Many of my walks have been routes I’ve generated myself and then I realised I had a copy of 50 walks in Oxfordshire sitting on my bookshelf! So I thought I’d give one of these a try. Walk 28 – Abingdon.
The walk actually started in Sutton Courtenay – another village with a Norman name, by the village green. Some very old, attractive and expensive houses in some parts of this village. The path was tree lined, next to the road and had been cleared to expose the cobbled pathway. A turn towards Drayton and Milton and then quickly alongside Ginge Brook – a continuation of this water source which starts below the Ridgeway.
Having made a couple of poor path choices, I really wasn’t concentrating I returned to the side of the Brook and was thinking it would be a great place for children to play- turned the corner and they obviously had the same idea!!
Having left the water, followed an unspectacular track, walked along a road where I felt obliged to keep climbing onto the verge, I crossed the Drayton road again and set off for Oday Hill. These flowers did brighten my way and it was interesting to see gravel pits that had become naturalised.
Here the path diverted across fields towards South Abingdon. So far I hadn’t been very impressed with the route but as I negotiated chickens my memory flashed back to a time when I had taken my Ranger Guides to a riding stables very close to my path.
I was by far the shortest of the group but because I was the grown up I was given the biggest horse! We were doing various exercises on them and I got told off because I hesitated and didn’t dismount backwards over it’s huge behind quickly enough. – I was much more comfortable with the idea of Italian cooking which was their next request!!
The path led across several fields and I was struck by the way that trees can regenerate themselves from a seemingly dead trunk. Also the variety of greens in this array of trees – looking for positives!
The path eventually led to the bottom of an estate, once well known to me, as this was where I was a deputy head teacher. Certainly not the most attractive of areas and certainly one of the most deprived.
As has often happened on these walks memories are dredged from the depths and I recall walking through this estate with groups of children – one time to go to the fair which was in town and look at the mechanisms used to drive the rides so we could replicate these in a design and Technology lesson.
Also a child came to my mind who at 6 during circle time and talking about aspirations said he wanted to be a robber when he grew up. Having explained that might mean he went to prison he replied that that was okay as his friends would get him out! I did seem his years later and he did say hello!!
And then the route emerges by the River Thames! What a contrast.
As I’m walking along this stretch into Abingdon itself I suddenly recall this is where the deputy head from my first school- at the other end of Abingdon used to live. He diversified and wrote Oxford Reading Tree books – a diet which has helped many children to learn to read. Well done Biff and Chip!
A last look along the river before diverting into a strange and interesting triangle nestling under St. Helen’s Church. The town seems to have become accomplished at putting out information boards since I last had a wander round.
The dark header bricks are a local design also found in Wantage. They almost have a layer of dark shiny glass on the exposed surface due to being fired at a higher temperature. So many times I had been to this church for services with the Guides but not stopped and looked for a while.
I walked up West St Helen’s Street but diverted down Edmund’s Lane towards the site of the old Morland’s Brewery that closed in 1999. ‘Old Speckled Hen’ may be a familiar name. I quite like the architecture of more industrial buildings and I also reflected that this little row of cottages was probably built to house important workers.
Back out onto Ock Street and the County Hall comes into view. This now houses a museum, somewhere I haven’t been for a long time. On special occasions the local councillors throw buns down from the roof for people to catch.
My lasting memory was not of buns but very cold feet. A Guide Association cake sale for my group 2nd Abingdon, in about November – standing on stone slabs under the arches – my feet really were like blocks of ice and it took all afternoon to thaw out – frost bite must be terrible!
Around the corner are St.Nicholas Church and the Guildhall and then towards the river the old Gaol – reminding us that Abingdon – on – Thames was once the county town of Berkshire. It has charters for markets and fairs and is one of the most ancient sites of a town in the country.
There is also a site of a medieval abbey ruins which includes a small very unique theatre, all next to a small diversion from the Thames which included a water wheel.
Over the bridge well almost before cutting down some steps to the tow path and under the bridge. First a glimpse towards the lock. Salter Steamers run boat rides to Oxford from this area.
There are often boats moored near the bridge but this drew my attention due to the obvious liking of ducks!
The Thames path now follows the river towards Culham and on one of my walks I traversed in the opposite direction. The wharf buildings, now regenerated serve to show that this might have been quite a busy area in former times.
Just when I was returning to my thought of was this a good route I found there was something of interest to see! There were cars parked on the flood plain fields and then an intensity of fishing gear, expensive trolleys and then a group all standing around a net being weighed with a woman recording the score – this was the only woman evident amongst this group along the banks. There were pegs with numbers at regular intervals.
Further along towards Culham I was told by one fisherman that this was a three day competition. He had arrived at 8.00 am and didn’t get to his plot until 11.30 – a big process of draws for three sections of river! Not much luck today but the heavy rain of the morning had stopped and he assured me it was better than being at work!!
Other people used the river in a more leisurely way. Plus another majestic swan – well they are all property of the Queen!
I did start to make a mental note at this point that it was getting dark earlier and I must take this into consideration over the next couple of weeks. It certainly was quite dull as I walked towards Culham Cut, with trees creating a gloomy arch way and water on both sides of the path. The bridge over the cut to the lock was soon reached.
My last stretch was across to Sutton Pools where the Thames splits and there are numerous channels and backwaters before re-emerging after the lock. To negotiate these there are a series of weirs to cross, probably not somewhere to be in the dark. I did spot a heron again! Some of the houses from Sutton Courtney village have great gardens leading down to one of the back waters. Lots of boats moored along here!
One final bridge and I was back out onto the road and close to my car. As I walked passed one of the pubs I noticed it had adverts for a Deli counter – that clearly says something about the level of affluence!
So the walk today was 13.4 km, dull to begin with, I enjoyed Abingdon and I hadn’t walked by Sutton Courtney Pools for a long time. Yet again a route that evoked many memories.
Marion's 50 Walk Challenge 