This was the first linear walk for sometime for the Berkshire and Mid Thames Group and attracted a number of visitors from London and elsewhere who traveled either down by train or car. After days of incessant rain the weather Gods pulled out the stops and we set off in sunshine. We crossed the Thames at Reading and joined the Thameside footpath heading towards Pangbourne. Fortunately we were not immediately adjacent to the river as there was flooding in several places.

We walked through leafy countryside and passed cattle in their winter quarters, llamas, stud horses and sheep with red kites circling above them in open ground. An organic vegetable stall, unstaffed, complete with honesty box came as a surprise and attracted the attention of one walker who left happy with a beetroot shaped black radish!

In Pangbourne we all lunched well at the Cross Keys pub. As a surprise William, the walk leader, announced during lunch that it was the Centenary of the day the Law Society first granted a practicing certificate to a woman, his great aunt Maud Crofts, and invited us to drink a toast in her honour. All obliged.

After lunch the majority of walkers walked back across the Thames to the north bank and headed towards Goring via the Thames Path. Ancient woodlands were passed while the sun continued to shine through the leafless branches. This stretch was possibly the most testing of the walk as the hills were somewhat steeper than the earlier section of the walk. Because of flooding the walk was diverted away from the river bank and headed directly to Goring station.

All in all a good day was had by all. Thank you William for leading us.

We look forward to seeing those of you who are joining David Woodward on Wednesday 8 February at 10.30 am for his talk led tour of the village of Sonning on Thames well known for its several  celebrities - apart from David of course!!

Cheers

Simon and Vas