Today was my longest walk yet 16 km, and from my house. I thought it was about time I got as far as the Ridgeway but rather than go straight up my hill I decided to incorporate part of a route that means quite a lot to me.
Started by walking into town and then cutting through Post Office Lane before reaching the square. Along Church Street and down Priory Road – this used to be called Back Street and the cottages were home to weavers and tanners. So then along the footpath and across to Letcombe Regis. ( There is also a Letcombe Bassett – another pair of Norman place names)
The route is one I walked every other year with mostly Year 3 pupils on their way to their residential. We used to take bags etc up to the Youth Hostel and then drive back to town, visit the museum and town then walk back up to the hostel – about 4 miles. The furthest some of these 7/8 year olds had ever walked – but we did it!!!
As I was walking along the track to Letcombe a boy came to mind – very autistic and never been away from home. He held my hand for most of the route and I had to divide the walk into chunks as the terrain changed and ‘tick off ‘ sections with him. We made it and he stayed all three nights! And we even had a snow flurry at the end of April just as we reached the village!!!
No odd weather today – unlike my previous walk in this direction I turned into the village and soon started walking passed thatched cottages.
The church is rather quaint – on one walk with children we actually found time to visit but not on this occasion.
The path continues through the village and in the direction of the Ridgeway, the road leads towards Segsbury Camp but my path diverts to the right and there is a long pleasant stretch. Always a place where school groups could relax a bit more and start chatting to friends as they walked.
Looking across to the left the larger wood hides Courthill Hostel and did in itself provide a wonderful site for many trails and fun games.
To the right Hackpen Hill can be seen on the horizon. The planted trees were I believe designed by Lord Wantage to recreate groups of soldiers?!
This is such a fertile area and the valley and area reached at the end of the path always look so wonderful.
There is a challenging stile at this point which has two high steps on one side and three plus a big step down on the other. Always a bit of a hold up!
Last time I went over this with a former colleague and her children in preparation for a Ridgeway trip it was very difficult and so painful I couldn’t walk for a while. The next field was always a good ‘biscuit’ stop. I knew what was coming next! The sun was shining and I was reminded that the first time I sat in this field in the sunshine was about 39 years ago – not with a group of children!
To add variety to the walk the path crosses this field and then cuts through a small wood. Quite a startling moment – a muntjac deer ran towards the path almost in front of me and then turned and darted away. Have to admit to a small scream of surprise. Coming out of the wood there is a steep climb through the next couple of fields. Always a challenge with a group!
Next across a large field before hitting the Ridgeway. Last time I was here it was covered in cowslips – but not today. Looking back the ‘Vale of the White Horse’ stretches afar. Over another stile and the long haul up to the Ridgeway is completed. Love this dog stile! So far today I’ve only seen one other person out walking or cycling.
The Ridgeway is a very ancient track which has been used as a communication and trade route for over 5,000 years and some of it really shows the chalk nature of the area.
Whereas on the previous walk there had been wild cherries this walk had an abundance of hawthorn. Having left it rather late to stop for lunch I diverted slightly to Segsbury Camp – another Hill Fort. Amazing to think the ditches were dug out using deer antlers. Farmers were busy moving some enormous bales of hay – they really are huge.
Back to the main path until reaching the Hungerford Road. When walking to the hostel we would turn left and drop down the hill a little but today a turn towards the right and across the road to continue along the Ridgeway.
After a while the path is joined by one from the hostel and it goes on towards Latin Kiln Farm. Again I was reminded of walking this way with groups of children to the farm. We used to build shelters, cook toast on an open fire, follow trails and many more activities.
Reflection- walking and talking with groups of children in this informal setting gives such an opportunity to find skills and knowledge that aren’t apparent in the classroom. So important as part of developing whole people not just processing them through an academic machine.
Highlight – By the entrance drive to the farm I was stopped by three red kites playing on the thermals just below the line of the path.
From this point you can see right down towards Wantage, including most of my route back down to home.
The final stretch crosses the road to Newbury and then the path leaves the main thoroughfare and the path turns left across a field down hill. This goes next to the point to point track. After a left hand turn the track meets the very top end of Larkhill and then home
Enjoyed this longer walk but I did ache a little the next day. I was surprised at how few people I saw even on the main path. And the sun shone!
Marion's 50 Walk Challenge 