Stage 9 - Abingdon to Swinford Bridge - 25th June 2024

https://video.wixstatic.com/video/6795f3_38cb6c4d9c034f1091102590154db21c/1080p/mp4/file.mp4

Looking upstream from Abingdon Bridge towards the lock

Stage 9 of my 2024 Thames Path challenge to walk from the sea at Grain to the Source near Kemble in 11 stages. 15.83 miles today from Abingdon to Swinford Bridge at Eynsham. To make the final 2 stages a little shorter, I had hoped to get as far as Newbridge - another 7 miles further on - but it turned into such a hot day that in the end I was glad I stopped at Swinford. In fact, despite drinking water like a fish all day, by the time I got home I was 6 lbs lighter! As things turned out, it didn't matter that I only reached Swinford on this stage because I was still able to reach the Source in 11 stages.

I've never enjoyed the 5 mile stretch of the Thames Path between Abingdon Lock and Sandford Lock. Much of this has to do with the amount of tree cover over the path, restricting the views of the river. It's also not very wide in places and in winter gets very muddy and rutted. I'm not a fan! Beyond Sandford however, the path opens up more, making the rest of this walk enjoyable.

Abingdon Lock

Abingdon Lock

Abingdon Lock

The roses at Sandford Lock never disappoint

Sandford Lock - the walk picks up from here

So peaceful

Iffley Lock

Inquisitive geese

Iffley Lock

Iffley Lock

Iffley Lock

Beyond Iffley - Donnington Bridge and the city in the background

Continuing towards Oxford City Centre

The start of the Oxford colleges' boat houses

Oxford City Centre

Oxford City Centre

https://video.wixstatic.com/video/6795f3_6d7c96e3e750492fa3b76ec5bb9e3491/1080p/mp4/file.mp4

Oxford City Centre

Folly Bridge Oxford - the path crosses the road here before continuing upstream

Caudwell's Castle on Folly Bridge Island Oxford

This bridge looks sooooooo much better now it's been refurbished

Walking up towards Osney Bridge

Osney Bridge - the lowest bridge on the navigable Thames!

Osney Heron (Twitter & Instagram - @OsneyBird) - Oxford's most famous heron - just caught himself a snack

Very quiet stretch just north of Oxford

Take this bridge across to Port Meadow..................

.........and this one - Bailey Bridge - to continue along the Thames Path

Cattle keeping cool

The river at Binsey

Lovely time of year for flowers

Godstow Lock with the Abbey in the background

Egret

Godstow Abbey

Very colourful!

Beyond Godstow

King's Lock - the first upstream lock with manual not mechanical gates

King's Lock - the first upstream lock with manual not mechanical gates

Lovely reflections

Wytham Great Wood

Nearing Eynsham

Looking back downstream from Eynsham Lock

Eynsham Lock

Swinford Toll Bridge - the 2nd toll bridge across the Thames

This is a great place to finish/start a Thames Path walk due to the brilliant bus service back to Oxford