The day started early, before sunrise, and as I stepped outside to get in my car, I was greeted by a stunning night sky: Jupiter, Venus, Sirius, Orion’s Belt, and the waning moon were all clearly visible, making me stop and smile as nature was already greeting me for this walk.

Jupiter stayed with me for the first 45 minutes of the drive, a quiet companion as the sky gradually shifted from deep blue through to the softer tones of dawn. The early morning stretch through the Chilterns was one of the most beautiful drives of the series so far - rolling hills, scattered clouds, and glimpses of summer’s light still hanging on. I had to remind myself to keep an eye on the road as I was distracted by how gorgeous the landscape was.

We had six walkers today - three returning and three new - which always brings a good balance of familiarity and fresh energy. Jonathan was away in Australia, but thanks to the growing Source to Sea crew, things ran smoothly. Ann looked after the parking and meeting logistics, and David led the navigation, allowing me to concentrate on holding the space rather than managing everything myself. That meant Jonathan’s absence didn’t leave quite as big a gap in my confidence as it might have done earlier on.

In fact, his absence shaped the check-in prompt for the day. We gathered under a huge horse chestnut tree, conkers already on the ground and continuing to fall around us, and reflected on what it feels like when something or someone isn’t there.

“Is there anything that’s been quietly absent for you lately - and what might that be pointing you towards?”

I love how these check-in questions help to open up the space. A little bit of vulnerability in the check-in always seems to create a more honest and open walk and provides a moment of connection before we’ve even started walking.

Nature gave us plenty to notice today. From the shiny conkers underfoot that each of us picked up just to feel their smooth surface, to the odd blackberry clinging on, the acorns scattered across the path, and those familiar willow trees that have become regular companions on this journey. One standout moment was the Virginia creeper on the far bank as we approached Goring - a deep, vivid red that stopped us all in our tracks. Another was the red kite gliding just above the trees as we ended our silent reflective stretch. There was a real sense of shared awe in those moments.

One participant reflected on how those shared pauses - moments where we all stopped to take something in - created a deeper sense of connection with the group. I’ve been wondering whether it’s the season, or the fact that I’m becoming more familiar with this river, that’s helping me notice more. Possibly both.

We walked alongside the river for most of the route, with just a short detour through Moulsford before stopping for lunch outside the Beetle and Wedge pub, with a beautiful view of the river. I’ve noticed recently how familiar the river is starting to feel - almost like a steady presence. But that familiarity also means I’m sometimes not paying as much attention to the river itself and focusing more on what’s around it. At the start it was easy to see the changes as it grew on each stretch, and over the summer, the light bouncing off the surface was hard to ignore. Now the changes are more subtle.

There were some lovely coaching moments on the walk - some 1:1 sessions with Ann and me for those who wanted it, and some powerful conversations between pairs using the coaching cards I created. Each card offers an invitation to explore something that might have been waiting for the right moment to surface. Bringing nature in to co-facilitate those conversations is always a pleasure and a privilege to witness.

As we arrived in Goring, we passed more willow trees and a beautiful weir. It feels like we’re heading into a stretch of the walk where autumn will really start to show. Some of the trees along the next leg were already turning, and I found myself wondering how different it’ll look in just a week’s time.

We timed it just right with the weather. The first drops of rain landed as we reached the cars in Goring, so we sheltered under a tree in the car park to do our final check-out. By the time we got back to Wallingford, the heavens had opened - thunder rumbling, rain pouring, and I was soaked within seconds, making the short dash to the car.

It was a quiet reminder - nature lets us enjoy these walks, but she’s still in charge.

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