I took a while to decide where to walk today, not really wanting to drive too far but needing somewhere new. After a bit of map gazing I decided to walk from Fawley – a small village off of the road between Wantage and Hungerford.
A bit of a struggle to park in the village but eventually managed and usefully clocked the path that I hoped to take for my return. Firstly the path went passed the church – quite a sweet building, it has a semicircular apse at the rear which I didn’t manage to capture.
The path took a distinct turn and headed towards the Ridgeway. Having started my walk just over the County border into Berkshire, I would soon return to Oxfordshire.
The path was on slightly higher ground and there were fine views of undulating ground and very distinct copse. This one was called ‘The Beeches’ the path is a very distinct green track, well defined, very straight and I suspect quite ancient. Some muddy and wet areas to negotiate.
The distinct line of the ancient road soon appears and as I stop to eat I feel slightly guilty that having passed the head of this track on many occasions with groups of children I had never noticed it before.
Only about 220 metres further on I can see the distinct stile where I have emerged with children having walked from Wantage via Letcombe Regis. Another 200 metres and my route turns back south west away from the Ridgeway. The space on this side is vast and habitation is so sparse. The path curves round and meets one going due south at a crossroads.
Could these be old driving roads connecting the Cotswolds to the South Coast – sheep and wool were such important commodities in the past. The wool from this part of England was often exported to The Low Countries – Belgium and Holland to be used in the production of tapestries and fine cloth.
As I’m contemplating this idea I see sheep in a field and hear cows – two large fields of them. Studying the map on return I see Warren Farm ( Beef testing centre) – I wonder if it still is and what that entails?
Also marked on the map are field systems – I was expecting to see distinct strips but instead …
Anther very distinct crossroads and I make more or less a 90 degree turn to the east. The path continues this way until it becomes a metalled road entering South Fawley.
By now it is beginning to get quite dull and it has gone past the predicted sunset time – difficult to tell the difference! My route which has been on tracks now changes to a path across fields – this is the one I had spotted earlier. It doesn’t look as dark in this shot as it was beginning to feel.
The path did diminish a bit but it was always there and lights indicated I was heading in the right direction. Trickier as I neared the village as it went through a copse and cut the light even more. One of those twilight times when a torch doesn’t really help. I emerged where I had expected and back to the car.
Really glad I made the effort this afternoon. Just over 12 km. The cloudy mizzle did turn to rain at the highest point on the way back but almost by the time I’d put on my jacket it had stopped! Quite warm though for November.
Marion's 50 Walk Challenge 