So having promised myself I wouldn’t go out so late the next day I was all of five minutes earlier -18.24, still it is considerably more pleasant at this time of night! Not a particularly novel route today, a few tweaks to routes done before but not necessarily in this combination. An urge to go from the house again, mostly because I couldn’t be bothered to drive anywhere!
Down the track to West Lockinge and up by the Stables and Goddard’s Brook – not a path I have taken up hill much before. I’m basically heading for the Ridgeway.
Needless to say not much water In the Brook but the willow trees marking it’s path are still flourishing.
Everywhere is looking very golden and tonight there is rape seed being harvested, the process throws up quite a lot of dust but unfortunately no surprise wildlife today.
I don’t go up through the field directly to the car park but choose to divert through the wooded area which follows Grim’s Ditch, an ancient earthwork. As this comes out to meet the path down to Bitham Farm the track which I have never taken and looks to be marked as a cycle way or permissive path, also joins at this point and this is my route up to the Ridgeway tonight. A metalled track but with a locked gate at the other end and a private sign. Oh well, no harm done and a quick climb over.
So off along the Ridgeway, never really tire of being up here and again it is a beautiful evening with a slight breeze and the temperature has dropped a little. the sun is beginning to set and once again quite a long way to go!
Above Pew Farm the Ridgeway splits, the main path to the left and an alternative that leads to the Ridgeway Youth Hostel to the right. This is quite overgrown and it seems a long time since I walked this way with a group of children on route from the hostel to Lattin Down Farm and back. I’ve taken the track down towards Furzewick Farm before but it does look quite different today. Last time no crops!
The ‘chalk mine’ seems to have got bigger, I do wonder where all the chalk that is dug up goes to?
Before too long I’m down on the track that will take me back to the B4494 and the intersection with Larkhill. Again really enjoying being out in the evening, although I realise I’ve set myself up for another late meal! I’m secretly hoping for another good sunset but no such luck. A promising start but then faded to nothing!
I do really enjoy the mauves of the flowers out at the moment.
So six minutes longer walk tonight and further, not so many false starts and hidden footpaths! This time 13.38 km. Just two walks to go now in four days and lots of preparation to do for a food stall at ‘Truck’ music festival and the temperature is ramping right up!
Marion's 50 Walk Challenge 