Weather ideal, cool with sunny periods. Entire walk along the South Bank of the Thames. Left the Globe at 9.40am. Excellent views of London then Westminster. Paused at Battersea Park opposite Chelsea. Then lunch at Wandsworth Bridge. Soon joined the Boat Race course with all its sights. Beyond Barnes Bridge the last hour of walking was hard work. Arrived at Kew Bridge at 5pm after 16 miles. All well, feet sore, no blisters. Looking forward to day 2. I've raised over £1,000 already.
Lovely sunny day, but a bit warm. Walked over Kew Bridge and followed the Thames to the start of the Grand Union Canal. Passed the Thames and Brentford Locks then walked under the A4 and M4. Stopped at Osterley Lock where I met about 40 Stratford Ramblers doing the Shakespeare Way Walk in the opposite direction over 2 years! Along a rather boring tow path. Lunch at 12.15pm at the Lamb Inn by the canal near Southall. On up the canal which was very boring but flat! Left the canal after West Drayton and then walked across country to Iver over the M25 arriving at 4pm. I walked 14 miles today bringing the total so far to 30 miles. I'm looking forward to a good evening's rest!
Weather overcast but fine, so ideal. Left Iver 9.15am and into the countryside for the first time. Into Langley Park Country Park, then Black Park Country Park. Coffee and banana by Black Park lake. Through Fulmer Rise, very exclusive, to Fulmer village. Across Stoke Common, skirted Brockhurst Woods and had lunch at Foresters Inn, Farnham Common. Through Burnham Beeches, Dorney Wood, Littleworth Common, then onwards towards Hedsor. Arrived at my B&B just after 4.30pm. Although the terrain today was more difficult and hilly, the walking was easier as I get acclimatised! 15 miles today, increasing the total to 45 miles.
Warm but overcast with sunny periods. Set off 8.45am, joined the Thames at Cookham. Over Cookham Bridge, along the South bank of the Thames to Bourne End, crossed to the North bank and then onto Marlow. Coffee, sandwich, then up into the Chilterns. Countryside varied: woods and farmland. Bit hilly and challenging but very rewarding. Lunch at Hambledon: the Stag and Huntsman. Saw very interesting church in this village. Afternoon scenery much as before. Arrived Stonor late afternoon and arrived at my B&B at 6pm. 16 miles today, increasing the total so far to 61 miles.
Weather cloudy over the Chilterns but sunny otherwise. Left Stonor at 9.15am and then up to the top of the Chilterns. Got to the top, just over 600ft, about noon. Countryside: woodland, open areas and farms. Quite hard going especially the steep downhill bits but lovely scenery. Down from the Chilterns, lunch off route as the pub that I aimed for was closed. In the afternoon the going was mainly level so progress was better than anticipated. Didn't stop at Chalgrove, but continued instead to Stadhampton, arriving there at 5pm. Saw 3 Red Kites today and a sloworm yesterday. Now past the halfway point. Distance today 16 miles bringing the total to 77 miles.
Cool and overcast all day, ideal. Left Stadhampton at 9.15am and though the countryside was flat, it was hard going over newly ploughed fields to Sandford-on-Thames. Countryside mainly farmland. From Sandford-on-Thames walked mainly along the Thames. Had lunch at the Isis Tavern. Next, walked along the river to Godstow then along a short length of the Oxford Canal followed by a walk across country to Yarnton arriving there at 5.05pm. Mystery when taking rucksack off at lunch: all of the contents spilt out as the bag was completely unzipped. Sure this was not accidental, but how, when and where is mystifying. Lost one pair of trousers, a shirt and one brown shoe! Distance today 17 miles, increasing the total to 94 miles so far.
Overcast and cool during the morning; clear sunny and warm during midday; and overcast during the afternoon. Left Yarnton after 9am and walked through the countryside to Bladon. Traveled through the village to see Churchill's grave then through Blenheim Park to Woodstock. Had brunch there (then nothing but water until the evening), walked through Woodstock, back into Blenheim Park, out again, then through the countryside without a town or village, through Ditchley Park, until I arrived at Church Enstone at 4pm. Desperate for a pint but the pub was closed! Distance 16 miles today, bringing the total to date to 110 miles.
Overcast and cool during the morning, progressively warmer later, but very blustery over the Cotswolds. Left Church Enstone at 9.45am, up Glyme Valley through attractive countryside. Climbed steadily to Chipping Norton, then down to Salford. Pub had only beer so no lunch. Climbed Cotswolds to Little Rollright consisting of a church and 3 houses but the church was very interesting. Down the Cotswolds to Long Compton, stiff climb to Whichford Wood then down to Cherington arriving at 5.10pm. Pub closed! 15 miles today, 125 in total, only 21 to go.
Weather bright and sunny. Left Cherington at 9.50am, through farmland to Shipston-on-Stour. Rolling countryside on the north edge of the Cotswolds. Good lunch at the White Bear then a 3 mile walk along roads before returning to farmland with occasional small village, along Stour Valley. Arrived Alderminster at 5.15pm. 14 miles today, increasing the total to 139 and 7 to go. ETA at Shakespeare's birthplace 11.30 on Wednesday 12.
Started sunny but then became overcast and cool. Left Alderminster at 9.20am and continued down the Stour valley through farmland and small villages. Crested rise south of Stratford-upon-Avon at 11.15am, crossed the River Avon, passed Holy Trinity Church, Theatre and New Place and arrived at Shakespeare's birthplace at 11.40am to a small welcoming committee. Distance 7 miles, with a final total of 146 miles.
My thanks to everyone who has helped and supported me especially Jane, my wife and Great Britain Online who are producing a DVD of the walk. The walk has so far raised £4,335, which, with tax back, brings the total to over £5,000! I am absolutely delighted with this result and thank everyone for their support.