Papist Way

One of my favourite launching places for my canoe, the old (long disused) ferry place by Cholsey. The narrow track of Papist Waydisappears into the river and resurfaces into the brightly lit tree tunnel on the opposite bank. From here one can paddle off to the right (South) down the ten miles or so to Reading past the fields, woods and riverside pubs of Streatley, Goring, Pangbourne etc. or head North into Wallingford. A short paddle under the stone arches of the medieval bridge and round the corner to Wallingford lock where a sympathetic Lock Keeper can usually be relied on to spare you the portage along the tow path and let you bring your canoe up through the lock, steadying yourself on the dripping chains as he lifts the paddles and the water boils under the keel. Then you have the glorious stretch up under Shillingford bridge, meandering across the meadows to Days Lock where the cows stand drinking in the river and peering out of the empty gun emplacements that still wait for the Nazis alongside the deep ditch of Celtic fortifications. Fear not England! The cows still man our defences against the Hun!