Hello James et al, I can make the 10th July (but not the 18th July) and probably any of the other dates, at the moment. I'm fine with 'heads up' breast stroke and distance / time are not a problem. Jeremy Hi James, Unable to do the 18th but the 10th would be good for me. Cheers, Jaime

From: james.lowe@datacore.com To: ossoxon@earth.li Date: Tue, 29 Jun 2010 21:50:04 +0100 Subject: Re: [OSS Oxon] Proposed 'exploratory' swim on the River Thame

Hello,

Ok let's try to nail this down in terms of dates.

I'd like to do either 10th or the 18th July and then if no one can make it 24th. Sooner than later (11th is Big Jump day and 17th is another swim for me).

Morning start (say 10am) after another recon this weekend I'll firm up where we start and finish.

Probably start here

I know Carl doesn't like it ;) but can we reply-all so those that are interested can see what dates the others are preferring?

Remember this will be the first time for all of us so I have no ideas about in and out spots, how far/short/fast/deep/shallow/hazardy this river is, so if you are in any doubts give this one a miss until 'next time' as if it proves fun then no doubt we'll do it again or we'll be able to give hints and tips to those that want them.

James

On 29 Jun 2010, at 20:34, Jaime Tinker wrote:

...

Hi there,

Not new to outdoor swimming but am to swimming in Oxfordshire. The exploratory swim sounds right up my alley and I've driven past it numerous times and considered it. I'm central Oxford and can provide transport for 3 others if needed.

I have a fairly flexible few weekends except 17th/18th July. Were you thinking of any dates in particular?

Cheers, Jaime

...

Date: Mon, 28 Jun 2010 18:56:16 +0100 From: james.lowe@datacore.com To: ossoxon@earth.li Subject: [OSS Oxon] Proposed 'exploratory' swim on the River Thame

Hello,

I have done some scouting about and around the Thame between Great Milton and where it eventually joins the Thames proper at Dorchester looking for a new and interesting swim.

I have come up with a speculative route (it could be done 'in one' or split into two parts) which I'll list below, however I have no idea if the river in the proposed part is

i. Deep enough to swim on all the way down ii. What the hazards are (if any)

There is no foot path that runs along side all the way like the Thames, but there are some parts where a foot path does come along side.

So this isn't really something I'd be comfortable doing with 'new comers' or those that don't know their own limits - so if you need to get out, how far you are from 'civilization' in case of cold or if you are nervous and would only want to swim part of it as there are no foot paths etc.

It isn't that long in terms of distance (no longer say than many of the swims we have done in the past - Buscot - Kelmscott for example) but as I simply cannot walk this swim prior to attempting it, I just am not sure how long it will take.

Hopefully I haven't scared you all off and wondered if any of you would be interested in having a go, with me on this. We would need a couple of cars (I have one) for the start/finish as walking back would be along a busy road and because of the lack of paths quite long.

One spot does finish at the pub so it isn't all bleak.

I wanted to try to get in the lesser known rivers of Oxofordshire this year and having done a big chunk of the River Windrush already in stages (which has been a 'hoot-an-a-half' so far) thought this might be a good one too.

I didn't want to advertise this as an OSS Social because I don't think this is really one for those that want to get head down and hammer along nor for those that just want a gentle plod (at least not until it has been swam once and then we will all have a better idea).

Here is are the proposed spots:

Here is a good start point

http://www.multimap.com/s/Mf9UyOf9

You can park the car about 20 yards in a lay-by and get in at the bridge. Maybe two cars max, it is a bit remote.

http://www.multimap.com/s/OZ5Q0JSB is a possible in/out point although Parking here is awkward as the river is in the grounds of the manor and although the foot path goes through it, there is a 'no parking' rule in force, it might be tricky to leave a car here, you could leave it at the end of the lane but even that is awkward and quite far away.

So we could swim on then to here:

http://www.multimap.com/s/Mf8cyBX9

A nice easy pub-by-the-river in/out point.

A bit further up is another easy in/out and park in lay-by here: http://www.multimap.com/s/Mb4T5CRC

then finally get out at the bottom of a lane here:

http://www.multimap.com/s/Na5f3JTD

You can park the car easily here - maybe a 2 minute walk.

The river is quite high at the moment, but it is a smallish one (about the size of the windrush at its largest) and I am not sure about depth all the way down, but it is a nice 'in the open and away from it all' swim.

There are a variety of paths that run alongside some of it and criss cross in places, so at a push we can get out legally.

Any one up for this?

James (aka Adam Smith)

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Please note that OSS Oxon exists to put swimmers in touch with other swimmers, not to organise swim events or in any way suggest that outdoor swimming is a safe activity or that you should go swimming. If you choose to swim you do so entirely at your own risk and on your own initiative, and any plans you make are your own responsibility.

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