So more of us today, the core three plus Jennie who had now recovered from Wednesday. Richard who was hoping that it would be shorter than Monday’s walk and Phil, a part time vicar and geography teacher.
A slightly later start as our driver had an appointment first thing and back to the end of the farm track. Pyrton proved to be a small but pretty village and we soon met the main road between Watlington and Chinor. A glimpse of Shirburn Castle was afforded to us on our left.
We set off on a well defined track which is slowly at first, and then more steadily climbing upwards, we are heading for the Chiltern Hills and we know that our route today will be more undulating and feature beech woods. Over to our left we can see Pyrton Hill. I remember taking guides up there from the camp and completing various activities.
We soon come out at Christmas Common on to the road near a junction and have to concentrate to find the next part of our route. A little confusion as the path marked on the maps doesn’t appear to be there – never helpful in wooded areas! Luckily the group at the front spot a way mark and an alternative seems to lead us to the apex of a triangle where we have walked two sides instead of the one we had hoped! We continue through a long stretch of wood. There are however very good waymarkings on trees.
Having been heading south east for quite a while we change to south west for a short distance where the Oxfordshire way and the Chiltern Way are one. There are many small villages and farms at the edge of this escarpment and also many tracks marked as named lanes. Our track splits from the other long distance path and we swing south south east both through woods and along the ridge of a spur until we meet Pishill and use the facility of graveyard benches and pews to rest for our lunch. No coat has been needed so far today which really is quite an achievement for December!
We continue southward and our path just avoids the village of Maidensgrove and is back on the edge of woods again. The Chiltern escarpment can be seen clearly and our path takes us towards Warmscombe Lane However we are heading for Bix Bottom and just before reaching this hamlet we see the ruins of St James’s Church, obviously once of great importance.
A short distance on a very minor road allows us to pick up a bit of speed before reaching Bix Hall Farm and Middle Assendon. It is up hill out from the village and reaching the top of the hill we cross Dobson’s Lane and start our descent down towards Henley. Gradual at first but a steep final section through parkland. The light again fades and we are treated to another wonderful sun set and sky. Four out of five days is pretty good plus no rain at all today!!
The path comes out abruptly onto a footpath at the side of the busy A4130 which comes from Oxford. To be walking next to cars and by shops seems rather alien after five days with very little in the way of urban disruption. However a cup of tea sitting outside a cafe in the main square with Christmas Music playing and the subtle Henley decorations is quite a festive way to celebrate our achievements. A little over 19 kilometres today and a fantastic day’s walking.
Really pleased to know that after a gap of far too many years I can still walk a reasonable distance on five consecutive days. Here’s to the next long distance path – never to late to start !
Marion's 50 Walk Challenge 