Windrush Meander: A Walk along the River Windrush from its Source to the River Thames

by Martin Marais

At some 40 miles in length, the River Windrush is the longest of the Cotswolds tributaries of the River Thames. Its source is in the heart of the Gloucestershire Cotswolds and its confluence in the flatlands of the Oxfordshire Thames basin. During its journey the Windrush flows through beautiful rolling landscapes and quintessentially English villages and towns with delightful names such as Temple Guiting, Temple Power, Great Rissington and Bourton-on-the-Water. In this guide, Martin Marais provides walkers the chance to walk the entire length of the river along a 48-mile route which he designed for his own enjoyment. Starting at the source of the River Windrush, near the hamlet of Taddington, the walk continues through the heart of the Cotswolds, through remote peaceful countryside and bustling Cotswolds towns and finally onto its confluence with the Thames at Newbridge where well-earned refreshments can be had from a choice of two hostelries. This guide contains a wealth of useful maps, information, historical facts and glorious photographs and will be a valuable companion to anyone walking the Windrush Meander.

119 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 15, 2021

About the author

As a child I was a voracious reader, but mainly of non-fiction and, living in South Africa, I had a particular interest in books about African wildlife, such as Operation Rhino. As an adult I now read more fiction than non-fiction and my favourite novels include; Watership Down (Richard Adams), The Killer Angels (Michael Shaara), Of Mice and Men (John Steinbeck), The Boy in the Striped Pyjamas (John Boyne) and Lonesome Dove (Larry McMurtry).

I have always wanted to write a novel, but for many years could not find a style or subject that enthused me sufficiently to put the time aside to write one. I have a great interest in history and one day picked up a copy of The Killer Angels by Michael Shaara. It is a wonderful telling of the Battle of Gettysburg and it provided me with an idea for the structure of my novels and also the subject matter. My debut novel, The Battle of Paardeberg: Lord Roberts’ Gambit, the story of a key battle of the Boer War in 1900, was the result.

My first western novella, The Bounty Hunters, came to me during a sleepless night. It is inspired by the Spaghetti Westerns I used to watch as a child. It is the first in a series of potentially five stories about a pair of alienated Bounty Hunter cousins who meet unexpectedly in a remote cattle town.

In addition to the western novellas, I am currently writing a novel set in medieval Europe.

When I am not writing or reading I enjoy photography, cycling and the red wines of South Africa and South America.