A shorter afternoon walk today, taken from the 50 walks in Oxfordshire book and starting at Sunningwell. This village is not too far from Abingdon but more importantly was part of the way to Hill End Outdoor Centre where I had a early evening (5.30) meeting.
This is a small village and one again that evokes a few memories from the past. I haven’t been to the Flowing Well pub for a long time! The old school is now Sunningwell School of Art, nestling next to the village pond – again a long time since my last visit. I have made a mental note to find out what they are offering now that I have time to attend.
The route turns through the village and passed the school – I have been here when I had a role supporting and moderating teacher’s assessments of seven year olds – a very long time ago when I was a deputy head. Then out across some fields with huge skies today and views over towards Boars Hill.
The path comes out, goes along and then crosses the quite busy Fox Lane. With a pub of similar name, I note that it’s a while since I’ve been there !
The path leads on through fields and then a very horse orientated area with fields divided by electric fences and a great number of styles. This particular style was not a permanent structure, was quite wobbly and the signs and the attached fencing were not exactly reassuring. I’m still finding manoeuvring some styles a little tricky and combined with short legs – shall we say this section slowed me down a bit!!
Whether I wasn’t concentrating properly or the route determined by styles and fences mislead me I’m not sure but I didn’t quite come out in Old BoarsHill where I had anticipated.
This is quite a special area of some quite big houses and some cottages but really quite isolated to the South West of Oxford.
This doesn’t mean they can’t be prey to horsetails a pernicious weed that spreads evasively by underground rhizomes. Somewhat prehistoric in nature.
Or have vintage cars parked on your driveway! I had already seen a couple drive off in another model.
Next, to Jarn Mound, an area set aside to provide both a garden and a view over Oxford. The area is now looked after by the Oxford Preservation Society. Sadly the original design of the garden is now rather overgrown and although there are a long series of steep steps up to the viewing obelisk there is no longer a view over Oxford – trees grow!
As I emerged from the garden the buildings of Foxcombe Hall are on my right. At a time when I more frequently visited this area – there is an International Scout site in the close vicinity, Youlbury – this was the base for the Open University.
Youlbury has great memories of orienteering, various activity days with guides and rangers, training adults and even taking the school teaching staff there for a day of archery, team building, cooking our lunch on an open fire and some orienteering to finish off.
The field next to the road also belongs to the Oxford Preservation Society and has some dedication to Matthew Arnold the poet as well as actually having the views of ‘The Dreaming Spires’
This area is quite extensive and would be good for a wander on another day. The route turns on to Fox Lane again and luckily there is a footpath along this quite busy road. Quickly across and down Lincombe Lane. Another area of very expensive large gated properties, Foxcombe Hill now becoming Boars Hill.
Just before this turn off I’m reminded of Foxcombe Lodge where we used to go for training sessions as head teachers. Once upon a time when there was a new initiative there was full training with food included in comfortable surroundings!!!
Unfortunately the route followed the road around rather than the more intriguing path I would have liked to have taken.
However I did see a squirrel, one of many on my walks this summer. Some of the trees in this area are again magnificent. I was very reassured to pass near a Eucalyptus tree that was shedding its bark as much as the one in my own garden!
Before too long this area of housing ceased just up above the village and I was, after a short down hill stroll and through the new parking for the village hall, back to the church and to my car.
This was a shorter walk than many but was enjoyable for several reasons – the sunshine again, I have been so lucky, the memories of this area and the views over Oxford. It was 8.6 km long.
Marion's 50 Walk Challenge 