LIFETIME of WALKS by DEREK HARWOOD

Sally parked at Benson and I drove us to Culham Lock. Started walk from lock and walked down stream alongside fields of crops towards railway bridge near Appleford. Wild iris flowers by river bank and cattle in river shallows having a drink. Didcot Power Station prominent to south as we approached Long Whittenham weird where ive rested at the start of the Clifton Cut for lunch. Continued along cut past Clifton Lock, where we sighted a red kite, to the gothic red brick elegant bridge at Clifton Hampten. Caution required while crossing the single file road bridge, best to wait for the traffic lights to change. Old toll house at Southern End of bridge surprisingly has several stuffed animals in show cases, easily seen from the door. Noe on the south bank of the river a mysterious monument is soon passed on the north bank. As we studied the monument for a short while a family of great crested grebes swam by the north shore reeds. Many impressive north shore residents as we passed Burcot Village, again of the opposite rive bank. As the rive curved round to the Castle Hill, passing dyke hills and approaching day's weir, a tree had recently fallen and partially blocked the path between the bushes. We got past, but had to crawl. Crossed the weir bridge and days lock with a short delay for photos, then to pill box by hedge and main road. Short detor from river along road to Shillingford village, right turn down Wharf Road, passing Wisteria Cottage with its wonderful showing of Wisteria, to a welcome bench by the river. The resident of adjacent, Shillinford Court was not happy for some reason and wanted us to continue our walk, so he started his noisy petrol lawn mower. We grudgingly moved on along the walled passages to Shillingfrod Bridge, after observing the historic dated water level marks on the wall with amazement.

Location Map: - Start: at Culham - Finish at Benson
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