Training walks (Spring / Summer 2018)

Already into the second half of 2018 and not much to report. Progress on the Cotswold Way has been put on hold until we can find a block of time to get several sections completed. Therefore, we have resorted to undertaking some local walks around the Oxford and Reading area. These are summarised below with what memories and photographs we have.

Hailey circular walk – Monday 28 May 2018

Towards Well Place

Our starting point was Hailey a hamlet in the Chilterns to the south-east of Wallingford, Grid Reference SU 6425 8586. It is well known in our circle as it is home of the King William IV pub (http://www.kingwilliamhailey.co.uk/). Many years ago, we used to journey out to this delightful “watering hole” on the occasional lunchtime from work, which was only 5km away. It was also an impressive spot to take overseas visitors to, to give them great views of the Chilterns and good beer. In those far-off days (we are talking 30 years ago) the only food on offer was a selection of home-made filled baps. These days there is a much wider selection on the menu. The view hasn't changed.

T remembered that it was where he had his “stag” party though P who was also there didn't recall it.  I can assure our readers that our hazy memories are due to passage of the years and not to the effects of drink then nor now.

We agreed to meet up at lunchtime, take in a snack and a drink before heading off on a short walk planned by P. As it was a Bank Holiday public transport wasn't too clever, so A gave N & P a lift. T was able to get a Thames Travel bus (now marketed as River Rapids) to the main A4075 near Ipsden and walked nearly 2km to the pub. T arrived first and managed to bag an outside table.

It was great for the four of us to meet up again and swop stories and news. A had got back the day before from France and N was just back from or about to go to the Caribbean on business. Discussion of “the wedding” (Harry and Megan) was frowned upon.

Chiltern view

After a pleasant hour or so we reluctantly agreed that our main purpose was to walk so we headed up the track past Hill Farm and then down the field towards Well Place. Well Place Farm (SU 6474 8527) used to be a zoo specialising in Pheasants and small mammals. It closed many years ago but was a useful place to bring young children to experience a zoo without great expense.  Our path then followed what is known as Urquhart Lane past the entrance to Handsmooth (SU 6547 8540). P & T had walked this path before on 23 September 2016, though this time P had walking boots on.

Homer farm

Our route turned north through the woods to climb up past Handsmooth (believed to be the country residence of Rowan Atkinson). It was good to be in the woods as it was turning into quite a warm afternoon. We emerged at Homer, another Chiltern hamlet, and went past an art studio, (SU 6628 8577). T recalled visiting this place, several years ago, during the Oxfordshire Arts Weeks event. There was a welcome breeze as we crossed the fields and joined the path / farm track past Upper House Farm to descend through the lovely mixed woodland of Mongewell Woods.

Unusually for us we meet quite a few people out for an afternoon walk in the glorious sunny and warm weather (little did we all know that this hot sunny weather was to continue through June and well into July). Out into the sunshine again and down to Woodhouse Farm (SU 6406 8718) where we turned south towards Hailey and back to the pub, which we knew as the King Willy or Billy* and a drink to quench our thirst. We can confirm that our designated driver, A, did not have an alcoholic drink at this time.

* Note the pub is named after the last of the “Georgian” kings. We are sure that Wikipedia has lots to say about him. He was brother to George IV, interested in naval matters, there is a big dock in Plymouth named after him, hence one of his nicknames “Sailor Bill”.

A was able to give T a lift back into Wallingford to catch the X40, on the way to return P & N to their respective homes.

Spring flowers

A very nice afternoon ramble of 4.8 miles (7.7km). OK not that far but far enough on such a warm afternoon.

Binfield Heath circular walk – Friday 15 June 2018

Our next walk was planned by T and was based on Ramble 2 in “Rambling for Pleasure around Reading”. This is described in the booklet as a “circular walk through peaceful, pleasant farmland and woodland to the west of Shiplake”. There were just the two of us, T & P.  We met up at the Sonning Common base and drove out to Binfield Heath. We parked on Arch Hill near the Recreation Ground, SU 7463 7859. (Note: there is safer parking in the Recreation Ground parking area) and followed a path towards Kiln lane.

Fields of Barley, Binfield Heath

A pleasant sunny morning and as usual we were surprised at how quickly we moved from a village lane and its now gentrified cottages to crossing a field of barley and apparently in the middle of the countryside. In fact, we were only 4km from the centre of Henley-on-Thames (as the Red Kite flies).

High wood

The path descended a gentle slope and then climbed up to High Wood. The trees offered some welcome shade from the hot sun. The path then passed what looked like a construction site but was in fact an archaeological dig site. This was a South Oxfordshire Archaeological Society (SOAG) dig of a late iron age farm house or farm building. There was a notice board nearby explaining that most of the finds had been robbed-out many years ago and that all was left was some roof debris and wall structures. It was difficult to identify the site from satellite pictures, but the approximate location is at SU 752 796.

Roots of civilization?

At the edge of the woods we turned right to go past Ash Farm in Upper Bolney. Ash Farm appeared to have converted into posh dwellings. There was certainly no farming going on.

SOAG noticeboard

Our route took us eastwards and then turned south (SU 7617 7982) to go across a field of linseed (flax). Ine mid June it was not in flower but a fortnight later T returned with Cy and found a field of blue matching the sky above. Towards the end of the field were a couple of people with a working cocker spaniel that was being trained by its owner. We spent a few minutes talking to them while the dog had a drink of water. Afterwards we wondered what their story was. Was the dog being trained for security duties? The supervisor didn't seem to be the owner and appeared to be training the owner as much as the dog.

Can you see the North Downs?

Back into Shiplake Woods and eventually out on to Kiln Lane and then Shiplake Row (SU 7586 7858). Opposite Orwell's Restaurant (previously a pub) there were some attractive old cottages and a modern dwelling of shiny metal and glass. We missed the path and had to backtrack to the restaurant and follow the path across a wheat field. There was a view to the south and we guessed it was the North Downs that were on the southern horizon. It was getting hot, so we were glad to move into the woods of Shiplake Copse and then eventually to join the road into Binfield Heath at SU 7436 7815.

Way thru the crops

It was a short walk back to car and a return to Sonning Common for a cuppa.

A very manageable two hour walk of 4.1 miles (6.6 km). The description in the booklet was accurate and T was so impressed that he and Cy did the walk again a fortnight later.