Decided to go from home again today and that I’d start by walking up the hill towards the Ridgeway- not been that way for a while. I planned to get over to above Letcombe and come down towards it from the top- not a direction I usually take.
One of the first things that struck me was how dry it was on the ground even though it had been a wet start to the day. The chalky track up Larkhill is ever changing and it didn’t let me down – one of the best aspects is the skylarks singing.
About two thirds of the way up I can look across to we’re my route will take me near Furzwick Farm – they seem to have a deep chalk pit which is very visible and a track that I followed to come out by Courthill Yourh Hostel. The hostel’s trees are clear from this view point as well – I can’t remember seeing this so clearly before- perhaps more walking has just given me a greater perception of my surroundings or perhaps it’s just that you can’t miss the white scar!
The view back down the. Hill is more familiar!
When J reach the B4494 to Newbury I cross it and head almost due West, the path joins the Newbury Road to the one to Hungerford. A pleasant route but nothing spectacular. Past the farm and the chalk quarrying is even more evident. My path cuts upwards across this field going south to join the Ridgeway.
I’m pleased that more walking seems to have improved my fitness level and I can keep going up hill for much longer without stopping. There are various routes up on to the Ridgeway but all are about 5 km and take about an hour.
At the edge of the first field going up I meet a couple and a dog and stop for a chat, I’m really hungry but need to get further up the hill before I tackle my sandwich. Not long to wait and I manage to sit with my back to a bank which gives a little protection from the breeze. Half way through and the dog and owners come up the hill- he makes a straight line to me – I think he can smell my lamb sandwich – it wasn’t for sharing!
A familiar section as I cross one more field to reach the ancient path and turn right- a familiar stretch but so often walked in the other direction. In the fields before Segsbury Camp I’m really pleased to see a plethora of cowslips – not that common any more.
Not long before I reach my favourite stile and I’m heading back down Smith’s Hill. I’m going to go down the very steep hill – there is a bit of up after the dip and then divert across towards Letcombe Basset – possibly walked this bit before but not for very many years. No white cat in the trees today! I’m happy in horse fields when they behave like this!
The path joins the road into the village and I continue down until I can see the church – take a photo and realise I’ve missed my next path so back up hill! This track takes me behind some houses and then to the original path above the brook, before they developed and regenerated this area. A good opportunity to see how other people have added to and landscaped their properties!
I decide to stay on this top path and turn right at the end towards the end of Letcombe Regis that used to host ‘The Sparrow’ pub. Again so as not to repeat my tracks I took the path into Anvil Close – assume a blacksmith once lived here. After the houses the path was narrow between a wall and hedge – glad it wasn’t dark! I had wondered whether to detour to Challow but decided as rain seemed imminent I would go back along the obvious path into Wantage.
One of those – ‘Shall I put my raincoat on?, moments. I did in the end probably a bit late! From the path back I could look over and see the familiar shape of the trees at Court Hill and noticed the ever changing colour spectrum. And a chance of a close up of a cowslip.
Again for some variety I continued on the path around the back of the leisure centre and out opposite the park. From here I took advantage of Waitrose before heading home.
Another good walk of just over 16km so a good 10 miles.
Marion's 50 Walk Challenge 