Day 1:Kemble to Cricklade

This is the day it all started, after a comfortable night in a rather old farmhouse, complete with low beams, which regularly came into contact with heads. Looking out of the window we can see that the ground is white with frost.
This is the day that we start a walk along the river Thames, no, not just a short stroll passing the London Eye or the Houses of Parliament. This is a 184 mile walk along the river Thames from Kemble to the Thames Barrier, and will finish on Saturday 4th April 2009.
Today we met outside the Tavern Public House in Kemble, a fine establishment which serves up the strange dish for a sweet known as fruited Richard? The Lord had provided for us, a clear day with the sun shining upon the gathered group. Good to know that we had some support from Stewart, Beverley, Graham, Sylvia, with Gordon McCann as back up driver, and three stalwarts from north of the Watford Gap Martyn Catterall, John Gatt and backed up by Ian Taylor.
The walk was commenced by the firing of a gun, well, a water pistol because this is about water. The leader of the Gloucestershire County Council, Barry Dare, was the man with his finger on the trigger, great news was that no one was injured during volley of water ejected from the said weapon. Barry was supported by his wife Wendy as they set the purpose of this walk into place, this is about changing the lives of people by just allowing them access to safe water.
Off the team went, the only danger was at first being run over by passing motor vehicles, but safe in the thought that if the worst happened, at least it would be a vehicle of quality that would be involved. This was an adventure as the walk left the road and walked making our way along the river Thames. With the sun beating down on us we weaved our way along the river, through gates, over stiles, passing amazing trees which have stood the test of time and showed it in their gnarled appearance. We were seeing the wonderful works of God’s hand up close and personal.
The team of walkers mixed and matched as they made their way along the river bank, good job they had consumed a hearty breakfast to fuel them in their task. They shared their personal experiences as they made their way along the path, meeting strangers along the way and getting a few of our postcards signed. At one point they encountered a rat and a crocodile, yes a crocodile, and they survived. No toads observed.
The team stopped for a well earned lunch break at Ashton Keynes, still with the sun beating down. Suitably refreshed with food and water, we set off again. There was a temptation to throw our TOTT water bottles on the road, but this was resisted. But any publicity is good publicity, or maybe not.
The day ended at Cricklade, with all people on the walk accounted for. Ah the Red Lion...mmmm