Back at home and setting off from the house again. Along the track and ‘conker alley’ and then veer past the ‘Parkinsons.me garden and turn left into the woods. Further on I found some name plates for various parts of this plantation and was shocked to see it was started in 1994 – can it really be that long ago?
It is a quite well established area with an increasing diversity of bird song, butterflies and wild flowers and shrubbery. A good use of the land – rewilding before it became fashionable.
My path, there are numerous choices, took me across to the Millennium Stones.
I continued further through the wood than ever before so was not entirely sure where I would emerge in Ardington. I turned towards the end of the village and set off on the track which would eventually lead to East Hendred. That wasn’t my plan for the day and turned right by ‘The red barn’.
Interestingly there are lots of new signs for the Icknield Greenway along some of this route. The Icknield Way is an ancient path but this is different. On researching I find it is part of the Science Vale UK project and is a track that links Wantage to Harwell Science campus. This appears to be different from the Sustrans route.
Having met a track at right angles which goes across Ginge Brook I turned to the right, back towards Lockinge. When this track met the road I turned right again down the steep hill to Ardington.
I almost missed the turn to the left which runs behind Home Farm as I usually go along it the other way! Back passed the woods and the garden and return home.
It was good to be out for a walk today after being in the car back from Devon and then doing laundry on return!!
What a difference from Thursday’s walk, only 1 km less, but took 2 rather than 3 hours. Perhaps the biggest contrast is the 24 floors climbed as against more than 180!!
Very sadly since doing this walk Franky’s dad has died. This will be a tough time for her and Jack as they pick up their keys to their first ‘owned’ house on Wednesday. Sending them both my love.
Marion's 50 Walk Challenge 