An early autumn walk along the river path

14 September 2026

The first cool morning of the season, so I finally did the long loop along the river instead of the usual short one. About eleven kilometres, most of it flat, with one muddy stretch under the old railway bridge that never seems to dry out.

The willows are still green but the maples near the footbridge have started to turn at the tips. Plenty of herons — I counted five — and a kingfisher that was gone before I could even point at it.

Notes for next time

• Start before eight; the path gets busy with cyclists after nine.
• The café at the far end opens at ten, not nine as the sign claims.
• Waterproof boots, even when it hasn't rained for a week.