Thames Path walk day 2 travel day 18

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3 September 2019, Tuesday
Day 18 of travel, day 2 on Thames Path, Ewen to Crichlade.

After breakfast at the Thames Head Inn we took the taxi to Ewen, where we started our walk along the Thames Path. This is where we had left off yesterday. The walk was across grassy meadows and fields, dodging left and right, as the the river snaked its way through the valley.

We passed by some stately Cotswold stone homes and fences. This stone is a creamy yellow colour. There are beautiful flowers in the gardens and along the path. The river through here is only a small ripple of water and pools. We came to our first mini weir and several groups of swans. The partially cloudy sky provided some great reflection of the trees and clouds where the water was visible through the plants in the river bed.

We stopped after about two and a half hours of walking having come just over 4 of our 9.5 mile day at the White Hart Inn for a rest and food. This village of Ashton Keynes has four crosses throughout the village with the tops cut off. They are called 'preaching crosses,' marking where people would gather to hear priests or monks preach.

From here the walk seemed very long, through the many lakes of the Cotswold Water Park, Cleveland Lake, and Elmlea Meadow. The Cotswold Water Park is a watery wonderland and at times we are on a narrow path between two lakes, one on the left, one on the right. At times we have overarching trees and cannot see all the water but sense it's presence.

We follow an abandoned rail path into Crichlade. At last we arrived at the Red Lion Inn. We all had dinner and went to bed.

This Red Lion Inn, early 1600s, has provided us with one of the best meals so far. Norma and Jo split a chicken pot pie that they rave about and Harlan and I share sea bass. They bring 'bloomin' bread,' rather sweet, and made on the premises, in a flowerpot.

The Garmin watch showed over 10 miles for the day.

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Photos

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Sign post at start of days walk in Ewen.

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The girls at the beginning

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Lots of gorgeous flowers

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Path along diminutive Thames and the trees that grow along it.

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One of larger pools of river with reflection of the trees and clouds.

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Another view of the path

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Numerous bridges. The water is actually flowing here.

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Alongside the wide river path

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Beyond Karen a very narrow opening in the fence.

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Preserves for sale with honor system cup

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White Hart Inn for lunch

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One of the preaching crosses. Top off.

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All the cottages have names. This one with great flowers.

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Signs along the lakes.

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And meadows

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The old rail path

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Dinner and some rest.