Long walk June 5th led by Chris Mansfield
Eleven of us met at the Shepherd’s Hut, Ewelme on a dry though rather cool day. We set off at 9.30 to take a path across fields behind the village before entering it lower down by the church. We then left the village again to take a level path across more fields, along a road then through woodland to reach North farm. Here we turned right onto the Ridgway where the path became more undulating with a couple of hills before reaching Swyncombe church where we had a coffee break in the churchyard amongst the oxeye daisies. The church had a kettle with tea & coffee and biscuits available for those who wished (and some did). Back on the path we had a steep uphill but then left the ridgeway to take a long downhill path giving excellent views over the countryside to finally arrive back at Ewelme (further end from the pub).
We then walked through this pretty village admiring the old almhouses, the lake and the many old houses with beautiful gardens, arriving back at the pub at 1.30 where a table had been reserved for us. A good lunch followed with lots of chat before we all set off for home.
Strollers June 10th led by Elizabeth Rouse
12 strollers met in Speen, parking near the school. Despite the forecast we enjoyed lots of sunshine if a bit windy.
We strolled down into the valley through woods from Speen and then climbed back up to enjoy a wonderful view of Flowers Bottom. The field we crossed was filled with high grass and oxeye daisies which looked wonderful in the sunshine. We then walked along Wardrobes Lane admiring the cottages and gardens we passed before turning
into woods for a pull up back into Speen. It was then a flat walk through the lanes of pretty Speen back to where we had parked our cars. Because of the undulating terrain we stopped regularly to rest and chat and to enjoy the wonderful views with the sunshine on our backs.
A very enjoyable 3.5 mile stroll.
Medium walk June 21st led by Toby Lucas
Eight walkers met up at the Beetle and Wedge pub with its scenic location on the banks of the Thames. The weather was glorious with brilliant sunshine. The walk commenced along the Thames Path before a slightly hairy few hundred meters along A329 before turning off on a path leading to the Well Barn Estate. We passed a glamping site before entering the estate on a private road. We then proceeded up the ridge which afforded spectacular views of the valley to the south. Everyone was impressed with the maintenance of the estate which, according to their brochure, “This Oxfordshire Estate offers some of the best shooting land in Southern England with one of the finest shoot lodges in the country”.
We continued up the gentle gradient to the Estate Keeper’s house where we admired the view to the south west before heading north east for our coffee break, looking north towards Didcot. Shortly afterwards we entered the arboretum with many native species planted recently by the estate. We then descended into the valley, through wheat and barley fields before arriving back in Moulsford in time for lunch. Everyone enjoyed the special location of the Beetle and Wedge as well as the hospitality (liquid and solid) of the staff. A perfect day for a walk in a special location !