Second day of the Oxfordshire Way and we had agreed to start a little earlier. The day started with a message from the fourth participant to say that she needed another day to recover from day 1. So Annie, Anna and myself we taken to Ascot under Wychwood to start our route. A grey and damp atmosphere as we leave the village and quickly pass a Manor House and the site of a castle.
Over a bridge and off across fields again, quite muddy as we found on the previous day. The railway line curves round to Charlbury north of the Wychwood Forest and Cornbury Park. The River Evenlode meanders north of this line with our path north of that.
We continue on our way following a track which led into Charlbury- by this time we were beginning to think it was time for lunch but it was rather damp. As luck would have it we spied a bus shelter so we at least kept our sandwiches dry! Out of the village and along a track – not quite so muddy.
As we approach Hill Barn Farm Cottages there is a clump of trees to the right which look to have been landscaped. The colour of the leaves on the ground also catch the eye.
The weather although damp at times had not been too difficult so far even though we knew there was the threat of Storm Barra. The path led into and through Stonesfield and dropped due south. The landscape is undulating and extreme in this area and goes back towards the river. However instead of crossing the path turns abruptly to the left through Bagg’s Bottom.
The path is very straight and does follow the Roman Akeman Street at this point. A Roman Villa is marked on the map but no signs. Sadly the weather began to deteriorate at about this point, with rain increasing and the wind developing. We cross the road to Combe, and then have to climb steps over an estate wall which surrounds Blenheim Park.
We cross through a wooded area before the landscape opens out and we ‘fight’ our way towards the avenue of trees that lead down to the Palace. Fighting against the strength of the wind the visibility is really poor. The monument which should have been clearly visible was a hazy image. We all felt a bit low and agreed that a bit of refuelling was needed. So sheltering under a tree – well sheltering is a bit of an exaggeration- we all eat something before setting off again.
We find the wall again and the gate that leads through a community orchard and onto the A44. This is opposite a road junction and we cross onto a minor metalled road – no mud. The weather eases and as the day before the light begins to change just before 15.00 with a sunset visible.
Down a hill to the River Glyme and then back up again before a straight forward walk down to Sturdy’s Castle and our lift home.
We had walked well together and covered 20.8 kilometres – so a bit more ticked off!
Marion's 50 Walk Challenge 