From Source to Sea

Notes from a 215 Mile Walk Along the River Thames

By: Tom Chesshyre

Narrated by: David Thorpe

Length: 10 hrs and 9 mins

Publisher's Summary

Over the years, authors, artists and amblers aplenty have felt the pull of the Thames, and now travel writer Tom Chesshyre is following in their footsteps. He's walking the length of the river from the Cotswolds to the North Sea - a winding journey of over 200 miles. Join him for an illuminating stroll past meadows, churches, palaces, country (and council) estates, factories and dockyards.

Seeing some familiar sights through new eyes, and meeting a host of interesting characters along the way, Chesshyre explores the living present and remarkable past of England's longest and most iconic river.

©2017 Tom Chesshyre (P)2017 Soundings

Too many dated political references

Ten years ago I both ran and cycled the complete length of the Thames Path (in segments over a period of eighteen months) and so chose this title hoping for a little fond reminiscence.

It was certainly nice to be reminded of many fascinating pieces of trivia, (for example, its name changes (briefly) to Isis as it flows through Oxford, the Magna Carta was signed on (or near) its banks, and that Staines-on-Thames was built on the profits of Linoleum).

Sadly, much of the enjoyment in the book is spoilt by numerous references to the UK's referendum on European that had taken place the year before the book's publishing, moanings about the results of which have long since become tedious and serve only to date the book terribly. One takes to the Thames Path (and by extension, books about the Thames Path) to forget (temporarily) about the woes of the world, not to dwell upon them.

Very enjoyable romp along The Thames

Very good listen, superbly read by David Thorpe who I have to say, having heard him several times now, is brilliant.
Takes into account the people, the places, with a good dose of humour, which by the sounds of it is essential for this journey.
The one thing that gets on your nerves is dear old Tom banging on about Brexit...why? Get over it Tom, we have had the vote,don't let it get to you...This aside it was still a good listen, but I have scored it 4 stars for the story as he let himself down with the politics.

I think Tom could become a name for the future, he has the attention to observe people and the places he visits spot on and I wish him well.

Bizarrely self-indulgent

The author's obsession with the specifics of the pub lunch menus and service - as well as Brexit, as another reviewer comments - at the expense of actually telling us anything about his surroundings, left me bored and confounded. Like Bill Bryson without the jokes or the cultural insights.

Bad language, didn’t finish

Maybe I missed the warning about bad language but the author was quoting conversations he came across and it was f this and f that so I gave up. There’s no need for that kind of language.

Great Book Delivered Perfectly

I purchased this book after completing the walk, I wish I had it before. This book was suggested to me by a stranger while I was on the walk. Although I didn't follow his exact path, I recognized and related to many things in this book. This book would be great for anyone thinking of doing the walk.

Great book

Hope to follow in the Authors footsteps very soon with the guidence of his book

Good listen

Great listen. Does exactly what it says on the tin, a diary of a walk highlighting lots of local interest along the way. I recently purchased "Watling Street" and was slightly disappointed as it was full of the author's ramblings about local celebrities.