So more local this time and out for a walk with two of my walking companions. Quite a bond as Anna, Mirella and I did complete the Ridgeway together.
We start in Wantage and our first destination is the edge of East Challow, behind what was once the Goodlake Arms and up passed the primary school and heading towards Childrey. Why is this path always windy?
I negotiate a stop in the village shop in Childrey, good coffee. I usually arrive when it’s shut! We walk passed the village pond- very iconic and head towards Sparsholt. The church is a significant size for a small village – more sheep/ wool wealth, I wonder? A little community building that has the distinct look of a school – big clue round the corner – old school house!
As we head towards Westcot the Ridgeway comes into view. Our next target.
We cross the road and follow a track that takes us up, not too steeply until we reach familiar territory – the Ridgeway.
Really pleased that I chose to go on further before heading up the hill, much better route than if we had just taken the road up from Sparsholt.
We all really enjoy the Ridgeway and the weather is ideal, bit cloudy, bit bright, not too warm not to cold and most importantly no rain.
Having walked passed Crowhole Bottom we decide to find a grassy spot to sit for our lunch. We can all cope without proper seats but it does take longer to get up and down than it used too! It’s strange how some sections seem to take longer to walk. Eventually the stile for our path down comes into view. Last time I was in this field there were cowslips.
Anna has remembered that there might be horses in the next field -luckily these always seem good humoured and on the far side, munching away. After much down and then up we are back on the flat and heading towards Letcombe Bassett.
We have all noticed the abundance of rose hips this year but in fact everything seems to be flourishing.
Through the village and a familiar path back to Wantage. Today we walked 19.55 km – almost exactly 12 miles. Good company, good weather and a good route and both the other two managed to quickly catch their buses home.
Marion's 50 Walk Challenge 