/OSS (Oxon and Reading) Team Thames is beginning the Thames trek on Good Friday - April 22nd - from the source of the Thames, close to Kemble in Gloucestershire. The first part of the Thames is not swimmable (although there may be paddleable parts), so this first stretch is a *walk* of approximately 12 miles from the source to Cricklade. / // /We will be meeting at 10am at the Town Hall car park in Cricklade (marked by green arrow)./ *http://tinyurl.com/Cricklade-TH* // /From there we will consolidate cars and shuttle up to the source. //We will park at the lay-by on the A433 (marked by green arrow), to set off at 10.30am. / *http://tinyurl.com/A433-layby* /If you would like to meet us there. There is a station in Kemble so if you are coming by train, you can walk from Kemble. / // /12 miles is a good stretch so we will leave a car half way at Ashton Keynes. If you think in advance that you might only want to do half of the walk, we can make sure the car shuffling considers this. / // /We will be stopping for a picnic lunch so make sure you bring lunch and plenty of other fuel to keep you going through the day. Check the weather reports before the day so you don't bring too much/too little clothing and of course dig out the sensible shoes. Consider minimum swim gear in case we find a deep section and fancy a paddle but remember, you will be carrying it for 12 miles. We'll be using Michael Worthington's 'I Love the Thames' book for the trip, but here are a few websites to get you in the mood:/ // http://thames.me.uk/s02380.htm for some historical and literary background. http://www.bertuchi.co.uk/Thamespath01.php the walk, more or less as we'll be doing it, an idea of what to expect. http://www.thames-path.org.uk/thames_cricklade_source.html the same walk (backwards). http://www.nationaltrail.co.uk/thamespath/index.asp?PageId=1 the National Trail official website for the Thames Path. // /The Ordnance Survey map for this stretch is Explorer 169. We will have a copy or two with us. / // /We should finish around 6pm at Cricklade. / // /Drop us a line if you have any questions, or just to confirm that you're coming. We look forward to seeing you all there. / // /Jeremy & Sef / 07989 384456 / 07949 039099 // ///By attending you confirm that you are a member of the OSS and have read and accepted the//OSS swim responsibility statement: http://www.outdoorswimmingsociety.com/index.php?p=swimming_tips&s=responsibi... <http://www.outdoorswimmingsociety.com/index.php?p=swimming_tips&s=responsibility>/