Just when you thought life couldn't get any better, another Swim the Thames weekender!
The August Bank Holiday offers the chance to accelerate our splendid progress towards Seareach Buoy No. 1.
We will be swimming on Saturday 27th and Sunday 28th, and camping overnight if you'd like at Northmoor Lock.
*Swim 10: Saturday 27th August *Meet *9.30am *at Northmoor Lock if you're camping so we can pitch up before we swim. If that's a bit early - you can always sling the guy ropes later on.
http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?daddr=%2B51%C2%B0+42%27+56.72%22,+-1%C2%B0+22%...
If you're not camping, or just late, meet at *11.00am* at the Rose Revived Inn at Newbridge. Those of us camping will walk or shuttle up to meet non-campers at the pub.
http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?f=q&source=s_q&hl=en&geocode=&...
We'll then shuttle up to Shifford Lock, and swim down. It is the bank holiday and the river is likely to be busy so we will *try* and be prompt with this timing, and then keep a weather eye for merry boaters.
This swim is equivalent to 20 and 21 from *I Love the Thames* and will come in at a weighty 5.2km. (*Stop press! Neil has measured this at 4.25.)* We will 'land' at the Rose Revived for a hearty feed. Those camping can then head back to Northmoor Lock and low-key barbecuing may follow.
*Swim 11: Sunday 28th August *Meet at 10.30am at the Rose Revived. Those camping can walk up from the campsite (exit point), and those not camping can be shuttled back to the pub afterwards by campers.
This swim is equivalent to 22 and 23 from *I Love the Thames* and will be a sweet relief for veterans of the Saturday swim - a mere 3.2km *(3.45km by Neil's calculations)*. * If you would like to camp, please let me (Sef) know as soon as possible* so I can reserve us pitches at the campsite. It is another rudimentary lock campsite, but there are showers at the weir. They also have caravan hook-ups. Standard pitches are 15 pounds for 2 adults, a tent (or caravan, or Bertie) and a car. There are such things as mini-pitches at 6 pounds if it is just you and no car.
http://www.nationaltrail.co.uk/thamespath/site.asp?PageId=24&SiteId=602&...
Or for those seeking a more plush environment, try these campsites which are nearby (and have caravan hook-ups).
http://www.lincolnfarmpark.co.uk/
http://www.hardwickparks.co.uk/index.shtm
If you haven't joined any 'swim the Thames' swims thus far, come along for Saturday or Sunday - there's still 280km to go to the Nore!
Yours truly, always available to give watery help,
Jeremy and Sef and the tenacious tadpoles of the Thames.
Oxford@outdoorswimmingsociety.com
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