Thames Path Trail

I have canoed from Lechlade to Castle Eaton and back a few times. That stretch can be hard going even in a canoe, lots of fallen trees and branches to get around. As for the caches, some of them are quite away from the river, in fact some of them you can't even see the river from where the path actually is!

I'm sure you know a lot of this already, but as it seems as though you're unfamiliar with the Thames thought I'd give you a few pointers. I'm a canoeist (prior to getting a 'proper job') and know the upper Thames extremely well... it's surprisingly easy but there are a few things to consider first...

You need to register your boat either with the Environment Agency or the BCU - not Thames Water. If you register with the BCU it's about £30 and it entitles you to any navigable waterway (including canals) in the UK. The EA licence will cover you just for that craft on the Thames.... and yes, the lock keepers will ask to see it at EVERY lock they have manned!

You can't paddle north of Cricklade - it's just not possible/allowed. In May you shouldn't really paddle north of Lechlade - this is due to low water levels, growth of rushes (it isn't cleared as it's not a navigation channel) and birds/fish reproduction - swans nesting will attack you, lower down it's not so much of an issue. The navigable section starts at Lechlade where the Coln joins it - just north of St. John's lock.. Access is a major issue on rivers, paddlers have fought long and hard for access agreements and not sticking to the 'norm' can get you into a lot of trouble - especially from anglers/land owners. At Hannington there is acces over private land and at Castle Eaton access is again over private land from the pub. You will need their permission.

Most the access is via slipways which are located at pubs. They are private and you do need permission to launch there - I recommend making phonecalls in advance as they can get mighty angry if you roll up their slipway and then don't purchase a set amount of things from the pub/pay for it.

www.visitthames.co.uk/things-to-do/boating/canoeing follow the link the EA website.

I have a document somewhere telling me all the campsites (which include some locks by prior arrangement) but it's on my other computer. I'll see if I can find it.

Lastly the lock keepers will usually expect you to portage as they will expect you to not go through the lock, and you should have the required safety kit (bouyancy aid etc). The thames has a lot of boat traffic so they have right of way - you must get out of their way in good time otherwise they could flatten you (I've been almost mown down by a drunken stag party that didn't know how to slow the canal boat down!).

Lastly - you can't get out of the boat unless you're at a lock/slipway/very fortunate. The banks are steep, high and heavily vegetated. They are prone to collapsing and can be full of nasty hazards (fishing line, lots of barbed wire, broken bottles). Climbing into one is extremely dangerous. In May the Himalayan Balsam will be starting its annual invasion and will dominate the banks - which are often 2-3m behind the plants. You can't simply hop in and out of boats - some sections have no get out for 5-6 miles. That's a long walk to the cache and back.

If you contact the EA for a boat licence - you may want to enquire about a permit to catch crayfish. The signal one (evil) is free to fish on the Thames but you need a ticket to do so apparently. Just make sure you don't take the native one. You can normally catch 6-7 in 20 mins with the right kit, Free food!

Oh, and there are several HUGE sections where the Thames Path isn't actually near the Thames...

Hope that helps.

It was really nice weather yesterday, so the family and I went to the Water Park for a walk and picnic. We parked at Neigh Bridge and walked the path upstream for a couple of miles, taking in a few caches along the route. It was gentle enough walking for me with the 2yo in the back pack and there were regular enough caches to keep the 5 yo's interest.

There was little or no mud on the short section we walked - the only bit we came across was at GZ for Thames Path - Manor House.

We didn't find anything at the obvious hiding place for Thames Path - Somerford Keynes. To be honest I don't know when we'll be next out to grab that one, as the family won't want to repeat the walk for a while, but you never know.

I'm going to continue searching along the canal tomorrow. There are quite a few sheep just past the Monkey Business cache area, towards Siddy direction (if you're in Cerney) and my dog's a bit too enthusiastic about sheep, so what with lambing season and everything I might go for Cerney Wick rather than Siddington...

No worries, I know exactly where you're coming from!

Working cocker. It's an odd arrangement, we don't own her but we have her at our house during the day and walk her because her owners are out from early until late. I also dogsit another (but waaay lazier) cocker (not working type!)...what was my point?...oh yeah so basically she's lovely but scatty and not that well trained, so anytime I spot sheep I put her on the lead - being aware of farmer's rights having grown up on a farm too - its not in her breed to attack, but she will chase anything that moves, which is potentially just as damaging to a pregnant ewe. I can't wait to see her reaction to the alpacas when they're finally moved in!!