Horton-cum-Studely to Thame, Friday 4 October 2013
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| Alms Houses |
A much easier start to the walk this time. We three (P, N
& T) all met up in The High in Oxford to catch the 118 Bus to Horton. Minor
concern would N arrive in time. His bus from North Oxford (Morse country) was
running late. No worries he made it with five minutes to spare which was good
because there is only one bus to Brill
via Horton in the morning. We were the only passengers as well!
Weather was a bit wet to start and the threat of showers was
ever present until midday. Discovered a bit more of Horton at the top of the
hill, some old Alms Houses (built 1639) and rather nice large houses hiding
behind towering hedges looking out on a view across Otmoor
We set off in good spirits and took the road from Horton towards
Oakley but were soon able to cross fields and get into a BBOWT Nature Reserve
on the edge of Bernwood Forest “Hell Coppice”. According to the book this is ancient
woodland. Eventually we emerged onto a minor road and continued along the
county boundary to Waterperry Common. Started to rain again but just a shower.
Straight across some recently harvested and cultivated fields. Luckily not too
wet and muddy and then we joined the Oxfordshire Way at Ledall Cottage. We were
last here in October 2008.
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| Yes - it's the M40 again |
The path crosses over the M40 (again!). Stopped to
talk to some attractive horses and then a dullish road walk into Waterperry.
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| Friendly horses near M40 |
It
was coming up for lunchtime and it was raining and there are Tea Rooms in Waterperry Horticulture Centre so what the
heck – lets have lunch - and some wine (what’s that P? recent birthday?) –
let’s share some pudding – and a coffee. Ok it’s stopped raining so back on the
trail. As N said “beats sitting in a field next to a cow pat”.
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| River Thame |
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| Waterstock Mill Cottage |
The weather and countryside improved. Crossed over Bow
Bridge near the attractive Waterstock Mill.
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| Bow Bridge over River Thame |
Headed through the quiet village
of Waterstock and across sunny fields towards Ickford Bridge to cross the River
Thame again. According to the book chaps there is an ancient stone tablet on
the bridge marking the boundary between Bucks and Oxon.
Missed it.
Sign says “Bull in Field” along with rather a lot of other
cattle. Oh well lets skirt round the area and head towards Shabbington. Saw a
couple of Environment Agency employees out to catch insects or something. They
didn’t seem perturbed by the “Bull in Field” though we suspect they didn’t see
the sign. T informed those present that EA staff have to attend a course on
dealing with animals (bulls) in fields. Apparently these two has passed with
flying colours.
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| Bucks stile |
Crossed over a few more treacherous and rotten Buckinghamshire
stiles and made it to Shabbington church for a sit-down on a welcome bench in
the churchyard and time to eat our sandwiches that should have been lunch.
The path then went through some horse paddocks. Two attractive
horses (fairly young we guessed) then thought it was time to play. The path
went through their paddock and T who had taken a wrong turn had to climb back
into their paddock. Meanwhile P & N had moved on but the horses were very
keen not to let T pass or even get back over the fence. So eventually T chickened-out and took a road
to join P & N about 1km further on.
T then discovered that he had a “Eat Natural” bar in his pocket – the
remains of the churchyard snack. Could it be that the over-friendly horses
sensed this and thought it was a treat? T likes to so!
We made good progress following the Thame Valley Walk across
more fields and yet another stile (more like a barrier) that this time
collapsed.
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| Another Bucks stile |
Then more beef cattle (cows, calves and a bull) until reaching Thame
Bypass (A418). Crossed with care (as advised by Elaine Steane) and over the
River Thame back into Oxfordshire into Thame (village or town).
It was coming
up to 5pm - time for a drink. Found the
James Figg pub in High Street (last visited in November 2008) – at least a 6 on
the basis of the beer*. Had a couple of
pints before catching the bus back to Oxford and departure to our respective
homes.
*We tried local ale brewed in Long Crendon (next village).
XT Brewery very nice but can’t remember which of their ales it was
