Yet another 50! Walk 47- 15/07/2022

After a week of emptying out my study ready for redecoration and spending two and a half days on a residential, helping out a friend, I realised I had a race on to finish my 50 walks before a year was completed- 4 walks to do in 6 days!!!

It had been really hot all day and various tasks had got in the way of my going out, so nearly 18.30 when I set off! Still trying to find slightly different routes from my house.

I set off across the A417 and into Charlton village, passed the church and along the lane and up over Crab Hill – so dramatically different with the housing, school and I notice now a sign to a cafe, on my right. The track is still intact but I wonder how long it will be before the new road cuts across it.

Onward until I find the route of the old canal and along a stretch that looks quite different today – how life has changed for farmers as a large area on my right is now a ‘solar panel’ farm! The path from Grove joins from the left after I’ve passed through a gate and from there goes on to meet the road. From here I’m venturing into new territory. With the first section unfortunately along the road, still not too busy.

I’m turning up a track by Neville’s Farm and heading Northward towards the railway line , although I won’t go that far today. Rather disturbing local news recently about young people playing around at footpath crossing points near Grove. My turning right partly along here is not so obvious but do find the path and come out on a track over a very rickety stile.

The path should have been slightly diagonally opposite and passing on the left hand side of Pinmarsh Farm but it wasn’t there! A very large horse who was being quite lively in his field in front of the house was! Went back to opposite the stile and there was an entrance next to the hedge and alongside the ‘horse field’, separated by tape fencing which appears quite common beside horses. It was a really rough path and I did my best to traverse it as hastily as I could. The horse really was very big! Came out in the garden courtyard of the house but there then was a stile on to the next section of the path. Seemed a bit strange to have to walk so close to their living room window! A much more comfortable stretch followed.

Where this path entered the wood it crossed the old canal again.

There should have been a path straight across at this point but no! One had not been left when the field was planted, felt a bit cross at this point after the earlier path change. No choice but to walk down the side of the field and cut across at the next field boundary, a slightly longer two sides of a quadrilateral. One bonus I did see these two with their heads popping up from the crops.

Quite a few streams in this area and at the next field corner had to fight my way through and over a stone step to regain my path – not a farmer that encourages walkers !

Quite a straight forward stretch continuing across fields. Heard an owl in a beautiful oak tree, in fact there were a couple along this way. A bit disconcerted to see that the sun was beginning to set and I still had a way to go!

A more or less straight forward stretch which is joined by the road to Ardington Wick. This comes out to the main road and a bus stop opposite the main road into Ardington village. Chance to enjoy the light on this wonderful evening.

So back though the village, no diversions up to the stones this evening and back along the track to home. So pleased I was out this evening to enjoy this dramatic sunset. Rather a late evening meal though!