Thames Path 13: Dangerous Flooding from Goring to Wallingford

Day 13 of the Thames Path Sea to Source hike from Yantlet to Kemble, and floods and frozen tents are starting to be a major problem.
As well as dodging or wading the deep floods at Goring, Streatley, Moulsford, Cholsey, Shillingford and many more, I visit the castle at Wallingford, explore not one but two Brunel railway bridges at Gatehampton and Moulsford, hack through some hawthorns (hawthorn level unlocked!), find where Jethro Tull rocks a seed drill, find a Lewis Caroll rabbit hole, walk on too many roads, surveillance duck is watching you, have dejavu with a Benson Lock diversion, and end up in a cold wet flooded field.
#stealthcampingalliance #stealthfamily #thamespath #riverwalk #wildcampinguk

[@sparker68]

This may be a bit of a weird suggestion but the weight of welly's I would imagine would be a problem but I picked up a pair of cheap "crock" type slip-ons (the type with the strap you can have around the heel or over the front) they are very light and cost £4 also they seem to be moulded so basically 1 piece of plastic/rubber so drying wouldn't be an issue. combine these with a small supply of appropriately sized rubble sacks. This would give fairly waterproof (dependant on the structure of the sacks staying un-punctured) with the benefit of possible glass under the water not cutting your feet. Yes you would look pretty weird 😆. Great video as always.

[@harduphiker]

I did take plastic sandals on my Scottish trip with waterproof socks for this reason... I didn't actually encounter any bogs or streams. But I am using something similar when I go back

[@chrisprice8634]

Really good vid keep it up.
I like the sign “no camping”. Ok I will put my tent there lol.

[@harduphiker]

That's the first time ever....but I had no place to go.

[@CampingRulesOkay]

@@harduphiker I was forced to camp in the weirdest places when stealth camping across England. Funnily enough, this is very reminiscent of one.

[@CampingRulesOkay]

I love a good sketchy campsite... 😉 This was another great addition to the series, Tim 👍

[@harduphiker]

Thanks :-)

[@richardsonma1]

😂 I may be your only fan, but you have one. Thank god I'm not a stalker I'd be well and truly xxxxxx.

[@harduphiker]

Not sure only fan, but the community is small but very loyal, and I love it.

[@AnIdiotOutdoors]

Another gem of a video! If you were promoting hiking then this wouldn't be the best promotion with all the floods. Looking forward to the trip Saturday 🫡

[@AnIdiotOutdoors]

​@harduphiker I can only see it growing in strength with the content you are creating....... 🫡

[@harduphiker]

Well it is a realistic hike in March (a few bits I think are like this all year round!) so yes, I think it is not the best time to hike that part of the Thames in Spring. See you tomorrow!

[@harduphiker]

I hope so...

[@annevasey7146]

Loving this series! Tried to comment on the last one but I think I got blocked for adding a link. Look up Skinner’s footwear - they’re ideal for wading safely. I wear mine all the time for hiking (not just for wading) but I realise that’s not for everyone!

[@harduphiker]

Yes links get moderated I think, but will check that out.

[@annevasey7146]

They’re like socks but with a protective sole. I’m a fan of ‘barefoot’ footwear, so I hiked a lot of the Thames Path wearing Skinner’s - but you could just slip them over your waterproof socks as needed, then roll them up to carry. They come in a waterproofish bag.

[@realfingertrouble]

@@annevasey7146 I have water shoes now, similar idea but with waterproof socks as well. Walking in socks itself is risky on the TP with all that hawthorn