conduit, Oxford).

Being on a hill provided great views, but unfortunately no obvious paths up to Sandford-on-Thames, where I was targeting. Therefore the next 45 minutes was taken up walking along the edge of farmers fields, cutting through hedgerows and dry ditches to eventually reach some human habitation and re-join the Thames Path. Not what I wanted at the start of a long day, but at least I was back on route.

I headed up into Oxford, via a diversion around Sandford bridge, past some amusing street art (Thames Water aren’t very popular in Oxford) to emerge at Osney bridge where not only is Thames Water replacing a large water main (unfortunately there were no Thames Path diversion signs approaching from downstream), Network Rail are working alongside improving the pedestrianisation. No wonder the people of Oxford are unhappy.

Previous research had identified Osney Bridge as my last guaranteed food stop, so I followed all the diversions to get some sandwiches from the station. Leaving Osney Bridge at 11am after just 9 miles was frustrating (and with the uncertainty of other possible mistakes / diversions). I broke the remaining 32 miles down into smaller stages, aiming for an average of 4mph. Thankfully my legs were ok, provided I ate. I left Oxford via Port Meadows, ancient fields with wild ponies, on my way up to Swinford Bridge and Eynsham Bridge.

Before my navigational incompetence I had been targeting a pub at Newbridge for some lunch after 24 miles. However, arriving at 2:30pm I was fearing the worst, but the Rose Revived was still serving til 4pm and provided an excellent vegan tart, new potatoes and salad and shandy. I nearly ordered a triple cheese toastie until I remembered by cholesterol levels. The pub also provided an interesting summary of the local history.

The food and rest did the trick and provided a base load of energy, complimented by a few sweet snacks and gels and also free apples left outside waterside properties (one of the unexpected benefits of autumn trips). After passing Radcot Lock and Father Thames at St Johns Lock I finally made it to Lechlade for 7pm after at least 41 miles and some 87,000 steps.

I knew that it would be a hard day, without making a bit harder for myself by getting lost at the start. At times like these I often think about the film Clockwise, and the hopelessness of being knee deep in brambles and stinging nettles and whether I’d ever get out. It is probably one of the reasons that I travel alone, so it’s all down to me, there’s no-one else to blame and I’m not subjecting anyone else to it. The contrarian view would be that if others were around, perhaps I wouldn’t get lost.

Reflecting on the day over my lasagne and pint, I had planned a big day so that I could finish early on Day 3 and get a train home. However with heavy rain forecast overnight and all day tomorrow, I’m very glad that I ‘only’ have 23 miles to do.