The Kennet & Avon Canal Walk
Canal Boats at Tyle Mill Lock
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 Sheffield Lock
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Calcot to Woolhampton
Tea Room and Visitor Centre, Aldermaston Wharf
Sunday 6 December 2015
Chrissie is running in the Malaga Marathon today in the sunshine while I set out on a drizzly December day to walk part 2 of the Kennet & Avon Canal Walk. I'm not jealous, of course.
The cobwebs were soon blown away in the fresh air and I enjoyed the brisk walking. There were few people about – a couple of joggers, a cyclist and a few small family groups of walkers. I've walked this stretch of canal many times before but even in familiar surroundings you often discover something you haven’t noticed before. This time, maybe because the leaves have fallen off the trees, or maybe a woodcutter did some drastic pruning, I got a glimpse of old ruins and a mill wheel on the island just after the swing bridge at Theale. I think this is the island where Kate Bush used to live.
The path now continues towards Aldermaston Wharf. In summer lots of people moor their houseboats near Tyle Mill Lock, have barbecues and entertain friends but today it was pretty quiet in this area. At Aldermaston I stopped at the K & A Visitor Centre and café for a pot of tea and bag of crisps. They also do lovely lunches and cream teas. Well worth a visit.
I left the café refreshed and then a miracle happened! I spotted a kingfisher! I haven’t seen one of these beautiful birds for several years but there it was: the unmistakeable flash of metallic blue. I tried to photograph it but it was on the opposite bank of the canal and as soon as I managed to find it and focus the camera it had flown off to a tree branch further along. I caught two more glimpses of the bird and then it was gone. I was now walking on cloud nine and felt so delighted at this unexpected highlight on a grey day. It’s amazing – but that’s the beauty of walking on your own. You are always aware of your surroundings and nature has so much to offer.
I walked on towards today’s destination, Woolhampton. This is a nice stretch. The path meanders through a little woodland that seemed untouched by humans. I have cycled along here previously when on my way to the Woolhampton Village Hall for a singing rehearsal. At that time, I cursed this stony section. Concentrating on not falling off my bike slowed me down most annoyingly. I loved the section today. Not all trees had shed their autumnal colours yet so there was some gold to brighten up the general gloom of this dull winter's day. I arrived at Midgham station half an hour before the train was due so I wandered up to the village of Woolhampton and to the Village Hall hoping to find it unlocked so I could use the loo. No toilet at the station either but the Row Barge pub is nearby and there are a couple of other pubs in the village. Unfortunately I didn’t feel ‘brave’ enough to enter any of them – preferring to find a secluded spot behind some trees!
It was getting dark rapidly now and a steady drizzle further added to the gloom. I was glad when the train arrived and I would soon be home. Of course I had another couple of miles of walking to do from Theale Station. Then it was food, rest and I remembered that Chrissie ran a marathon today. She completed it in four hours and a bit. I was pleased to find the results easily on the Spanish website and amazed that my daughter has now completed 30 marathons!
Highlights:
Wildlife:
Useful information
Transport:
Chrissie is running in the Malaga Marathon today in the sunshine while I set out on a drizzly December day to walk part 2 of the Kennet & Avon Canal Walk. I'm not jealous, of course.
The cobwebs were soon blown away in the fresh air and I enjoyed the brisk walking. There were few people about – a couple of joggers, a cyclist and a few small family groups of walkers. I've walked this stretch of canal many times before but even in familiar surroundings you often discover something you haven’t noticed before. This time, maybe because the leaves have fallen off the trees, or maybe a woodcutter did some drastic pruning, I got a glimpse of old ruins and a mill wheel on the island just after the swing bridge at Theale. I think this is the island where Kate Bush used to live.
The path now continues towards Aldermaston Wharf. In summer lots of people moor their houseboats near Tyle Mill Lock, have barbecues and entertain friends but today it was pretty quiet in this area. At Aldermaston I stopped at the K & A Visitor Centre and café for a pot of tea and bag of crisps. They also do lovely lunches and cream teas. Well worth a visit.
I left the café refreshed and then a miracle happened! I spotted a kingfisher! I haven’t seen one of these beautiful birds for several years but there it was: the unmistakeable flash of metallic blue. I tried to photograph it but it was on the opposite bank of the canal and as soon as I managed to find it and focus the camera it had flown off to a tree branch further along. I caught two more glimpses of the bird and then it was gone. I was now walking on cloud nine and felt so delighted at this unexpected highlight on a grey day. It’s amazing – but that’s the beauty of walking on your own. You are always aware of your surroundings and nature has so much to offer.
I walked on towards today’s destination, Woolhampton. This is a nice stretch. The path meanders through a little woodland that seemed untouched by humans. I have cycled along here previously when on my way to the Woolhampton Village Hall for a singing rehearsal. At that time, I cursed this stony section. Concentrating on not falling off my bike slowed me down most annoyingly. I loved the section today. Not all trees had shed their autumnal colours yet so there was some gold to brighten up the general gloom of this dull winter's day. I arrived at Midgham station half an hour before the train was due so I wandered up to the village of Woolhampton and to the Village Hall hoping to find it unlocked so I could use the loo. No toilet at the station either but the Row Barge pub is nearby and there are a couple of other pubs in the village. Unfortunately I didn’t feel ‘brave’ enough to enter any of them – preferring to find a secluded spot behind some trees!
It was getting dark rapidly now and a steady drizzle further added to the gloom. I was glad when the train arrived and I would soon be home. Of course I had another couple of miles of walking to do from Theale Station. Then it was food, rest and I remembered that Chrissie ran a marathon today. She completed it in four hours and a bit. I was pleased to find the results easily on the Spanish website and amazed that my daughter has now completed 30 marathons!
Highlights:
- Kennet & Avon Visitor Centre café at Aldermaston Wharf
- Kingfisher sighting
- Woodland near Woolhampton
Wildlife:
- Ducks, geese, songbirds and horses
Useful information
Transport:
- Train from Midgham to Theale (on Bedwyn to Reading line)
- Aldermaston Wharf (Café)
- Pubs in Theale and Woolhampton
Swans near Theale
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Path near Woolhampton
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