Exploring Didcot

My new journey to work is an extra 15 minutes on the train, but it is a marvellous 15 minutes. The train line runs across the rolling green flood plain, down to the Thames, with a great view up to Sinodun fort. Mum & Dad & I walked up Sinodun fort before they went: it is basically a lone hill on the Thames river flood plain that was built into a fort in the iron age, but there is evidence of use from the bronze age. It has views from Reading to Oxford (almost), with the Thames curling around the foot. And was planted with a beech hanger in the 17th century.
The train then continues down the flood plain, crossing the Thames several times. In the morning the river is nice and misty. When it is light it is stunning. Unfortunately it isn't light much. October averages just 3.5 hours of sun a day. In December it is 1.7. I chased down the climate data after the weather people said it was going to be a cold winter, not 1962-63 cold, but 1985-86 cold. In January 1963 the average maximum was less than zero. In February 1986, the average maximum was 1. I'm a geek, I know, but I had lunch with Jo the other day and she bought this great pair of snow boots, so I had to check if I can justify buying a pair too...