The Red Lion, Cricklade to the Tunnel House Inn 28th October, 2009

The final leg of the project was the fourteen mile stretch from Cricklade to that fine hostelry, The Tunnel House Inn, near the village of Coates. This was the second stage of Beau’s winding-up of the whole marathon enterprise by walking from his house to a point on the Macmillan Way.
We (Beaumont, Kerslake, Di Miles and myself) parked up outside The Red Lion (another fine hostelry) in Cricklade and set off at a fair lick. We were planning a rendezvous somewhere along the route with Graham Miles and his new knee, and Beau was already twitchy about timings.
The Thames Path twisted its way northwards out of Cricklade, through farmyards and fields, past horses and farmers who ignored us or smiled benignly. Only the sheep seemed nervous and backed away knowingly as Beaumont approached. We skirted North Meadow, famous for its purple-headed fritilleries, not at this time of year though. Then we wove our way through the lakes of the Cotswold Water Park through the villages of Ashton Keynes and then Somerford Keynes.
Birdwise a fine flock of fieldfares was spotted foraging in the stubble and Beaumont scored several points by correctly identifying a red-crested pochard despite Leslie’s initial scepticism.
There followed some tense moments as maps were consulted in an attempt to determine the exact time and place we were to rendezvous with Graham. And when Beaumont confidently announced he calculated we should see Graham just round the next bend we laughed openly. To our astonishment there he was, striding impressively towards us. Humble pie was distributed and painfully swallowed.
A touching and tearful scene followed as husband and wife were reunited and the party continued along grassy paths to pay our compliments to the source of the Thames. Not much to see - an unimpressive pile of stones and an explanatory board in the corner of a field.

There just remained a pleasant stroll along a section of the disused but picturesque Thames and Severn Canal and the Tunnel House Inn was reached with its excellent selection of real ales. A proper end to any epic walk.

The Mall to Cricklade

The Mall – Cricklade

As time passes it becomes an ever more valuable commodity, or so they say. Not for Philip Leslie, who chose to spend his birthday on a walk which must rank alongside the Millenium Dome in the list of the best ways to completely waste your time. He was accompanied in this exercise in futility by Paul, Molly, Mitzy and me. A brave guest appearance was made by Bill, despite this being a rather tumultuous period in his love life.

I am not exactly sure how this walk ever came about. Presumably a number of pints had been drunk at the time. What I do know is that I will never be trusting either my father or Phil to exercise any judgement again. I suspect that Molly feels the same way

Paul and I picked up Phil, Molly and Bill around the back of Phil’s house, followed by a trundle around the Commonweal School playing fields. The next stage was to walk along the old railway track, through Swindon’s lovely ‘Front Garden’, which is currently being converted into a building site. The weather was acceptable, if slightly depressing , with only a slight spattering of drizzle. I am not sure exactly what was being discussed by those in front during this section of the walk, but I do know that as we emerged from the ‘Front Garden’ into a west(ish) Swindon industrial estate, the topics covered by Bill and I had included veganism, new age religion, China, the US and the links between Robert Browning and William Blake.


At this point we were no closer to Cricklade than at the start of the walk. However, what it did afford was a walk along another old railway line which the town planners had decided to use as a natural guide for a line of overhead electricity pylons. After a couple of miles we came out suitably irradiated in Abbey Meads, the new northern development of Swindon which threatens north Wiltshire in roughly the same way as climate change threatens the world.

After negotiating a number of traffic lights and road intersections we again joined up with the old railway. Apart from the fact that it is not so old anymore, and forms part of the Swindon- Cricklade railway, where ‘visitors can enjoy all the facilities they expect from a Heritage Railway centre’ and the joy that that entails (here’s the link for those who are interested in this possibly laudable but in reality painfully parochial idea http://www.swindon-cricklade-railway.org/index.php#top). Fortunately (?), the trains weren’t running, so we were able to walk along the tracks, forced to stare at the sleepers underfoot as we picked our way between them. I noted that the last time that I had engaged in this slightly painful exercise was on the way to Macchu Picchu. Cricklade, it turns out, cannot be compared to Macchu Picchu.


We came to the end of the railway line and were forced to walk along a road for a couple of miles as cars raced home from work. Then we were able to cross into the field and go along a path into Cricklade. This, and the subsequent visit to the Red Lion pub, was possibly the only genuinely pleasant part of the walk. Lindy and Sheelagh turned up after a day of shopping in Bath. Never has that prospect seemed so attractive.

The Island Festival (July 4th)

As he was a few thousand miles away at the time the following (although posted by PB) owes everything to John Hollis and friends.


The fates smiled benignly on the Island Festival on the first Saturday in July- the weather was really lovely and very hot - the setting was idyllic - the cream of Elton high society attended with their picnic hampers and champagne - about 160 of them - a pretty sophisticated theatre-going audience which made it all the more gratifying that the performances went so well. Sarah and her friend from Laban did two very beautiful contemporary dances. The students were stunning - very professional - the dramatic performances, lasting for an hour and a half, ranged from farce to Shakespeare and Edward Albee - a couple of risque monologues , there were long periods of dialogue and you couldn't hear a pin drop - it was my fear that people would get bored and start chatting among themselves but not a bit of it. Paul, Alison, Joan, made it up there. Bill Cullen was magnificent as guest of honour in his Toad costume, Jo's organisation was fantastic. The band and the singers rehearsed by Steve were excellent - lots of blues (Paul W on harmonica and Eric Clapton's guitarist on bass), jazz, classical and a ten minute rendition of Nina Simone's 'Sinnerman' ending with an unexpected firework clandestinely ignited with impeccable timing down by the river bank, apparently startling one unsuspecting lady who had retired to the bushes out of her wits!


£695 was raised for Macmillan


You can find a very good review of the Festival by going to Google and then to Stamford Mercury - then search = 'Island festival" to see the review or use this link http://www.stamfordmercury.co.uk/reviews/Island-Festival-success.5478665.jp
which should work

The Tetbury bit June 19

This is over 2 months ago so the memory is a bit hazy.


Managed to meet Julie and Gaynor although Julie did a bit of searching before she found the right place. (So did I - but obviously I kept quiet about this). We had a very nice walk following the Macmillan Way and then branching off as indicated by the book - along a valley and through a wood with overhanging trees. I managed to cut my head on an overhanging branch - when you are my height you get used to this sort of thing. We found our way into Tetbury and had a cup of coffee - this is almost obligatory now when on the walk. Wasn't quite sure which road to take on the way out so went into the Tourist Office - they had no idea. However, the local postman knew his stuff. Tetbury was rather impressive - including the outskirts - very nice stone buildings.

Found our way to the edge of Highgrove - Prince Charles' gaff - where we came across 2 policemen with a great job. They were wandering around the outskirts of Highgrove - one had binoculars on to look at birds. We then set off through some rather overgrown fields. There was a path - but it didn't go in the right direction. However, Julie didn't fancy the suggested route. Now it's important in such circumstance to give Julie her head as it was very overgrown. The ensuing route was interesting to say the least and resulted in Julie confessing that perhaps the originally proposed route was to be preferred. (I'm recommending to Dick that he prints out copies of this for future reference). We managed to find our way to the Monarch's Way which was really rather delightful as it led us back to the Macmillan Way and the cars. A very enjoyable outing.

And what next?

There are a couple of further fund-raising efforts going on. A lot of work has been put in on the Island Festival - see earlier post - which should be great - I hope the weather is good for it. There's also a breakfast being held.

There are also some more walks - in fact one has already taken place - it will take me a bit of time to get the blog post done for it - quite a few things to do at the moment.

I am aiming to close this thing down at the end of October because then it will have run for a year. However, before then I am hoping to walk the southern alternative of Rutland Water with Rich - as he asked me what I was going to do as the 3rd thing for MacMillan - and then promptly disappeared overseas. I shall be able to reminisce about the birds I have seen and the trees I have learned about - it's important that people are given information that they don't know they need or want.

Day 24 (Sunday 14 June)

Abbotsbury to Golden Cap (13.5 miles)

Off we set to Golden Cap. It's a lovely day - Annie is taken by the colour of the sea, Gill by the landscape and the weather; meanwhile Tony has decided to don a mask (because of hay fever), a hat not seen since the days of the Magical Mystery Tour and a pair of six-shooters (I may have made the last bit up). Stop for coffee at a beach cafe at Burton Bradstock. We all really liked it - lots of people there and it's not a typical English tacky beach place - it's got a real continental feel.
Off we go and we soon have some climbing to do. Then down into West Bay and across the bridge. Start climbing up again and it's pretty steep. We probably could have walked along the beach but it's great that we didn't because we see the most fantastic display by a pair of peregrine falcons - soaring up from the cliffs and down onto a golf course -(I suppose there had to be one) - targeting a crow which is trying to hide - it must have been hit by the peregrine because it can't fly away. Have never seen anything like it.
On we go (after watching them for perhaps 15 minutes). Walk down to Seatown for a sandwich at the Anchor. Worth noting that neither of the male of the species had any alcohol; the same cannot be said of the female of the species. This information is offered with no comment. Then the climb begins to get up to Golden Cap - the highest point on the south coast. And here's a picture of 3 of the intrepid climbers




And below is the picture that I just knew would be the tree of the day before we set off - I always look for it when I come here.







Looking back beyond the tree is the coastline we have followed. We were fortunate indeed with the weather as you can see.






I go on ahead for a few minutes because Golden Cap is the the spot where we put Lorna's ashes. Then Annie, Tony and Gill come along and we start to walk back along the top of Golden Cap and a linnet started to sing.

Now we head down towards Langdon Wood. I know what sort of direction we should go in but the path is not where I think it should be - Gill runs up the hill to find it - pretty impressive after the climbing we've done. It's very nice shady walk back to the car

Bird of the day: peregrine falcon

Tree of the day: hawthorn (see picture)

Day 23 (Saturday 13 June)

Melbury Osmond to Abbotsbury (21.5 miles)

Up for breakfast at 7.45 - an excellent one - say what you want and you seem to get it - bacon, eggs, tomatoes, mushrooms ..and more offered - perhaps I should have asked for new walking sticks. Head off through Melbury Park - belongs to the Earls of Ilchester - seems from another age - well I suppose it is. It's parkland (as described by Rackham in "The History of the English Countryside").

Arrive at Evershot - the second highest village in Dorset. This is Hardy country. Then a fair bit of navigating across fields, checking the map against the compass. (What would it be like if I was trying to navigate through the Highlands of Scotland? - think I'd need a very long piece of string). Spend some time walking by or near the River Frome - lovely area. Into Maiden Newton - time for coffee and they make me a fine baguette. Head off again and pass an old lady sitting by the river eating fish and chips. Go through the hamlet of Cruxton - must be one of the poshest hamlets in England - who lives there? - no-one I know!.
Up over the hill and then down it. (The picture is of another hill ...hmmm)

Walk past a veritable sea of cows

Up over another hill and then down it. Pass a walker going in the other direction - haven't seen a fellow walker for a long time. Climb up White Hill and see Abbotsbury and the Fleet and the sea beyond - quite a feeling. Rest of the view was a bit limited - a sea mist.

Heading down to Abbotsbury - phone Tony - he, Gill and Annie are supposed to be walking up to meet me. They are . Told by Gill and Annie that they could see me walking aimlessly round near the top of the hill - then they realised I was talking on the phone! Mind you there have been a number of times when I've been walking around in circles without being on the phone.

Check my bag into bed and breakfast and then we head off to finish the Macmillan Way itself. Climb up to St Catherine's Chapel - seen it lots of times before but never climbed up to go in it. They hold occasional services there - bring your own seat up the hill if you want to sit down. Then we head down to go out to the sea and I get completely confused about which direction to go in - and this is before I'd drunk any beer. Eventually find the right way and head off along the coastal path and then out on the wooden foot way to the sea shore - to dip my hands in. And would you believe it there were loads of people down there. Fishing, barbecuing - a very unexpected site.

Do a guick Geoffrey Boycott impresssion to prove I was there - floppy hat, crooked smile that sort thing
And so with thanks to all of those who came with me and/or contributed... it's off to the pub with Annie, Gill and Tony.
But the story's not over - tomorrow it's off to Golden Cap and the sight of something that they'd be proud to show on Springwatch

Bird of the day: Sparrow hawk

Tree of the day: Copper beech