This is the walk we originally built the entire Source to Sea schedule around, the day before the Coaching Outdoors Podcast Live! Conference at Henley Business School.

Our original, rather ambitious, plan was to complete all the previous legs in time to arrive at Henley on foot, like a pilgrimage. But after our very first walk, we realised our mileage estimates were off, and there was no way we’d reach Henley by June. So, we made the decision to take the Henley section out of sequence.

We were a group of ten, including several delegates from the conference, which made it a brilliant way to connect before the two-day event began. As ever, I know I keep saying this about the walks… but this one really was special.

It was hot (pushing 30°C) and we were well-prepared with water, sun cream, hats, and plenty of rest stops. We were so lucky to have international guests walking with us too: the wonderful Marc Bowles from Canada and the amazing Amy Beth Kessinger from the USA. Being able to walk alongside them, hearing their reflections on the quintessentially English countryside, was so lovely.

I’d been ill in the five days leading up to this walk, and although I felt okay at the start, I knew I was still recovering. I was hopeful the gentle pace and company would carry me through but it became clear as the walk unfolded that I wasn’t at full capacity, which made parts of this walk feel particularly challenging.

We began at Sonning Mill with our usual orientation and check-in. The question I offered was: “As we head into this walk and the conference, what's something that's been weighing on you that you could offer to the river to carry for you for the walk?” - and the responses were beautiful. Honest, thoughtful, and a perfect opener for conversations that unfolded as we walked.

It felt very different walking this stretch out of order. The river at Sonning was noticeably wider, deeper, and even a different colour. It felt more powerful, almost like we were meeting a different river entirely.

We walked along the water for a stretch, passing swans and people enjoying the water on this hot day, and then a diversion early on, due to maintenance works along the Thames Path, led us through a beautiful wooded area with some much-needed shade from the heat. The dappled light falling through the trees and onto the path was mesmerising, and one of those small but magical moments that stays with you.

We structured the walk in the usual way, with space for coaching conversations, supervision, and the use of coaching cards to spark connection. But by the time we reached Henley town centre for lunch, the heat had taken its toll. We found a shady spot under a large tree, grateful for the break, some food, and the chance to rehydrate.

Henley itself felt very different from the other parts of the Thames we’ve walked. The regatta was on, so there were marquees, boats, and event structures all along the river. The path was bustling with people, busy restaurants, and the river was wide and busy with activity. It brought a very different energy than the quiet, open stretches we’re used to. Normally, after the lunch break, we would have a silent reflective walk but that felt out of kilter with the bustle of the town, so we opted for casual conversations instead.

To reach Greenlands, we had to walk past it on the opposite bank and loop around, making the full distance (including the earlier detour) just over 11 miles, longer than usual. A few people peeled off along the way - one had a meeting to attend, another continued along the river to the train station, and one was staying nearby, so seven of us reached the endpoint and checked out together.

This stretch also brought something into sharper focus for me, something I’d perhaps been pushing aside. I realised, as I was walking and not feeling well, how much I’ve been carrying with these walks. Not just physically walking them, but everything else: the route planning, the marketing, the logistics, leading the group, navigating, videoing, holding the structure… all of it. And in the midst of that, I’ve had little space left for the coaching - the very reason I wanted to do this in the first place.

Feeling unwell on this walk only amplified how much I’ve been holding, and how unsustainable that feels. I joked at one point that I needed a crew… and to my surprise, people responded warmly, saying it sounded like a really good idea. That moment planted a seed of an idea to open up this journey to others not just as participants, but as contributors. People who could take on small roles and be part of shaping what these walks become.

It was a milestone walk for Jonathan, his first time walking 10 miles since his spinal surgery last November, which felt like a huge achievement for him. But for me, this walk was a tough one.

I’d been ill in the five days leading up to it, and although I felt okay at the start, the heat and the extra distance really took it out of me. About a third of the way in, I started struggling. I was disappointed that I couldn’t offer the coaching conversations or hold the structure of the walk in the way I wanted to. And with such great people walking with us, I felt frustrated and a little sad. Luckily, I was staying at Greenlands, so once we finished, I went straight to bed to rest.

What will always stay with me from this walk was the sense of connection that formed on the path. It gave the conference a kind of soft landing. People I’d only just met felt like familiar faces in the crowd. We’d already shared conversations, laughter, quiet moments along the path and that carried into the event. It felt like I had a little team to check in with, and others commented on what a powerful way it had been to start the conference.

Even when I wasn’t at my best, the river still brought us together.

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