Back to walking from my house again today. It took a long time for my equilibrium to return after the journey back from Orkney. Sleeping on a boat and then nearly 12 hours on trains took it’s toll.
Having started, this walk ended up longer than anticipated, 12km in total. Taking a map only seemed to encourage me to go further!
It was noticeable how much more advanced the crops were compared to Orkney.
This walk swapped sea birds and cliffs for thatched cottages and cow parsley. Hardly anybody around all the way to West Hendred. I’d almost forgotten how far through the village the church was. I’ve always thought that this was a rather beautiful spot. I first came across it many years ago when I took my Girl Guide company from Abingdon for a weekend camp at Ardington and we then walked to this church on the Sunday and had an outdoor ‘Guides Own’ in the next door paddock. A wonderful place for reflection and appreciation.
Not wanting to take the easy way back I ventured along Ginge Brook – a very definite path but not so sure it’s all a public right of way.
Brooks are quite special as they only arise from Chalk escarpment springs. It didn’t disappoint and included climbing over a large tree trunk and at one point scrambling underneath one – unfortunately the new hips haven’t yet facilitated as much flexibility as was needed for that one – and the short legs don’t help!!
It is a wonderful meandering brook with several ox bow bends and some very steep banks. Perhaps it’s a good thing that I didn’t quite know where the boys came to play when they were younger!
Had to escape to a field side path before meeting the new bridge over the brook which I think is intended as access for cyclists through to East Hendred and on to the Harrell site. Probably a good call as the usual path down and up was always very muddy. Usually a vegetation grabbing ascent and descent.
I could have taken an easy, much shorter route back to Lockinge Church but decided to head for Ginge on the path that is above and parallel to the brook. I foolishly thought this might be quite well used but although it was well defined it was pretty narrow and yes stinging nettles are not stopped by fleeces!
Eventually coming out on the road the route was downhill to Lockinge Church and on familiar territory back round past the stables to my track and home. A little tired but glad that I’d made the most of a sunny evening after a slow start to the day.

Marion's 50 Walk Challenge 