For this walk I reached the start by driving from the Swindon Premier Inn to Cricklade, where I parked in the free car park just off the High Street. It was another really sunny day, warm but not too hot; perfect day for a walk. Before setting off for Lechlade, I walked along the High Street and then on to the entrance to North Meadow Nature Reserve. North Meadow was a mass of wild flowers but overwhelmingly buttercups; a very impressive sight. It was also extremely wet in places, a reminder of all the rain we’d had in May. I then walked back into Cricklade and followed the Thames Path signs to rejoin the path by the riverside. 

 

The section to Lechlade is a really pleasant countryside walk. At this time of year it was made all the more attractive by the blossom on the trees and the spring flowers, mainly buttercups again. For much of the middle section of the walk between Castle Eaton and Upper Inglesham, the path leaves the river. By the time the path rejoined the riverside, the river had widened and I saw my first boat along the Thames since leaving from the source! Another 2 miles and I arrived at Lechlade. A quick pint by the river, then buses back to Swindon and out again to Cricklade to collect my car. It was nice being able to use my bus pass again!

 

All in all, a very satisfactory day.

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