Pete's Walks - Goring and Mapledurham (page 4 of 4)
I followed the clear bridleway through Hartslock Wood, which dropped downhill slightly then contoured round the wooded valley side, with the Thames now a short distance down to my left. As I followed the bridleway through the wood I looked out for and soon spotted Greater Celandine - this is the only place I remember seeing it. Beyond the wood the bridleway continued between hedges, now heading northwest. When the bridleway approached Gatehampton Manor, I turned left on a path between paddocks that led a short distance south to the river.
The bridleway through Hartslock Wood
The bridleway through Hartslock Wood
Looking across the Thames from Hartslock Wood
The bridleway continuing from Hartslock Wood
The bridleway approaching Gatehampton Manor
Footpath to the river Thames, near Gatehampton Manor
The path turned right to follow the riverbank towards Goring. It soon passed under Brunel's bridge carrying the Great Western Railway across the Thames. It then passed through a small meadow, a nature reserve, and then entered a large pasture or meadow. The paths throughout the walk had been very muddy after the unseasonably wet weather we have had recently, and there were a couple of very muddy bits here. But worse was to come as I went through a kissing gate into the next pasture - I had no option but to wade several yards through a few inches of almost liquid mud. The path carried on beside the river, now curving from west to east with wooded slopes now on the opposite bank.
Path beside the Thames, near Gatehampton Manor
Brunel's GWR bridge across the Thames
The Thames-side path continuing towards Goring
The Thames-side path continuing towards Goring
The Thames-side path continuing towards Goring
Through another kissing gate the riverside path continued, now with garden fences on my right and the river just feet away on my left. Along here I spotted a Treecreeper, the first I've seen for a very long time. After about half a mile I reached the bridge over the Thames between Goring and Streatley, where I turned right and followed the road into the centre of Goring, turning right down a short alley to reach the car park.
The Thames-side path approaching Goring
The Thames-side path approaching Goring
The Thames at Goring
Goring
This was an enjoyable walk, though I'd have enjoyed it more if the paths had been less muddy or the skies had been less grey. Weather-wise this has been a miserable year so far, and I'm beginning to get a bit fed up of it. I'm sure I've never had to wear my gaiters so late on in the year before, but they've been essential on the last few walks because of all the mud. At least the sun made a brief attempt to put in an appearance in the afternoon, and it did stay dry (apart from a few spots of rain both as I was leaving Goring in the morning and as I returned to Goring). As I've said before, this walk consists of two nicely contrasting halves, one largely in woods and one following the broad river Thames.