Mon 28th May - Oxford to Bablock Hythe

The hotel last night was very comfortable - so nice to have a little luxury on the way. A taxi ride back into Oxford and having met Sue at Osney Bridge we set off with the sun shining yet again. Within minutes we were walking through meadows with cows grazing and coming to the river to drink - hard to believe you are so close to the city centre. We passed Godstow Abbey .. the Trout Inn (venue for last night's dinner with Alan & Diana) was closed so we pressed on. Under the A34 (with it's constant traffic noise) and soon after we reached King's Lock which is the most northerly point of the river. Some more meadow walking after that and then for a change, some light rain. Unfortunately, it didn't last long and the sun soon came out again. :( The path skirts along the edge of Great Wytham Wood for a while then after a short diversion along the road you are back to riverside walking. Well, until you get to Pinkhill Lock that is. Because there is no ferry at Bablock Hythe, the path does a long diversion away from the river at this point. You cross a large number of fields using paths, bridleways and sometimes making your own path, with only occasional glimpses of the river or it's tributaries. Navigation was challenging at times on this part but I must have managed to translate the guide book and maps properly because eventually we came to the road leading to Bablock Hythe and back to the river.