Year 1 - Source to Radley

Swim 22 brings to a conclusion the first year of the Thames Swim with Swim 23 being planned for the anniversary of the first walk and therefore the beginning of year two.

Total distance travelled: 99.56 km
Distance travelled since Cricklade: 77.24 km
Distance remaining to Teddington Lock: 145.94 km
Distance remaining to Sea Reach No1 Buoy: 257.0 km

Swim 22 Track - Sandford Lock to Radley

Swim 22 Map - Sandford Lock to Radley

Swim 22: Sandford Lock to Radley

This swim found us afloat from Sandford Lock to Radley boat house, downriver a distance of 2.65km. On our left, Nuneham Courteney, erstwhile home of the Earls Harcourt, the first of whom moved the village out of the way in order to better landscape the estate. Now occupied by the Global Retreat Centre, what oneness we felt with the world when we slipped out of the water at the boathouses opposite. This little stretch was a favourite of Charles Dodson (Lewis Carroll), and he got wet here regularly with the young prototype Alice. The boathouses themselves belong to the boys of Radley College. Alumni of that fine establishment include the great historian Christopher Hibbert, the indefatiguable campaigning lawyer, Clive Stafford-Smith, England's test cricket captain, Andrew Strauss, and who could forget Richard Gibson, best known for his exceptional performance in the complex role of Herr Flick in TV's 'Allo 'Allo.

We met at Radley Station car park but you could park in the Bowyer Arms car park next door, if you prefer:

http://g.co/maps/dzmd4

We changed into our wetsuits at the station and then shuttled up to a small layby close to the finish point.  We were fortunate enough to be able to arrange with the boat house to leave a vehicle with our dry clothes in their car park, right next to the exit.  Don't try to park there without permission though.

http://g.co/maps/ked75

We then walked up to the start at Sandford Lock

http://g.co/maps/k3sa9

and swum back down to the boat house.  This is a deep water exit, so be sure you can clamber out before committing to the swim.  On getting out, we changed into dry gear at the boathouse and shuttled back to Radley for a resurrecting lunch at the Bowyer Arms. 

Swim 21 Track - Kennington to Sandford Lock

Swim 21 Map - Kennington to Sandford Lock

Swim 21: Kennington to Sandford Lock

The last of the swims of our first winter, the distance was about 1500m.  We met in the car park of the Kings Arms at Sandford-on-Thames:

http://g.co/maps/mgz3t

We then walked upstream to the entry point at the little beach here:

http://g.co/maps/tqhab

and then swam back to the lock next to the pub, taking care to keep to the left route to avoid the weirs.

The car park costs £1 for 3 hours which will be refunded by the pub if you eat there.