Walk 5: Reading to Goring
02–10–2016
Stages 11 and 12 of the guide book- official distance 16.75km; our version 19.3km.
This one we did right! Thanks to G’s travel industry connections we grabbed a decent rate at the Crowne Plaza Reading, literally on the Thames Path and adjacent to our traditional start point, a bridge, so we transported ourselves there the night before. After an excellent night’s sleep, an invigorating swim (for G), a bonus lie-in (for Alaina) and about six people’s worth of breakfast (both), we were well prepared for a morning departure. Much better than picking up the trail after work, or after hiking to Windsor first.
Better still- given the water-based punishment of the lord which hammered the town the night before- we had perfect weather. Bright sunshine yet rarely too hot, with a refreshing breeze. This turned out to be (another) beautiful stretch of the Thames Valley, so when early in the afternoon we made it to the end of walk 11 — Pangbourne — we simply carried on to the next one, leading us away from the river and over rolling hills en route to Goring.
Along the way we encountered rowing competitions; a steady stream of happy people with their happy dogs; picture-perfect locks; fall colours in full display; a convenient cafe that opens only on ‘fine weekends until October’; cows / ducks / swans / horses / geese / llamas / sheeps / cats / dead frogs; and far too many beautiful villages or enviable water-side properties.
Total km walked: 72
Official km walked: 49.35
Thames path km left: 238
