So only three of us today but with doing so much walking by myself it’s great to have company. Gives even familiar routes a different dimension.
Writing up this route, it’s not exactly new but I do try to put together different combinations and the other aspect of not writing up every walk is that you do forget where you have been when you are out each day!
To start the day Betty and Anna caught buses to Wantage and I had the easier task of just walking into town. We were starting with a path I’d often used before and one that Anna had been on when I’d led a previous walk.
We set off for Letcombe Regis and managed not to fall in the slightly swollen pond area where the Brook overspills – probably more hazardous at night!
Having emerged into the village we continued round passed the Greyhound Pub – which I recommended – like to put in useful snippets of information if I lead a walk! We pass the church on our right, taking a left turn up the raised path , looking towards the downs. Always a little nervous on this section with groups of pupils, one of those internal risk assessments- quite a drop, over a metre in places.
The road bends round and then round again, heading for Segsbury Camp, an Iron Age Hill Fort but we turn right along a track – quite muddy but the day is warming up quickly. A change of top layer is needed before heading up towards the Ridgeway which is our next goal.
The track heads straight up alongside a hedge and we are able to pick our way reasonably well, this is a different way than the one I had led last time, although the two routes would converge. The last time I had been in this section a week or so before I had been travelling in the opposite direction in steady rain – so anything was better today!
Quite straight forward alongside the field and then to a stile with three steps on the far side as the ground drops away! The sun often shines in this field – not too bad today. So down and up and across to a small copse. There always seems to be an abundance of wild clematis – ‘old man’s beard’. We emerge on to a field which goes down steeply and then immediately back up.
There are a couple of horses sharing this space but they are calm and content. Anna shoots up the hill, not so much showing her hill climbing prowess but horse avoidance! Another smaller field, still on an upward incline and then the safety of a flatter field with distant sheep. Across this and we meet the Ridgeway. Time for a snack stop!
A very chalky section of this ancient long distance path and now the third time Anna and I have walked this stretch together. Not expecting the next incident though!
Just walking along chatting, noticed that a bit of hedge trimming had happened and then felt a sharp prick on the bottom of my foot. Thought perhaps I trodden on a sharp stone and tried to scuff it off- no luck so had to ask the others to stop. I became aware there was something attached to the bottom of my boot.
Betty held on to me whilst Anna tugged the stick away from my boot, with some effort. A blackthorn thorn had vertically spiked my boot, through the sole and just through to my foot. Well, that was a new and not too pleasant an experience. Made me rather wary of sticks and debris on the ground, for the rest of the day.
Not much to say about the next stretch, having crossed the main road to Hungerford. Just passed the farm buildings the house that we have seen over the past year in various stages of development, appears to be finished! Good views!
Onwards past the entrance to Latin Down and then to cross the road to Newbury- the monument which we have viewed from afar is now within our sites. Our agreed lunch spot.
Grateful for my sit mat on the cold concrete seat round the base of this memorial to Lord Wantage. The Ridgeway path beyond looks splendid in the sunshine and tempts us. Amazing how quickly you cool down this time of year when you stop, so it’s good to get going again.
We have alternatives but the way I advise we go down today will takes us to Betterton and much of the track down is solid if not rather stony. My favourite route a little further along would have been rather muddy.
Good in a way to stride out and not to worry about mud. Our track takes us past a row of cottages which along with a farm and a large house is Betterton! There are glimpses into the house and a now unused gateway – photo taken about 9 days late on another walk.
This road takes us to the gates of Lockinge Church, a quick discussion as to whether we want the short or longer way back to Wantage! The longer won so we are on one of my very familiar routes around the back of the church. I do stop on this occasion to photograph the back gates.
I obviously looked at a ‘Gate appreciation’ post on Facebook and possibly liked something as it now pops up regularly. Perhaps I’ll post one day!
So through to Ardington and then up to the stones, our boots had been a little cleaner – but not now! Good to see as always. And then back down and heading back to Wantage. A quick stop at my house to change shoes and collect a parcel that needed posting before walking with the other two back into town so that they could catch their buses home.
Our route was 21.5 kilometres/ nearly 13.5 miles – great to be out in sunshine.
Marion's 50 Walk Challenge 