A different starting point again today and with a special person. Alex Jacob is a founder trustee of Batemans which is the charity I am supporting through this 50 walk challenge. Alex lived and worked for about nine years in Chennai and on returning to England she joined the teaching team where I was headteacher.
We had planned to walk from her village of Charney Bassett but our original route idea would have included a long stretch back across some open fields which in consideration of the weather we chose to abandon. We instead drove to Hartford a nearby, very small village.
Our first find was St.Michael’s Church, hidden away next to a large Manor House which could once have been central to the village. Next to the doorway was the circular mark which I think was once a scratch dial. We did try it out with a long stalk of grass and it worked so we felt sure our supposition was confirmed!!
A very short distance out of the village a path led off to our right and more or less followed the line of Frogmore Brook. This provide some occasional shade from the copse that was intermittent. On our right there are extensive quarry areas, hidden for most of our route.
The path comes out opposite the back of Wadley Manor which can be approached by the busy A420. The landscape in this area is much more Heath like than in other areas of the Vale of White Horse. This is also evident through names of various features – Hatford Gorse, Sandy Lane, Peat Bottom Wood and Sand Hill.
We took a turning right at this point,a walk along a wide track until we met a strange zigzag in the road where Barcote Lane becomes Sandy Lane! We continued more or less straight on until we came to an extensive wooded area.
We had planned to come here towards the end of the walk to gain most shade.
During our walk we had talked non stop about various educational matters but it was as we sat down for lunch that we began the hard work.
We needed to define the role and skill set for somebody to project manage the development and setting up of the new school building in Chennai, which hopefully will be started soon. The plan is to also provide some community health support, wrap around care and some teacher training. As well as, liaise with the Indian architect following the plans produced by the trust and a system for accountability and reporting.
After enjoying our lunch we turned right to follow our final path in the wood before coming out on the road at the edge of Hartford where we had left the car.
A shorter walk today, just 8.86 km but a very pleasant route and great company! Plus a great venue for a working lunch!
Back to Alex’s house for iced coffee and writing up notes from our conversation.
Marion's 50 Walk Challenge 