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Saturday 8th August 2009Although the actual paddling doesn't start until the Sunday, it will be necessary to get to the start site on Saturday 8th. This is to give everyone time to get their canoes and gear together. It also allows everyone a chance to meet before we start. So you'll need to get to the campsite by 1pm, we'll have some food ready to greet you with and a drink to celebrate your arrival. Remember, we're not coming back here (unless you are extremely keen and fit) so don't bring your own car unless you've got some plan for it getting home without you. For information on getting to Marston Meysey by public transport visit the event information pages. Day 1 Details Start location Site Name
| Second Chance Caravan Park | Site Address | Marston Meysey Wiltshire SN6 6SN view map | | Distance from start of journey (miles) | 0 |
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Sunday 9th August 2009 The sun rises on a glorious August day, we are all rested from a good night's sleep under canvas. A smell of freshly brewed coffee drifts across the campsite. All is peace and tranquilty. WELL WAKE UP! You've got 135miles of canoeing to do. Day 2 Details Start location Site Name
| Second Chance Caravan Park | Site Address | Marston Meysey Wiltshire SN6 6SN view map | | Distance from start of journey (miles) | 0
| Estimated departure time
| 1000
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Our Journey starts here...
Distance from start of the day (miles)
| Points of interest | | 0.3 | Castle Eaton Bridge - the first of many briges we'll see. By the end of the trip they probably wont garner much interest but I'll include them anyway | | 3 | Hannington Bridge
| | 6.2 | Junction of what used to be the Thames and Severn canal, now derelict
| | 6.8 | Inglesham Round House This is also the limit of the navigable Thames for powered boats and will probably be where we will first see the support boat | | 7.7 | St John's Lock - built 1790 St John's Bridge - built 1886 | 7.8 | Bloomers Hole footbridge | | 8.7 | Buscot lock
| | 9.9 | Eaton footbridge | 10.4 | Kelmscot village The Plough Inn is on the left. LUNCH! | | 12.2 | Grafton lock
| 13.2
| Radcot Bridge - The river divides above the bridge (main channel left, but the right channel is easily navigable for canoes) so there are now two stone bridges at Radcot. The Old Bridge built in 1225 is now over the side stream. The newer bridge over the main river, was built in 1787. Tricky for power boats as the arch is narrow and the bend blind. | 13.7
| Radcot Lock | | 14 | Old Man’s Footbridge | 16.7
| Rushey Lock | 17.2
| Tadpole bridge - There is a canoe centre right bank just above the bridge, we can flaunt our canoes here.The Trout Inn (another one) is on the right bank below the bridge.
| | 19 | Tenfoot Bridge | 20.2
| Shifford Cut - to the left, we cut right to duxford weir where Mr And Mrs Corfield have kindly offered us space in their field for the price of a bottle of Famous Grouse and a box of Dark Chocolates. |
End of day location Site Name
| Dairy Farm
| Site Address | Duxford Farringdon SN7 8SQ View map | | Distance from start of journey (miles) | 20.2 | Estimated arrival time
| 1900
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Monday 10th August 2009 Depending on how yesterday went you may either be raring to go or dreading the whole thought of another day's canoeing. Tough, were off to Oxford.
Day 3 Details Start location Site Name
| Dairy Farm
| Site Address | Duxford Farringdon SN7 8SQ View map | | Distance from start of journey (miles) | 20.2 | Estimated departure time
| 1100
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Our Journey Distance from start of the day (miles)
| Points of interest | 0.5
| Shifford Lock
| | 3.5 | River Windrush joins from the left. Newbridge built in 1250. | 4
| Hart's weir footbridge
| 5.5
| Northmoor Lock - we'll stop for lunch here Approx arrival time 1300 | 7
| Bablock Hythe - A ford since Roman times. An old ferry is now only intermittently operational. Until the 1960s there was a car ferry here! | 8
| The grassy bank of the enormous Farnmoor reservoir appears on the right, and the river enters a series of meanders.
| 9.5
| Pinkhill Lock
| 10.5
| Swinford Toll Bridge - One of only two current toll bridges on the non-tidal Thames. Whitchurch is the other. | | 11 | Eynsham Lock - LUNCH!
| 12
| River Evenlode joins from the left for Kings Lock take the main channel to the right | 13.5
| Kings Lock
| | 14.3 | A34 Oxford Bypass bridge
| 14.5 | Godstow Bridge - Built 1792. | | 15 | Port meadow to the left
| | 16 | Medley Footbridge
| | 16.5 | Osney Bridge - a beautiful bridge with just 7'6" clearance, which keeps the bigger boast off the upper reaches of the Thames | | 16.7 | Osney Lock | | 16.8 | Osney Marina - Just on the left after the lock. We camp here.
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End of day location Site Name
| Osney Marina
| Site Address | Mill St
Oxford OX2 0NA
01865 240 480
view map | | Distance from start of journey (miles) | 37
| Estimated arrival time
| 1800
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 Tuesday 11th August 2009Heading South from Oxford we pass through some more picturesque countryside. Day 4 Details Start location Site Name
| Osney Marina
| Site Address | Mill St
Oxford OX2 0NA
01865 240 480
view map | | Distance from start of journey (miles) | 37 | Estimated departure time
| 1800
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Our Journey Distance from start of the day (miles)
| Points of interest | | 0.7 | Road Bridge
| | 0.8 | Footbridge | | 1.2 | Folly Bridge - built in 1827 - carries the A4144
The next mile and a half to Iffley lock is the main punting stretch so we will need to be a bit careful. | 2.2
| Donnington Road bridge | | 2.7 | Iffley Lock - we could always stop here for a little evening sundowner we fancy it.
| | 2.9 | Isis Bridge - A little reminder that the Thames at this stage is also called The Isis
| | 3.2 | Kennington Railway Bridge
| | 4.2 | Sandford Lock | | 6.2 | Radley College boathouse
| | 7.7 | Nuneham Railway Bridge
| 8.7 | Abingdon Lock | 9.7
| Abingdon Bridge River Ock - enters from the right | 10.2
| Abingdon Marina | 10.7
| Culham Cut - Here the canoes cut to the right to head to Sutton Courtneay for lunch | 11.7
| Culham Lock (main stream only) | 12.8
| Sutton Bridge - built in 1811 | | 13.9 | Clifton Cut footbridge | 14.2
| Clifton Lock | 14.7
| Clifton Hampden Bridge - Designed by Sir George Gilbert Scott who also designed the Albert Memorial.
| | 17.2 | Day's Lock
| | 17.3 | Little Wittenham footbridge The River Thame joins from the left. From here on downriver we a absolutely, definitely on The Thames | | 19.7 | Shillingford Bridge
| | 19.9 | Benson Waterfront Camping, let's call it a day |
End of day location Site Name
| Benson Waterfront Camping | Site Address | Benson, Wallingford, Oxon OX10 6SJ View Map For more information please visit their website: www.bensonwaterfront.com | | Distance from start of journey (miles) | 56.9
| Estimated arrival time
| 1730
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 Wednesday 12th August 2009It's our longest day thus far but there are plenty of places to stop on route, should we need to. There will be increasing amounts of traffic on the river from here on so we need to look out for one another. Day 5 Details Start location Site Name
| Benson Waterfront Camping | Site Address | Benson, Wallingford, Oxon OX10 6SJ View Map For more information please visit their website: www.bensonwaterfront.com | | Distance from start of journey (miles) | 56.9
| Estimated departure time
| 1000
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Our Journey Distance from start of the day (miles)
| Points of interest | 1.3
| Benson Lock | 2.8
| Wallingford Bridge - This, as the name suggests is in Wallingford! | 3.3
| Winterbrook Bridge
| 5.8
| Moulsford Railway Bridge - Brunel 1839.
Twisted brick arches, one of the wonders of the Thames. | 6.3
| Beetle and Wedge pub | | 7.8 | Cleeve Lock | 8.3
| Goring Lock Goring and Streatley bridge - just downstream | | 9.5 | Gatehampton Railway Bridge Brunel 1839 | 12.3
| Whitchurch Lock - Lunch
| 12.5
| Whitchurch Toll Bridge - J 1902. A wooden bridge was built here in about 1792. The present latticed iron bridge designed by Joseph Morris was built by the Cleveland Bridge and Engineering Company Ltd in 1902.
| 14.8
| Mapledurham Lock Mapledurham House is to our left. We'll stop here for a chance to visit the last working watermill on the Thames, we could also have a cream tea and those that want to can also visit the house. Then lunch by the lock. Estimated arrival 1200, depart 1500 | 16.3
| Poplar island followed by Appletree Eyot | 17.2
| St Mary's Island. River usually busy with rowing boats from here to Caversham bridge.
Reading rowing club is 150 yards above Caversham bridge on the right. Landing and public car park. | | 18.3 | Caversham Bridge 1926 | | 18.5 | Fry's island | | 18.5 | Reading Bridge | | 19.3 | Caversham Lock
| | 19.8 | Junction and Kennet river, Access to Kennet and Avon Canal
| | 21.3 | Blue Coat School on the right, we'll stay here tonight
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End of day location Site Name
| Blue coat School | Site Address | Holme Park Sonning Lane Sonning on Thames Berkshire RG4 6SU view satelite photo | | Distance from start of journey (miles) | 78.7 | Estimated arrival time
| 1800
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Thursday 13th August 2009
Day 6 DetailsA really comfortable day today. Just 12.5 miles, 5 locks, lots to enjoy. Start location Site Name
| Blue coat School | Site Address | Holme Park Sonning Lane Sonning on Thames Berkshire RG4 6SU view satelite photo | | Distance from start of journey (miles) | 78.7
| Estimated departure time
| 1000
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Our Journey Distance from start of the day (miles)
| Points of interest | | 0.1 | Sonning Lock
| | 0.3 | Sonning Bridge
| | 3.2 | Shiplake Lock | | 3.4 | Shiplake Railway Bridge 1897
| | 5.7 | Marsh Lock | | 6.7 | Henley Bridge - 1786
The next mile is the Henley regatta course. | | 8.7 | Hambledon Lock - There is a pub in Aston, just past the lock on the right, so we'll stop here for lunch. | 10.2
| Islands. Main channel left but apparently there is better canoeing right. This may be a bit dodgy for our lightweight canoes but might be fun. I advise caution | | 10.9 | Medmenham Village Medmenham Abbey | | 11.2 | Islands. Main channel left but better canoeing right, again, caution advised. | | 12.5 | Hurley Upper Lock Right Hurley weir left.
According to expert canoeists this is a lot of fun but it may be too much for our canoes. we'll see on the day. | | 12.6 | Hurley upper lock cut footbridge
| | 12.7 | Hurley Lock
Camping on the island.
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End of day location Site Name
| Hurley island | Site Address | Mill Lane, Hurley, Maidenhead, Berks SL6 5ND View Map Check out the little island campsite, those brown things are tents! Click here
| | Distance from start of journey (miles) | 91.2 | Estimated arrival time
| 1800
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Friday 14th August 2009Day 7 DetailsStart location Site Name
| Hurley island | Site Address | Mill Lane, Hurley, Maidenhead, Berks SL6 5ND View Map | | Distance from start of journey (miles) | 91.2
| Estimated departure time
| 1000
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Our Journey Distance from start of the day (miles)
| Points of interest | 0.4
| Temple Footbridge | 0.5
| Temple Lock
| 2.2
| Marlow Bridge 1832
An iron suspension bridge built in 1832 by William Tierny Clark, who also designed the suspension bridge over the Danube in Budapest. | 2.5
| Marlow Lock | 2.7
| Marlow by pass bridge (A404) | 5
| Bourne End Railway Bridge - 1895 Footbridge | | 6.2 | Cookham Bridge - 1867 - Lunch
| | 6.4 | Cookham lock cut footbridge | 6.5 | Cookham Lock
Cliveden House (1862) and Park left bank.
Home to the Astor’s, and location of many political intrigues and scandals including the meeting of John Profumo and Christine Keeler. Now owned by the National Trust and leased out as a hotel. | | 8.5 | Boulter’s Lock
| 9.5 | Maidenhead Bridge - 1777
This 13-arch stone bridge was designed by Sir Robert Taylor(1714-1788) who also designed part of the Bank of England in Threadneedle Street in London.
| | 9.6 | Maidenhead Railway Bridge - 1839, Brunel.
The two arches, each 123 ft long are the largest brickwork spans in the world.
Waterside Inn to the right. Michel Roux's yummy, three Michelin star restaurant, if anyone fancies an indulgent night out.......
| | 10.5 | Bray Lock | | 11 | M4 Bridge - 1961 |
End of day location
Site Name
| Amerden Caravan and Camping Site | Site Address | Old Marsh Lane, Dorney Reach, Maidenhead, Berks SL6 0EE View Map | | Distance from start of journey (miles) | 102.2 | Estimated arrival time
| 1700 |
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 Saturday 15th August 2009Day 8 DetailsStart location Site Name
| Amerden Caravan and Camping Site | Site Address | Old Marsh Lane, Dorney Reach, Maidenhead, Berks SL6 0EE View Map | | Distance from start of journey (miles) | 102.2 | Estimated departure time
| 1100
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Journey Distance from start of the day (miles)
| Points of interest | 0.2 | Monkey island and Monkey Island hotel
| 3
| Boveney Lock
Windsor race course to the right, where the Queen gambles away our money. | 4
| Windsor bypass (A332) | 4.2
| Windsor Railway Bridge - 1849
The castle comes in view on the right bank. | | 4.5 | Windsor Bridge - 1824 | 5
| Romney Lock.
Eton college on the left. | 5.2
| Black Pott's Railway Bridge 1892 | 6
| Victoria Bridge - 1928
Windsor Home Park right. Please note - there is no landing between Victoria and Albert bridges. Treason or some such. | 7.5
| Albert Bridge - 1967 - not as pretty as the one in London
| | 7.7 | Old Windsor Lock Cut Bridge | | 8 | Old Windsor Lock - Lunch
| | 9 | Bells of Ousely pub right. We'll stop for lunch here. Estimated arrival 1300 | | 9.5 | Magna Carta island. Runnymede to the right.
Owned by the National Trust. Site of Commonwealth Air Forces, Magna Carta and Kennedy memorials. | | 11 | Bell Weir (Egham) Lock | | 11.5 | Runnymede Bridges | | 12 | Staines Bridge - 1832 | | 14 | Penton Hook Lock | | 15 | Laleham Park - Stop on the right bank and we'll camp here |
End of day location Site Name
| Laleham Camping Club
| Site Address | Laleham Park, Staines, Middlesex TW18 1SS View Map | | Distance from start of journey (miles) | 117.2 | Estimated arrival time
| 1800
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Sunday 16th August 2009
It's Sunday morning and we might even allow ourselves a lie-in. That is unless you have a taste for fast living in which case there will be a chance to listen to The Archers on Radio 4 with a cup of tea and a bacon sarnie on the support boat. Those who have not yet learned to love Ambridge can relax until The Archers is over, we'll then be setting off to Teddington.We've canoed 117 miles by this point. some of us will be feeling really quite tired. So what better way to finish the trip than with a moderate 14.5 miles. Our trip takes us past some beautiful bits of West London and on to our journey's end at Teddington. We could have a quick wander around Hampton Court Maze at lunch time. With any luck we'll be arranging a bit of an event at Teddington to celebrate our achievements. There will be members of the press and hopefully some friends and family to greet us. With any luck they'll have brought a bottle or two of bubbly (hint). Well done all. Day 9 DetailsStart location Site Name
| Laleham Camping Club | Site Address | Laleham Park, Staines, Middlesex TW18 1SS
View Map | | Distance from start of journey (miles) | 117.2 | Estimated departure time
| 1030 |
Our Journey Distance from start of the day (miles)
| Points of interest | | 0.7 | M3 Bridge - 1971
| | 1 | Chertsey Lock
| | 1.2 | Chertsey bridge - 1785
| 3 | Shepperton Lock
Confluence with river Wey right. Weybridge right with Brooklands car racing museum and race track behind.
| 3.2 | Desborough cut right. Better and longer canoeing down the old river course left. | 5 | Walton “Temporary” bridge 1954 Walton Bridge 19th C | 6.2
| Sunbury lock cut bridge
| 6.5
| Sunbury Lock - Lunch
| 8
| Platt's Eyot | 8.2
| Westel-Thames canoe club and Bell Inn left. George Kenton's ferry. | 9.5
| Molesey Lock | 9.7
| Hampton Court Bridge - 1933
| 10
| Hampton Court Palace left River Mole enters right. | 10.5
| Thames Ditton island. Old Swan Hotel right | 12.5
| Kingston Bridge - 1828. | | 12.7 | Kingston Railway Bridge - 1863 | | 14.4 | Teddington lock cut bridge | | 14.5 | Teddington Lock THE END |
End of day location Site Name
| Teddington Lock
| Site Address | Teddington, London TW11 View Map | | Distance from start of journey (miles) | 131.7
| Estimated arrival time
| 1700
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WELL DONE! |
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Itinerary 