Starting today just outside Wallingford. Having emerged from the wood on one side of the A4074 last night we cross over and disappear through some more trees. I’m leading again today, the four ladies from yesterday but not Phil today. This is a walk of three distinct parts. We set off and it is still very frosty, the big question is what will the ground be like? I’ve worked out places to suggest for coffee stop and lunch but timing will depend on the speed we can maintain due to the terrain.
We have about 5.5 kilometres along a really straight track – Grim’s Ditch another Iron Age earth working probably built as a tribal boundary. It’s a good path but quite narrow between trees so not as sociable as it should be!
Still quite sharp but the sun comes out as we gradually walk the ascending path towards Nuffield. We will come out on the road and we stop for coffee by the church- well in a sunny spot in the churchyard! Nuffield Place was the home of William Morris of Morris Motors which he started in Oxford. He later became Lord Nuffield. Across a field and then a golf course! A helpful sign politely asks us to follow the white posts – not so easy when there is still a lingering of fog. Quite a few golfers around but we manage to cross unscathed. Through a wooded area next and then across a field.
Our next significant marker on our journey is Ewelme Park
Over to our right but out of sight is Huntercombe Young Offenders Institution- we did reflect as to whether they had the opportunity to appreciate the beauty of their surroundings. This was once a royal deer park and a Palace was built in the nearby village of Ewelme – the house we pass is now of 20th century ‘Arts and Crafts’ design.
Although the sun is out there are still places where the frost still has a hold at midday. A rather idyllic setting with the sheep – perhaps we are in a Jane Austin novel! We are now approaching Swyncombe House – an area designated in the Domesday Book along with Wallingford Castle. Much of the Elizabethan house has been replaced but it is evident from the planting of the trees in the surrounding parkland that this was an area of grandeur. The name comes from swin – wild boar and combe – valley. There is an unusually named church here of Norman origin- St. Botolph’s.
Quite a few cars parked around here and some slightly unhelpful signage – this was an intersection of our path, the Ridgeway and the Chiltern Way. Luckily I quickly realised we had set off on the wrong track and we were able to avert and find our real route. It did involve climbing over a fence which we then realised said no admittance- well they should have put up better signs! Back on track and we have a serious slope down and then an equally serious slope straight up again to negotiate. We are heading for Dean Wood and we agree to stop for lunch when we stop climbing.
I have warned the group that on hills I’m likely to be at the back- can’t quite pick up that extra bit of speed. Anyway good to let the group choose the lunch spot – a secluded clearing in the wood! After a pleasant break and emerging from the woods we set off sloping down hill towards North Farm.
The escarpment of the Chiltern Hills is becoming very evident and our third and final section for the day will soon be reached. A path that runs parallel to the road linking Brightwell Salome, Watlington, Lewknor and eventually on to Chinor. On our right are the rounded and prominent ends of various hills- Brightwell, Watlington,Pyrton, Shirburn and Bald – all forming one side of the Chiltern escarpment.
We are on a well defined track again which runs more or less straight for this last section of today’s walk. We cross the Oxfordshire Way which Anna and I completed in December and we carry on. There is mud but in most places it is possible to divert around.
As we near the end Aston Rowant National Nature Reserve is on our right. It is in this area that Red Kites, now so common in this part of England were first released. The moon is showing clearly above the still colourful hills and we continue onwards to a B road intersecting our path.
Time for a motivational biscuit before the last kilometre and a half where we go under the M40 and skirt around Beacon Hill before meeting the A40 and our lift who arrives a few minutes after us. Another splendid days walking with some magnificent views and great variety. About 12 miles/20 km today.
Marion's 50 Walk Challenge 