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Rambling - November 2004
"Remembrance Sunday" Report

November 14th. Nine walkers and one small dog left Upper Cross at the winter departure time of 1:30 pm heading off to West Hagbourne via Shovel Stream. We might have been in a stream, an extremely muddy one, as we negotiated the sign-posted footpath leading north from the eastern end of York Road. Are the house occupant and farmer in cahoots to make this short path a struggle and steer ramblers to the bridle path?

Whatever, we wouldn't be overcome, not even by the phantom bull with its phantom cows! Passing some ferreters and with the sun brilliantly illuminating the berries on the Hawthorn trees, we made our way along the old Driftway to reach the Didcot to Harwell Road near the bridge over a multi-decibel stretch of the A34. Some yards of enforced pavement walking followed, past the old cut-off (by the A34) Harwell end of the Driftway, then a left turn alongside the brook on a pretty footpath leading eventually to Harwell's village cemetery. As is our custom with the November walk we spent a few quiet moments among the War Graves there.

Returning to the main village road via Church Lane, we struck north, not turning left by the pub like the main road does, but continuing straight along Townsend and Cow Lane. This metalled track took us over the A34 (this time in a cutting, so fewer decibels) and sloping downhill towards the link road and Milton Park.

Good views were had from here of the few surviving relics of orchards, and right the way to Boars Hill across the trading estate. Half way to the Link Road we turned right on a footpath that starts flat and muddy but soon opens out as the land gently rises approaching Didcot. Didcot A and B seem almost to be in touching distance at this point. This is the area to be built on by the huge Didcot West development so we will honestly be able to announce to our disinterested descendents that we "knew this when it was fields as far as the eye could see".

This path meets Slade Road close to the Brasenose shops where we turned right towards the Didcot Harwell Road. We crossed this to find the footpath that threads its way between Meadow Way and the Wheatfields estate. Leaving the houses behind, the path tunnels its way between hedges, spoiled somewhat by litter.

As we emerged into the open, opposite the end of Lloyd Road, the sun was on the brink of setting and we were treated to a fine pink sky. We were now on the home straight heading eastward past the Mowbray Field reservoir and back to the village cross, a distance of just over 6 ½ miles (a little under 11 km if you're modern).
(Max Beran; John Jones' November locum)

Next Village Ramble:

Sunday, December 12th - 1:30pm - Meet at East Hagbourne Upper Cross

As an extra treat, there is to be a short family walk suitable for all abilities on New Year Day, kick-off 1:30 pm.