Walk 17: Maidenhead to Windsor - 12th December

The last walk of the year. When Jonathan and I originally planned this journey, this date was meant to be our final stretch, right up to the Thames Barrier to finish just in time for Christmas. That was a very ambitious target, and I think taking our time, moving with the flow of life (and the weather), has been much better in the long run.

This was Walk 17 of 25. We’re now more than two-thirds through the journey.

My husband joined us again, which meant I didn’t have to drive so I could get a bit of last-minute admin done on the way down, which is always a bonus.

Ann, Jonathan and David met us at the end point in Windsor, beneath the gaze of the castle, so we had enough cars to shuttle everyone back to the start. The town looked beautiful, with Christmas lights twinkling by the river and a Winter Wonderland marquee already set up.

To give a real insight into how glamorous this life is, Jonathan and I signed copies of our book in the boot of the car, ready for the Chester book launch next month. Unfortunately, as he stood up from signing, Jonathan pulled his back, an injury this walk was actually supposed to help him recover from. He hadn’t had pain on a walk for months, but this small movement ended that streak.

There were 15 of us on this walk - matching our biggest group so far. We met everyone else in Maidenhead by the rowing club, and it was lovely to see a mix of familiar faces and new ones. Some had joined us at the London book launch the week before and signed up for this walk straight after which was great to hear.

There was a really lovely atmosphere as we arrived, maybe the Christmas spirit helped, with Santa hats and jumpers adding to the festive feel.

Our check-in question was:

“As I’ve reflected on this year of walking the river, I’ve realised how much the river has taught me - how to navigate obstacles, how to support others, how to be supported, gentle growth and momentum, and finding the right flow.

So as we walk this final stretch of 2025 and look ahead to 2026, I invite you to reflect on the following:

What lesson might you learn from the river today if you pay attention to it long enough to hear its wisdom?”

There were some powerful responses. One that stuck with me was someone noticing how the surface of the river often gives subtle signs of what’s happening underneath. It made us all wonder about what might be going on beneath the surface in ourselves and others, if we take the time to notice.

After our last walk with 15 people, I made some changes to how we structured this one. With smaller groups, we can be more fluid and feel our way through the day. But with 15 people, we needed designated stopping points, so the day had a clearer rhythm. David, Ruth and Ann had researched the route in advance, and with a clear leader at the front and a back marker, the group felt contained but not restricted.

There were a few coaching conversations on this walk, and we brought nature into the dialogue wherever it made sense. Some people walked with one of the coaches, while others used the cards in pairs, or walked solo for some space to think. It’s always good to see how people settle into the format that suits them best.

This leg felt notably different. It’s been a gradual shift but the routes are now more built-up. Less remote. We’ve been feeling this slowly over the last few walks, but it feels clear now that we’ve left the rural stretches behind.

There were also more intrusive sensory inputs than we have experienced before. We paused under a road bridge at one point and the noise was intense - not exactly calming for the nervous system. Overhead, we could hear planes taking off from Heathrow. We’ve had military aircraft on previous walks, but those seemed like moments to stop and notice. These commercial jets were more frequent, more insistent and a reminder that we’re heading towards more urban environments now.

The weather was kind to us again. It started with drizzle but eventually cleared, revealing pockets of blue sky. At one point, the sun started to burn a soft hole through the cloud as it lowered over the river.

We stopped for lunch in a small clearing among some trees, where we formed some natural clusters, continuing previous conversations and thanks to Ann and Ruth who brought some mince pies and ginger bread biscuits we added more of a festive flavour to the gathering.

We continued along the river with the usual invitation for a silent reflective section of the walk, followed by more coaching opportunities and new coaching card selections.

As we neared the end of the route and emerged from the overhanging trees we saw Windsor Castle appear in the distance, welcoming us to the town - it was a fitting end to the final walk of the year.

At the check-out, a theme of gratitude emerged - gratitude for the chance to connect, to reflect, and to experience the kind of space that feels increasingly rare. I shared how grateful I am for the people who make these walks happen behind the scenes. The rhythm and flow of each walk, the structure and timing, and the quiet holding of the space - none of that happens by accident. We reflect after every walk to improve the next, always learning how to make it easier for people to arrive, breathe, and just “be.” One of the participants who attended some of the earlier walks commented on how much she has noticed my confidence grow since she last joined us in May and how the structure has evolved, my inner child loved the feeling like I was getting a gold star for a job well done.

After we dropped people off at their cars at the start and made our way back home, the most stunning red and orange sunset filled the sky which felt like nature setting the sun on this year’s amazing journey.

There’s now a six-week pause until the next walk - Windsor to Staine on 23rd January. I’m ready for a rest over Christmas, but I’m also quietly curious about the next chapter. The final eight walks will take us through busier, more populated places. The river is widening, gathering energy. I’m curious to see what we’ll learn 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.