Tuesday, January 6, 2009

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Rambling - October 2004 Report

October 10th. A partly sunny, dry day with loads of wind from the east and 16 ramblers ready for a decent walk. We headed to Upton via the left at Shovel Spring and then out of Upton crossing the Reading Road to follow the Hollow Way due south. This is a long, straight track that rises some 200' from the road and provides excellent views to the north and east. The views were particularly clear thanks to the strong wind that had been blowing for more than 24-hours.

Hollow Way is eventually joined by Boham's Road and a little further on there is a bridleway on the left which goes into the yard at Churn Farm and turns left again to run north-east alongside Churn Hill. We were greatly entertained by the 'residents' on our left: It seems that a nursery for pigs has been established in the great rectangle bounded by the bridle path, Boham's Road and Rose Cottage. There were at least 25 'family units' along this stretch each with a fearsome Mommy and countless (8 to 12) piglets. The adult pigs were fenced in the normal way, one to a unit. However, the piglets were free to run under the fence, between the family units and, indeed, even along the bridle path and up the flanks of Churn Hill. Pandemonium probably best describes the sight before us: there were piglets of all ages and sizes running everywhere accompanied by the raucous sound of the mothers either telling them to get out of family units where they didn't belong or to come back to their own areas!

We continued on our way, unmolested, and eventually re-crossed the Reading Road going onto Westbrook Street in Blewbury and then followed our familiar route back to East Hagbourne via the old BSW (site of) and Fieldside to Church Lane and finally to Upper Cross. We covered seven miles in 2½ hours, stayed dry and had a great deal of fun.

We have a guest leader in November and a new leader means new surprises! Why don't you join the fun. Note the earlier time. Summer and summer time are but a memory.

Next Village Ramble:

Sunday, November 14th - 1:30pm - Meet at East Hagbourne Upper Cross