Life has got in the way of walking and I hadn’t done anything other than walk into town since coming back from Ireland. This wasn’t good as I had a big challenge coming up! So I decided I must go for a walk but it had to be a long one! Well I certainly succeeded in that – and it was the hottest week of the year!
Took a while to decide what to do – should I drive somewhere or go from home – I the end I chose the latter. Having studied the map I decided to head towards the Ridgeway and then over the other side to East Ilsley and back home ! I did measure it roughly – a bit of a shock but I decided that’s what I’d do.
So straight up Larkhill until the track reaches the road and then turns left. When the boys were younger this track always seemed a wide muddy stretch but now it has much more vegetation and the actual path is quite narrow. Next to walk upwards again and next to the gallops, as these are rounded off at the end the path turns left again and through some woods. This is a diagonal way to get up on to the Ridgeway and misses the monument. It does take about an hour of walking to get to this point.
A very short distance along the Ridgeway and then crossing over to the other side. ‘Old Road’ heads downwards for a good distance- I only discovered this great path a few weeks ago and that time I was coming up rather than down and was lucky enough to see hares playing. I love the variety of grasses that are evident at this time of the year.
The path crosses the road and I’m now going on a section which I had walked with Alex and Pete in the other direction. After a while it’s a turn left through the wood and again a track I had traversed the other direction on a previous occasion with a walk started in Farnborough. I soon get to a point where I carried on walking towards East Ilsley, I’d been at this junction before but not carried on in this direction.
I am somewhat amused at the markers showing mileage and direction which have been put in place for the Uptonogood cycle event that is due to take place the following Saturday. It was good to think that whilst I was doing the BBQ at the event I’d have some idea where the different groups of cyclists were going. I certainly didn’t envy them some of the narrow overgrown routes.
I do eventually get to East Ilsley having gone underneath the A34 as I entered the village. Cars obviously but even here hardly any people around – probably because it is so hot! The route follows one of the roads out of the village and I’m pleased to see a proper path set into the bank, parallel to the road as it was going to be a difficult walk up the road round a sharp bend.
Quite quickly the path diverts up towards the Ridgeway, luckily a gentle slope up and soon I’m back on the top. I come out on the Ridgeway at a point where it turns a right angle. This is an area of the Ridgeway walk where you have to concentrate on navigation. So back going West and the next marker would be going under the A34 again – still more cycle signs.
I’ve walked this section a couple of times and I knew that the next point was the car park. I felt I was beginning to struggle at this point – I didn’t hurt but had real self doubt as to whether I had sufficient energy to get home! I think the extreme heat was beginning to get to me, although there was a bit of a breeze. I found myself checking my map – totally unnecessary action and looking back to see how far I had come! I did tell myself there was no other choice than to keep walking! A short section after the car park there was a bench judiciously placed next to the path. I hadn’t sat down up until this point and I gave in and sat down- previously I had eaten standing up. I was aware of time as I had left rather later than ideal to do this long walk. So a sit and an apple later I set off feeling somewhat revived.
So passed the turning down to East Hendred and another car park and now looking out for the path down to Ginge that so found a few weeks ago. Really enjoyed walking down this and had a spring in my step again. There were various possibilities as I arrived in Ginge . I decided to take the footpath on the eastern side of the Brook. Nearly a year since I’d walked here – the path was good to begin with and then as before it became very overgrown – you could just see the path but due to the heat I had decided to wear shorts – good option until this point! Stinging nettles and bare legs don’t mix well! Very stung knees! Glad to see that the far end of the path was also good – that’s a bad trick enticing you in!
Over the new bridge and along a familiar track and a turn right down towards Ardington. At this point I was finding the quickest route to home. A familiar section near Barton House. I can’t resist a field of cows, something peaceful, rural and very English. By now it was just gone 8 pm and just less than half an hour to home!
This walk was 18.5 miles long – perhaps not the most sensible option for a hot day but it taught me a lot and hopefully prepared me for my next walk!
Marion's 50 Walk Challenge 