I love the paths

I love the little paths along the rivers here in Oxford. Almost daily I find another one. I've had two more little wanders around the waterways here in Oxford, very similar and yet very different. As usual, I took some photos.

This walk was Monday, I think (as you can see I'm having trouble keeping track of the days - I think today is Tuesday and the walk was yesterday). It had been a rainy day so hadn't gone out other than to get some food. Near the end of the day, I started to feel a bit stir crazy and it was only drizzling a little bit, so I grabbed an umbrella and headed down towards the end of our street. There is no way out by car, but I found a map which said there was a path so I thought I would give it a go.

I walked to the end of the street, down a very narrow street and came across a Marina. I stopped to chat to Brady, the golden retriever who barked at me and then let me pat him. Then I had a chat with his owner to find if the path I was on went anywhere. It didn't so I left the marina, and followed the road around the corner and into the grounds of some blocks of flats. There was a little sign that said "Folly Bridge" and an arrow. So I followed.

The next think I new I was here:

At spots the branches were so close they brushed against my umbrella.

I kept walking and the next thing I was wandering underneath a couple of bridges. K and I want to get me some wellies for these sorts of situations cause it was puddly and wet underfoot. I could see a footbridge on the other side of the water. I don't know what to call these bits of water. They don't seem big enough to be called rivers. I'm not sure if they are canals. But anyway, this is what I saw.

The footbridge is in the distance and the other bridge (that doesn't really look like a bridge is, I realised later), a rail bridge.

I wandered along the river for a while and then came to a large open grassy area with the funniest looking building. I didn't take a photo for some reason, but these guys were wandering around the grass and having a lovely time in the rain.

So tame were the ducks that I didn't have to zoom in to photograph them.

I walked across the grassy area and came to a major road. No idea where I were. I thought about walking down the street and figured I could find my way home, but then realising I didn't have my map with me, figured retracing my steps was the way to go. Which is what I did. Looking at the map afterwards, I'm glad i did. I reckon it was quicker than following the road would have been.

Oh, yes, I also spotted this

Aren't they gorgeous.

I was going to do two walks in one, but realised there was too much for one blog, so these will be out of order. I will do the Saturday one hopefully tonight or tomorrow. Although the plan for today is the Botanic gardens so might have a lot to write about that. We will see. Stay tuned.

Madeleine

Tuesday, 21 October 2008