A shorter walk today for several reasons. Slightly achy left hip, wanted to take advantage of the drive to Blewbury and I had another appointment at 11 am. All the above concentrated the mind and I set off from the car park by Blewbury recreation ground at just gone 9 am. Quite warm but with a stiff breeze.
The first part of the walk took me up the track which starts opposite Westbrook Street and up the chalk escarpment and past the ‘chalk pits’ – famous for egg rolling and many gatherings!
Reflection- I’d been down this way with children many times, after Pilgrimage Services to Churn Knob. We used to meet there as St. Birinus preached in 635 in a bid to convert the people of Wessex to Christianity. The last time I had been on this path was with a class when we were spotting the solar eclipse and then some chalk flora. I remember it being very eerie as the sun ‘disappeared’.
I was now on new territory as I continued upwards on a very straight track towards Churn Farm, which includes an extensive stable area.
The route turned back on itself before reaching the middle of paths at the top of the downs which create so much confusion when trying to follow the Ridgeway at this point. I’m now on a very straight track heading towards Upton. Quite a few sky larks out today and of course the rather persistent cry of the ‘Red Kite’.
There are ripe crops in every direction and I should be happy that the solitude of my walk was not disturbed by combine harvesters.
Today I didn’t want to go to Upton so needed to look out for a cross roads of paths and a turning right, back down to Blewbury. Before I turned I passed a whole field of cultivated poppies, with just a few of the wild variety daring to mingle!
As I headed towards Blewbury I became very aware of Blewburton Hill which dominated the view. An Iron Age Hillfort which was occupied between about the 4th to the 1st century BC.
The most difficult part of the walk was coming out on to the main road and having to dodge on to the narrow verge every time a vehicle came along.
So the walk was about 6.75 km, slightly further than on the app – yes I forgot to turn it on again but luckily, only for about 1/200 metres! This was a good walk which could have had many additions.
Marion's 50 Walk Challenge 