My train journey from Bristol to my departure point Swindon was delayed by 2.5 hours due to a broken down train, but the glorious weather, recently returned, made the morning festive and even the chaos of cancelled trains felt like an amusing entertainment in the balmy morning. Set off from Swindon about 11.30 in the end. An "interesting" urban landscape. Heading north toward Lechlade through the lovely Nightingale Woods on smooth tracks, no one much around. After Sevenhampton it feel like the Cotswolds. Up Coleshill, quite steep, for a view back south West. 

A short push onto Lechlade for the first stop, by the Thames at this historic "inland port". 

No kids jumping off the bridge into the water. Too early in the day probably. 

Excellent sandwich and tea at the Tea Chest cafe next to the Riverside pub. Highly recommended! Very fair prices (contrast Burford, see later ).

Continued north, skirting Eastleach and crossing A40 to Little Barrington, then right on the idyllic Route 57 along the Windrush in to Burford. What a culture shock following a few hours of bucolic tranquility to run the gauntlet of this chocolate box town invaded by cars and tourists. £21 for a slice of tart and a side salad, WTF! Burford get a grip!

Tamarisk heading north from Burford:

Now a slow and weary haul up to Long Hanborough and a pause at the little train station.

Next heading south downhill through Cassington to meet the A40 for a final 20min slog along the dual carriageway footpath in to North Oxford.

By 6pm I was revitalising on mugs of a special Booth's blend of Lapsang/Earl Grey