ALL these four intrepid adventurers wanted as a “nice hot bath and a jolly good tea”.
Not surprising really, as they had just spent six days walking a hazardous route along the River Thames.
Not for them trekking along smooth, even towpaths – they had to battle through overgrown fields, thick bushes, bogs and barbed wire.
Putting her feet up for a well-deserved rest was the group leader, Eileen Perrin, of Bicester Road, Kidlington, who helped run the 2nd Kidlington Girl Guides.
Her companions, all patrol leaders in the same group of Guides, were, pictured from left, Ann Keegan, 14, of Ben Close, Kidlington, Pauline Blake, 14, of Hampden Drive Kidlington, and Christine Weller, 13, of Oxford Road, Kidlington.
The trek, which took place in 1967, started at Thames Head near Cirencester, Gloucestershire, the source of the river, and ended 53 miles later in Oxford.
The first day, before they reached Cricklade, was the toughest – there were few footpaths and they had to bypass brambles, vicious dogs and mud.
At night, the party camped by the riverside in two tents, and cooked their meals over a stove.
Muddy and footsore, as they put down their rucksacks at the end of the walk, Christine said: “We made this trip simply as a challenge to ourselves.”
Before they started out, parents and friends had teased the girls that they would give up well before the finish.
At the end, the girls said they were pleased to have proved them wrong.
The following year, they intended to complete the journey along the Thames by walking from Oxford to London.
Did they do it? Please write in and let us know.
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