Sat 26th May - Dorchester to Abingdon

Another day's walking over and that appears to be two weeks of walking completed. I don't think any of us we're quite sure if we were going to get this far. But we have, so we're feeling pretty pleased with ourselves tonight. I mentioned while walking in London when The Shard seemed to be our constant companion. Today we had Didcot power station in view for most of the day .. not quite the same thing :) Because of the layout of the Thames Path and Dorchester itself, we had walked two miles before we were actually moving away from the town. The first few miles were across meadows and given the fact we are gradually getting into more rural areas today was a first - a couple of fields of cows to walk through (and to have to watch where you were stepping!). We managed to negotiate both successfully. We had planned to stop off at the Barley Mow in Clifton Hampden but found it was shut when we arrived. However, the local post office and convenience store was a good alternative. More meadow walking followed and with a breeze today it was much more comfortable than yesterday. We stopped off at Culham Lock for lunch - somehow Sue managed to find the one shady bench to sit on. After that it was an easy walk into Abingdon where we got some cold drinks at the local Costa as we attempted to cool off. When Margaret and I arrived at our b&b (a local bistro) it had a sign up saying it was closed tonight. We phoned the owner who was on the premises and she explained there had been a computer c**k up and we were double booked. However, she had arranged alternative accommodation for us at a nearby pub. So I got my money back plus a little extra for the inconvenience. And to be honest I think we've done okay as the accommodation is superior to what I was expecting anyway. Plus, we found an Italian restaurant nearby where we have just had a fabulous meal. It would be a perfect evening if it wasn't for the fact there is a group playing at the pub tonight :( However, we do have our earplugs with us ;)