Dorchester on Thames

Debbie and I decide on a few days away to celebrate our 15th wedding anniversary and she finds a very nice chalet right next to the river a few miles down from Oxford. Tuesday is the usual hassle getting out of London but not too bad and a good run cross country to Henley where we stop off to wander along the river to the bridge which was very pleasant in the sunshine. Then for the rest of the journey to our home which is in the grounds of a bigger newish house owned by the very pleasant and friendly Sarah. After settling us into the chalet she leaves us alone for the rest of the time so not overbearing. Our place has a lovely view of the river and after a couple of gins I pluck up the courage to go for a swim which was very pleasant. We sit on our bench right next to the rive under the willow mesmerised by the gorgeous sunset as the orb disappears from the flat horizon. A great place to see a sunset. The place is spotless and the bed comfortable so we sleep well. Wednesday we wander into Dorchester which is a quaint little town (or large village) with a big abbey church. Was a cathedral then abbey then church lowering in status as Dorchester did over the years. We walk through the fields to Days Lock which is operated by modern machinery including big sluice gates and not as picturesque as some but we while away an hour lounging on the river bank under wild blackberry and apple trees getting strength back for the walk home. The place is not very busy and we lower the average age by at least two decades, which is saying something! Nevertheless nice old buildings, 3 pubs and a Coop which is the main requirement of a country town or village. We spend the rest of the afternoon and evening lounging by the river and eating and drinking. The sunset isn't quite as spectacular as fewer clouds but after it's disappeared seems to have a last hurrah by lighting up the sky seemingly above it. Thursday is our last full day and the weather's not as glorious. We drive to near the Wittenham Clumps and walk up to the iron age fort for great views over the surrounding countryside then over to the Clump proper to spot our little place over the plain. I assume it all used to flood round here years ago - maybe still does? The weather's brightened up and we stop off to get a take away from what we've been told is the best curry house this side of the Khyber Pass (it was good but not that good) and stop off at the 12th Century Barley Mow pub for a swift one before returning home. I go for another swim before champagne and curry to celebrate 15 years of married bliss. Unfortunately by 8 I feel shattered and go to bed sleeping for 12 hours solid. Feel pretty rough the next day and I think I've caught a waterborne disease whilst swimming (aka sewage or pesticide run off). At least it was on the last night. We pack up and drive back to London having had a very enjoyable few days away. A lovely place to stay if you just want to chill out.

The view

Debbie on our bench

Down river - with swimming neighbour

Sunset

Sun set

The Clumps in the dawn mist

Abbey church

Abbey church

Our kingfisher

The Clumps

View from the Clumps

Great font

The Barley Mow

Fateful swim?!

Gower and beyond...

Friday I meet Pete at Hyde Park Corner where the army seem to be practicing for the expected summer riots. Swords drawn. An excellent use of taxpayers money. Anyway we negotiate this and safely reach Paddington which after a bit of bike storage shenanigans reach Swansea safely and cycle to Mumbles to meet Chris albeit a little late. After coffee at Mumbles pier Chris takes us up the steepest hill on the Gower (or so we think at the time) and after a lot of ups and downs we reach home but only after a detour to the pub for an excellent Thai curry and pints. A warm welcome from Amanda and Ryan awaits and after another couple of beers I sleep soundly in the hammock. Saturday is a little drizzly but after a great breakfast from Chris we cycle north up and over the valleys, en route Chris has his very first puncture, as in lifetime not just this ride, which Pete and I can't quite believe but it's sorted out quickly and we don't suffer another. We stop for coffee at Ammanford and whilst dithering about whether to have lunch our minds are made up by the skies opening and so we sit snugly in the restaurant warm and cosy. The sun is out when we leave for another up and down ride, which I struggle with as digesting a large burger and chips, with a sting in the tail that Chris treats us to ("just a little tickler") on the Gower by taking us up and over Three Crosses. After a couple of well earned pints and peanuts down on the coast we arrive home to be fed another excellent Thai curry. Tonight I'm on the airbed. Sunday it's drizzly and after our regulation large breakfast, thanks Chris, we head south into driving rain and wind. Again I'm struggling as digesting food. Must remember to have little and often in future - or avoid hills. We reach Rhossili to take our snaps and dry to dry out a little in a cafe with a wonderful view up the beach. As the weather is poor and time is short, considering those hills, we ditch the idea of a swim at Port Eynon and head for Swansea. Chris leaves us on the top of the Gower and Pete and I meander up and down steep hills before reaching Swansea Bay seafront cycle path where Pete dips his toes in the Welsh waters. Then it's a quick jaunt to the railway station, cycle to Hyde Park Corner where Pete and I part and back home proper for me for a well earned, and needed, hot bath. A great trip. West Wales next time...?

The gospel according to Strava...

Day 1. 31.69 miles in 2:51:55 hours climbing 1,792 ft - plus another 8 from home to Paddington

Day 2: 40.35 miles in 3:29:06 hours climbing 2,828 ft

Day 3: 36.46 miles in 3:10:54 hours climbing 2,342ft - plus another 9 from Paddington to home.

So 124 miles over the 3 days climbing about 7,000 feet which is just about going from sea level up Snowdon. Twice.

Army on the street

Mumbles is not a 5 minute ride

Looking over Swansea Bay from Mumbles

Wild horses in the road...

... luckily the bulls are not

View back to the Gower

The breakaway is gaining time

A sunny view

Worms Head

Rhossili Bay Beach

A little bit damp and windblown

Friday Swansea to Crofty via the pub

Saturday going north from the Gower

Sunday to Swansea via Rhossili

West Country Walks

A late May Bank Holiday weekend at Duncan's with a trip to our parents...

Weston from Penn Farm

Kelston Round Hill north looking

Sheep farming in Weston

Matt RIP

Weston from the racecourse

The walk around Salisbury Plain - it was hot out

Across the plain

Stonehenge

Wild flowers

I just liked the shape

Extinction Rebellion camp

Quick dusty jaunt across the plain before the train

A Stylish Place in the Cotswolds

After exchanging anniversary cards Debbie and I pack the car and set off for the Cotswolds just as it starts raining which gets very heavy on the M4. An auspicious start to a few days away. We arrive late afternoon to a warm welcome from our host and take in the lovely view across the Painswick Valley looking west to the ridge that Duncan and I walked across along the Cotswolds Way. It's a very tranquil spot with just a hint of a hum from the A46. We walk up the lane, or Wick Street as it's called, in the evening for a view over Painswick and turn back as the black clouds roll in and we have to shelter under a tree during the downpour. We dine on asparagus and samphire washed down with champagne to celebrate 14 years of wedded bliss. Our home is a wooden sided converted pig sty with ancient wooden beams but cosy enough with the wood burning stove. Thursday morning it's raining but doesn't seem to bother the horses grazing in the field below us. By the time we've breakfasted the rain has stopped and we walk into Painswick to admire the typical Cotswolds buildings and the church with 99 yew trees. We then walk down and up the steep hill to Bulls Cross then back home just in time to miss another torrential downpour which is a good excuse to laze about reading. It's an impressively atmospheric evening with huge black clouds interspersed with the sun lighting up their edges. Friday morning is cloudless and we stride up to Bulls Cross to start the Laurie Lee Wildlife Walk which is a lovely route through woods and down the Slad Valley to Laurie's childhood village. It's breezy with clouds scudding in on the north wind but sunny to keep us warm especially when ascending the sides of the valley. After blackberrying and lunch we have a drink in the Woolpack garden overlooking where we've walked before visiting Lee's gravestone in the churchyard opposite and then the cottage where he grew up. With a pint of local rough(ish) cider inside me we climb back over the ridge to our own valley and sit in the sun looking out westwards. After a while the cold northerly drives us inside to the warmth of the fire and to finish our books. Dinner is rounded off with freshly picked blackberries and apples generously left outside a house for free (a common feature round these here parts). Saturday is another cloudless morning but with a distinct nip in the air and after gazing out one last time to see a deer frolic in our field we drive to my parents who I haven't seen since February. A good chat and hearty meal from the chippy then we drive to Lansdown to put a rose from Matt's rosebush in his field. Back to my parents to pick up my glasses that I forgot then an uneventful drive home by the back rounds due to the M4 being closed nearing London. A lovely few days away.

The sty from Wick Street

Not bad for a sty

View from our bar

Rain and sun

Sunset over the Painswick Valley

The valley in the morning

Painswick from Wick Street

Painswick churchyard

Our visit to Lilliput

The Laurie Lee Wildlife Walk

Lake just before the steep bit

Looking up the Slad Valley

Looking down the Slad Valley

Intrepid Trekkers

Slad in the distance

View over where we've come from - from the Woolpack at Slad

Laurie's gravestone

The Woolpack

Rosebank - Laurie Lee's childhood home

The Pilgrimage from Wick Street to Slad

View over Weston and Bath from Lansdown

A rose for Matt