Hi Bryn,
I haven't had a swim for a long time as I had twwin boys in July but I live ten mins walk away from the Hotel and would love to accompany you for a dip. As James said, there are rowers on that stretch and it may be quite busy on a saturday, especially as the weather is improving and there are regattas starting but we could swim a bit further yet towards Port meadow, I've been there several times, last when I was pregnant in the summer. Let me know as it depends on how much time you have, the walk would take about half an hour but it's a lovely walk! All the best, Jenny
On Mon, Mar 7, 2011 at 8:08 PM, James Lowe James.Lowe@datacore.com wrote:
Bryn,
-----Original Message----- From: bryn dymott bryn.dymott@btinternet.com Date: Mon, 7 Mar 2011 14:00:05 +0000 To: James Lowe james.lowe@datacore.com, OSSOxon@earth.li Subject: Saturday morning, Oxford?
Hi, anyone likely to be in the Thames in Oxford this Saurday morning? I have the pleasure of an overnight at the Four Pillars Hote,l off Abingdon Road (opposite the Hinkey Pool) Friday and wondered if I could gate crash a cold water plunge before I get off home to the Great Ouse?
It looks like the river runs adjacent to the grounds of the hotel - anyone know if this is a good swimming spot?
Regards all, spring is a coming - sometime soon, Bryn
The water literally next to the hotel is not the Thames proper, that's a few hundred metres east - not sure what exactly you are looking at as I haven't been to the 4 pillars to stay. I haven't swam that part (we plan to do this stretch sometime this year swimming the Thames between the Oxford Ring Road north to south) but have swum extensive north of the city so I expect it to be similar, but I expect this will be busy with rowers - probably - you can see the boat house on the other side of the river but swimming wise, if it is anything like the Thames further up it will be fine, the grounds that are either side are owned by the colleges so you don't tend to get the detritus you can on more public ground.
The public foot path is on 'the hotel side' of the river so you can walk back all the way, what I am not sure about are access points in and out.
Hope this helps.
James
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