Day 4: Somerford Keynes to Oakridge Lynch

We’re now into unknown territory – and if, like me, you’ve never heard of the places we’re staying in, have a look on Google Maps.

Today got off to a wet start with a severe bathroom shower malfunction. After we had mopped up and got outside, the main problem was the wind, gusting strongly from the west. We carried on following the infant Thames, with a diversion to the elegant station at Kemble to use the facilities and buy sausage sandwiches for later. We resisted the temptation to get the next train back to Didcot.

We found the indecipherable stone allegedly marking the source of the Thames and then picked up the Wysis Way, which we’ll be following for 5 days all the way to Monmouth. To our relief it is way-marked, and almost immediately took us along a lovely path by an abandoned canal, sheltered from the wind. Above the imposing entrance to the two-mile Sapperton Tunnel was the quirky Tunnel House Inn. The next section went through a wood and some windy fields before rejoining the canal at the other end of the tunnel and continuing down the valley for a few miles. A very pleasant walk, with a stiff climb at the end to our smart but friendly B&B.

13.9 miles. Our initial estimates are looking a bit low, but so far we aren’t feeling over-taxed by the walking. On the other hand, we haven’t done a properly hilly day. Yet.