It felt good to return to the walk sequence after our detour for the Henley legs. Picking things up again from where we left off back in early June in Oxford felt like coming home to the river I’ve grown so familiar with.

Jonathan couldn’t join us at the last minute due to illness, so I led the group of seven (including myself), along with Bella the dog, who was joining us for her third Source to Sea walk with her owner. It meant some last-minute logistical changes, but thankfully we were able to arrange for another walker to meet Ann and me at the end point so we had enough cars to get everyone back to the start.

It was another warm day, and on the drive down to Oxford, I was struck by how much the landscape had changed. We’ve had around six weeks without rain, and what’s usually green and lush had turned pale yellow and straw-like and it was another visible reminder of how climate change is quietly shaping what’s on our doorstep.

Between the last walk and this one, I’d started putting together a crew, a small team of people offering their time and energy to support the journey. Four of them were with us on this walk, and it was such a relief. Someone else had taken care of the parking and meeting points, and another volunteered to lead and navigate. It took so much pressure off, which felt good.

We had one new person join us who was local to Oxford and everyone else had walked with us before, some multiple times. I’m really loving the sense of community and connection these walks are building. There’s genuine joy when I see familiar names booking on, hearing how people’s journeys are evolving, and having them return to walk alongside me and my other constant - the river.

Our check-in question for this walk was: “We’re starting at a bridge today - a point of transition. Is there anything that feels like it’s in transition for you at the moment?” As always, it surfaced some wonderful insights, and I’m continually curious about what these simple invitations unlock for people.

We began along the Thames Path, noticing how the blackberries were unseasonably ripe. The path was busier than we're used to, with lots of cyclists, their bells cutting through our conversations as we stepped aside to let them pass.

About half an hour into the walk, something unexpected happened. A bulldog, unleashed on one of the moored boats, suddenly leapt off and attacked Bella. In the chaos, Bella’s owner was knocked to the ground and bitten, and Bella was also injured. One of our amazing regular walkers bravely stepped in and managed to separate the dogs. The police were called, and Bella’s owner was taken to hospital for her wounds, which thankfully weren’t serious. She was treated and discharged the same day but understandably shaken.

We paused to check in with everyone and make sure they were okay and happy to carry on. The person who stepped in to help had a cut on his hand but was keen to continue. It had been a bit of a shock for all of us, and it took a little while to settle again.

What really struck me was how this group of seven people, most of whom had never met before, instinctively pulled together. No one needed to take charge or give instructions; we all just kind of knew what to do and what role we each needed to play. I’m still processing how that happened, but I think it says a lot about the kind of people these walks attract. Most of us are coaches or used to supporting others in some way, so I think we just did what comes naturally, quietly stepping in, offering what was needed, without anyone needing to lead.

After processing the incident and sharing thoughts during some gentle, open conversation, we stopped for lunch under a shady tree by the river. Bella had a cooling dip in the water, and her earlier shock seemed to have eased. After lunch, we had our usual 1km of walking in reflective silence, before continuing with coaching conversations using the coaching cards I bring each time. “The Owl” and “The River” were the two that stood out for people - wisdom and ease of flow unlocking some interesting reflections.

We followed the Thames all the way to Abingdon. Much of the bank during the second half was slightly overgrown, so we couldn’t always see the water, but we could hear it - boat engines, laughing paddleboarders, and even a rowdy stag do on a pirate-themed party boat drifting past us.

I noticed during the walk that there were butterflies everywhere which was fitting, as the coaching card I pulled was all about butterflies and transformation. It also happens to be the Big Butterfly Count this month, so I paid more attention to the different species fluttering past. A few of us picked blackberries along the way, one person got caught on a bramble and ended up with a few scratches for their efforts! Nature’s way of keeping us present.

When we arrived in Abingdon, we reunited with Bella’s owner, who had kept in touch with us throughout the walk. Bella was clearly delighted to see her again. We did our check-out on a picnic bench by the bridge, all reflecting on how the day could have turned out very differently and how grateful we were that everyone was safe.

The drive home was long, and I wasn’t looking forward to it in the heat, but the car’s air conditioning was very welcome after a hot, emotional day.

The next morning, I submitted a record of the incident, including the police crime reference number, and shared it with the group to make sure the account was accurate. It was also a prompt to revisit our risk assessments and make sure all our safety measures were still fit for purpose.

This walk was a powerful reminder of why we don’t take outdoor coaching lightly. It offers perspective, space, connection, and a different way to move through the world but it also comes with real responsibility. Having first aid kits, the right training, emergency numbers, and clear communication is all part of holding that responsibility with care. We can’t prepare for everything, but we can do our best to create safe, grounded experiences and continue learning as we go.

If you'd like to join us on our Source to Sea journey, you can find the latest schedule and link to book here.