Training walk – 10 May 2019

Wildflowers

Tinker’s Green and Hemdean Bottom - Friday 10 May 2019

While A was in France and N was at work, P & T were decided to do another circular “training walk”.  T dug out the “Rambling for Pleasure around Reading” booklet and proposed a walk to the north of Reading through (we quote) “the peaceful farmland and woodland typical of the southern Chilterns”. P’s friend Ln joined us with her walking poles that she swears by.

The weather looked promising, not too hot with possibly a shower or two. It was one of those days when you don’t know whether to wear a jacket or not. If you leave it off you get cold and wet and if you wear it you get too hot. Oh dear the trials of walking!

We headed from T’s house across the main A4074 to cross the Goring Heath Golf Course, across a small lane called Jacksons Lane and then down into a small valley and up to the woods of Noke End Shaw. P recognised the route as we had walked this a couple of years ago (25 April 2016 in fact). We were only about one mile from the built up area of Caversham Heights but were already in pleasant countryside with a view of the hills the other side of Pangbourne.

Trench Green

The path skirted the golf course and we headed roughly north towards Trench Green (a small hamlet). This was the first of three “Greens” that we were to visit. Bit confusing as they all begin with “T”, Trench Green, Tinker’s Green and Tokers Green. Spitting with rain, time to don the coats, in five minutes it was time to take the waterproofs off again! The walking was good, some undulations in the countryside but nothing too steep and the wild flowers were out in force. It had rained a few days earlier which had brightened everything up. We joined the lane that heads to Goring Heath and then turned off by the isolated Hodmore Farm Cottage. The path then turned across a hay meadow towards the next Green, Tinker’s Green.

Cottage, Tinker's Green

Yes it had rained the previous day as T’s trousers ended up being completely soaked through from the knees down. From this second green hamlet we headed towards Greendean Farm and crossed over the busy A4074 to the Packhorse Pub. It was lunchtime and time for a pub light lunch and a drink.  Very nice, thanks P. I think we can rate this 8 out of 10.

After a pleasant break of about an hour (possibly a bit more) and in the process avoiding another shower we upped sticks (literally) and headed East through Bardolph’s Wood. We were amazed at the height of some of the beech trees really impressive.

Trees in Bardolph's Wood

T had to admit that he had never been here in all the time he had lived in the area. The bluebells were over and starting to die back but other wild flowers were coming out to replace them.

 

We joined the lane between Kidmore End and Tokers Green and headed south into the third green hamlet. Much more built up than the others, modern infill developments, house/cottage improvements. After all this is commuter belt for Reading while still being in Oxfordshire!

Bluebells on the wane

We joined the waymarked “Chiltern Way” downhill past yet more “Escape to the Countryside” dwellings (but not too countryside) and then climbed up through a wild flower meadow to Tanner’s Lane.

Escaping to the country

Time for a breather, and some water. To the south was a view of Reading with recognisable buildings such as the Blade. We couldn’t place the large red building until later when we realised it was the recently reclad Thames Tower opposite Reading Station.

Flower meadow near Tokers Green

Followed a lane skirting yet another golf course, the well-established Reading Golf Club at Emmer Green, down to the bottom of Gravel Hill. Here we left the designated route and headed west along Gravel Hill lane to climb up to Caversham Heights again. We were now back in Reading. Gravel Hill used to be a short cut from the Woodcote Road (A4074) across to Emmer Green and Caversham Park. This rat-run has now been closed off for a few years and the tarmac surface has become covered in gravel and sand and encroaching vegetation.

Distant Reading

Using T’s local knowledge we cut through various footpaths among the suburban streets and got back in time for a welcome afternoon cuppa. As we often find, we were able to get a different perspective on the south Oxfordshire countryside. We were pleased Ln could join us. There might be some advantage to these walking poles after all!

A pleasant walk enjoying the best of a spring day. Unexpected views, good pub break and 5.75 miles (9.3km) without problems.