Getting hotter but wanting a different tac, decided to go in the morning today and to drive a short distance. Set off on the A338 towards Hungerford and turned off for South Fawley. I’d not started a walk here although I did pass through the edge of the village on a previous walk. Bit of a false start with parking as it was politely suggested by a local that I move to a lay-by down the road ! Luckily this only added a couple hundred metres either end of my walk.
Set off in a south westerly direction from the village, down hill and then a gentle rise up again.Excited to see a roe deer come out of the first wood and cross my path but not quick enough to take a photo. Nothing too extraordinary about this path or the next section but good to be out in the open with expansive views.
Accompanied by a red kite calling but again not able to capture a good photo. This was quite an up and down track with the views of these wonderful curved contours, I guess formed by glacial melt waters.
The path went through Maidencourt Farm and met the River Lambourn – not very significant at this point but good to see some water flowing. The path I’ve chosen to take runs next to the river but with limited accessibility. It’s tempting to stop but I’m mindful that it is already heating up and there’s a long way to go.
The ground is so dry everywhere with some large cracks and although the wheat is very golden I do wonder how full the grain is – just when we need a good harvest I’m not sure we will be in luck.
The path comes out in the village of Great Sheffield and then cuts along the edge and next to the recreation ground. A large group pressed together trying to capture some shade from the trees at the edge of the field. It is heating up. Trying to remember to drink enough and also eat a bit.
The path having been very straight turns onto a road by Northfield Farm and having gone around the farm buildings looks to join the main road. The map did look as if there was a path next to the road and I was very glad to see that there was- just the field side of the hedge. This safely carried on, crossed the drive to Trindledown Farm and then turned abruptly left at the perimeter fence of their animal enclosures. This farm is a rescue and rehoming centre specialising in older animals.
Made a bit of a mistake and missed my turning right from this section of path. Followed a track alongside the wood, feared I had disturbed a kite as it was making a lot of noise and kept circling – just a bit disconcerting! The ground has changed to being very stony rather than chalky.
After not too long I reviewed and had to do a back track and then found a couple of bits of wood which was suppose to indicate a stile! More or less straight forward across to the next farm area and track. Very much back into horse country and was passed by a couple that had been ridden out. Came to what should have been an easy junction but ….
Field full of beans and not a path where it should have been. Followed a tractor spacing for quite a while down hill and then was concerned as I was off route that I would be able to rejoin my path. So had to carefully cut through the beans and back track back up hill. Why is it when you find your path it always looks that it should have been easy to spot from the start?
Looks to have been an old village here once according to the map. Now a very large stable block and a rather nice house. There are some exceptionally splendid properties hidden away in some of this countryside. Not sure I’d like the isolation though.
I followed the road out from this complex knowing that I had to turn left quite soon after the buildings. I went passed this pond and realised it was just too far. On my backtrack – again I saw the footpath sign which would have been obvious if I had walked the other side of the hedge, or been taller! the track set off almost through the garden but there was a definite stile and did then go in the right direction.
A hill back up to South Fawley and the edge of the village came into sight. It was getting rather hot now and I would be quite pleased to finish. 13.5km today and out for 4 hours. Good to see somewhere different.
Marion's 50 Walk Challenge 