So I am really very far behind with writing my blogs- consequences of walking everyday, working hard on a European Art based project and probably a bit of time wasting on my behalf- is retirement suppose to feel this pressured?!
Also I seemed to have taken far less photos in the last few months not sure why. My plan is to try to quickly write up this back log to get on to some more exciting stuff- we’ll that’s the plan.
So walk 40 was quite an interesting route, three of us again but starting this time in Abingdon – Anna, Betty and myself. Neither of the other two drive so to be fair we started this walk from Betty’s house.
A bit of nostalgia for me as this was close to my first teaching job and the roads where many of the children lived and where I first taught cycling proficiency. I suppose after 45 years in the profession lots of places or events will remind me of something.
Firstly through the Dunmore Estate and then along a section of the ring road before heading over fields to cross the A34. A lot of new building happening in and around this area. We were now heading for Sunningwell across some fields – quite a long stretched out village with some pretty houses. We cross a small Brook before passing through a narrow passage to meet the Main Street. Down another path and past the school. Yet another place from my past – as a Deputy Head teacher but new to Year 2 , I landed myself the task of ensuring that these assessments were being carried out appropriately in lots of the local, mostly small schools! I always enjoyed visiting other schools, at home and abroad.
From here the path cuts through farmland and down a significant driveway to cross a not too busy road and head towards old Wotton Village. That is in contrast to the now main part of the village which has a large pub and shops. After passing the tiny but old church it was time for more fields, this time with horses – I realised I’d walked this section before! A different track at a T junction and we are on the ‘Oxford Greenbelt Way’ – not for long as we branched off across more fields and up an incline to a wood. Lunch was calling and someone had placed some convenient logs just where we needed them!
We were now in Youlbury Wood and walking on a path that passes the International Scout Camp site and then a Carmelite Priory. We decide to come off of the road and walk through an Oxford Preservation Society area before climbing up to Jarn Mound – built as a viewing point for Oxford but with nobody accounting for the fact that trees grow.! Some of the housing on Boars Hill is ridiculously large and expensive! Across the top of the field with wonderful views across to Oxford and it’s spires and to the main road . We walk down this a short way and divert down to Foxcombe Hill.
At last I take some photos – a gate – bizarrely I have somehow followed the ‘Gate appreciation’ group on Facebook – but I didn’t post this! The second a postbox – not many George VII around – strange how he had a fancy cypher but George VI was very plain.
I’m really pleased when we have two options and the other two choose to take a steep narrow path downhill between two hedges. Our bonus as we approach Sunningwell was an unexpected Deer farm , advertising venison!
From the village we take a track as we head back to crossing the A34 – better option than the soggy field on the outward journey. instead of returning the way we had come we divert away toward Lodge Hill and Radley park – again evidence of more potential building – such a pity as the shrubby land which will be used must house a multitude of wildlife species. Bit of a silly extra but we were all enjoying being out and about. As we headed down Northcourt Road Anna decided it made sense to catch the bus there and Betty and I cut through South Avenue and past the back of Dunmore School and a side entrance , not sure if this used to exist and back to the house and my car.
Another good day and about 11 miles.
Marion's 50 Walk Challenge 