Day 5 Tadpole Bridge to Cricklade

Almost there and weather has been kind !

It’s , however,a wet start …lots of drizzle !
Rushey lock is the first obstacle with its ancient paddles ! Then it’s Radcot bridge and I spend a long time away from the river! Back near the river is Kelmscott manor which used to have William Morris as a resident and his grave in the churchyard .
It’s another slog with no river but things improve at Buscot village and church and it’s pre- Raph Burne Jones windows!!
Reaching St. John’s lock and a glimpse of Lechlade , church and it’s Halfpenny bridge .
I eventually reach the odd Round House - which marks the end of navigation and was previously a toll booth ? The church at Inglesham is very impressive with it’s old wooden pew boxes .
Another meandering section is dealt with and then I am directed away from the Thames again for several miles!
I finally see the river again which is much smaller in width and strength near Castle Eaton and get a welcome lunch in the Red Lion , a Georgian inn describing itself as the first pub on the Thames ! Beyond here I weave with the river all the way to Cricklade , the last stop before the source and the church’s landmark tower looms over the town . The Ceiling of the tower of Sampsons church is very impressive ! Strangely the Catholic Church is older and boasts a Norman chancel arch !
Another 19 miles and just the last 12 miles to do tomorrow !Read more