The source of a river.

[Wild-Woman]

Just wondered if anyone here has followed a river to it's source? If yes, what river and what was the source like? Living so close to Old Father Thames, near the estuary, I've often gazed across it at wondered what it is like at it's very beginning.
One of those things that would take time to do. Perhaps when I'm retired.

[agrumpycow]

Originally Posted by Wild-Woman

Just wondered if anyone here has followed a river to it's source? If yes, what river and what was the source like? Living so close to Old Father Thames, near the estuary, I've often gazed across it at wondered what it is like at it's very beginning.
One of those things that would take time to do. Perhaps when I'm retired.

I haven't but it's funny you mentioned the Thames, I've always had this thing about walking the length of it camping along the way (except the London bit, that might be a bit uncomfortable ). Living only a couple of hundred yards from it I only really see one stretch of it and have wondered what it would be like to follow it from source downstream.

[Jim Ford]

Originally Posted by Wild-Woman

Living so close to Old Father Thames, near the estuary, I've often gazed across it at wondered what it is like at it's very beginning.
One of those things that would take time to do. Perhaps when I'm retired.

How about this:

Thames Head - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Jim

[rogpow]

There's a very funny (IMHO) book by Mark Wallington titled "Boogie Up The River" in which he describes a trip from London to the source in a camping skiff, accompanied by his dog Boogie.
He's also written about walking the SouthWest Coast Path - "Five Hundred Mile Walkies" - and the Pennine Way - "Pennine Walkies" - with Boogie.

[eeyore]

Originally Posted by Wild-Woman

Just wondered if anyone here has followed a river to it's source? If yes, what river and what was the source like? Living so close to Old Father Thames, near the estuary, I've often gazed across it at wondered what it is like at it's very beginning.
One of those things that would take time to do. Perhaps when I'm retired.

julie - as you may know i'm currently the national trails officer for the thames path national trail that goes from the source at thames head (nr kemble glos) to the barrier (tho i only manage it as far down as hampden court)

pm me an address and i'll send you some literature

you can also see pictures etc here Home - Thames Path - National Trails

[Jim Ford]

Originally Posted by eeyore

julie - as you may know i'm currently the national trails officer for the thames path national trail that goes from the source at thames head (nr kemble glos) to the barrier (tho i only manage it as far down as hampden court)

That's very interesting!

I've considered the Thames Path. I would wild camp in a bivvy bag. Drinking water would be a problem - not something I usually worry about as most of my trecking is in the Scottish Hills. Do you think the Thames would be drinkable after passing through a water filter - I don't want to faff around boiling it?

Jim

[eeyore]

Originally Posted by Jim Ford

That's very interesting!

I've considered the Thames Path. I would wild camp in a bivvy bag. Drinking water would be a problem - not something I usually worry about as most of my trecking is in the Scottish Hills. Do you think the Thames would be drinkable after passing through a water filter - I don't want to faff around boiling it?

Jim

emphatically not - last time i fell in the thames i had to be treated for chlamidiya of the eye , you wouldnt catch me drinking it out of choice for love nor money.

that said drinking water isnt a problem as there are numerous pubs and shops en route plus most of the locks (which you find every few miles below lechlade which is the head of navigation) have water points.

you may find wild camping a bit of an issue tho - particularly on the lower reaches where wild is in fairly short supply - however there are a good few campsites so that shouldnt be a major problem.

if you pm me an address i'll send you our free leaflets too - if you are serious about the trip its well worth buying the thames path companion and the thames path guide which you can get from our office dirrect or via good bookshops (see the linky above for more info)

[Jim Ford]

Thanks 'eeyore'. I won't be doing it this side of next Spring, but I'll come back to you if I decide to do it.

Jim

[ron1863]

My local river, which is called the River Glazert is only about 5 - 6 miles long and runs into the river Kelvin, which in turn, empties into the River Clyde. I have followed the river to it's source, which begins as a spring on top of the Campsie Fells. The river is also fed by hundreds of small streams along the fells and from the hill on the opposite side of the vallley. During heavy rainfall the river rises extremely quickly and has flooded farmland virtually every winter.

[loripo]

Originally Posted by Jim Ford

Do you think the Thames would be drinkable after passing through a water filter

Jim

We have exploratory bore holes being sunk along the Thames in London at the moment as it is proposed to create a large underground sewer system that will take excess water and sewage away from the city when there is heavy rainfall. At present it is discharged into the river, sometimes you can smell it before it is even in the news. (I live about 300yds from the riverbank. )